Yorkshirepub owner Bill Ramsbottom is finding the introduction of the "telly" has ruined his business at the "Bull & Cow". When he receives a cable from Canada, and learns that his grandfather "Wild Bill" Ramsbottom has left his estate to him, he confers with his family before deciding to set off for the frontier town of Lonesome in Canada to claim his inheritance.
When all the family fortune is gathered together, there is not enough money to pay for tickets on a steamship for everyone. Ramsbottom and his mate, Charlie Watson, stow away in big steamer trunks but are discovered by the crew. Made to work their passage, Charlie and Ramsbottom end up as culinary servers on the voyage. When the captain realizes that "Wild Bill" Ramsbottom's grandson is aboard, he allows him to travel as a passenger.
Arriving at Lonesome, Ramsbottom learns that part of his bequeathment, is that he is the new proprietor of the saloon, which also comes with the job of deputy sheriff in the lawless town. The feared outlaw Black Jake also claims he owns the saloon, but more importantly, wants to locate a hidden map that points the way to a uranium mine on Indian territory.
Ramsbottom and Black Jake have a confrontation at the saloon where the outlaw is arrested, but is later set free. When the map turns up, Charlie and Ramsbottom head off into Indian lands to locate the uranium mine. They run into Indian chief Blue Eagle and the local tribe.
When Black Jake rounds up his gang, a shootout takes place at the saloon. With the help of townspeople and the RCMP, Ramsbotttom is successful in defeating the outlaws and establishing peace in the town.
Sabrina received a special billing, despite her minor role.
Production
Ramsbottom Rides Again was filmed at Beaconsfield Film Studios, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, England.[3] The animated opening scene shows a Yorkshire landscape of homes with television aerials popping up, setting up the initial conundrum for the Bull & Cow pub.
Music
Frankie Vaughan, in his film debut, sings "This is the Night" and "Ride, Ride, Ride Again."[4]
Critical reception
The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "Those amused by Arthur Askey's particular brand of unsophisticated clowning will no doubt find this film funny. To the uninitiated, it will probably appear only as a shapeless hotch-potch of weak slapstick, doubtful music-hall humour, old gags and unsuccessfully aimed satire. Sample joke: 'What's uranium?' – 'Use your cranium – it's the stuff they put under Geiger counters to make them tick'."[5]
In British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959David Quinlan rated the film as "average", writing: "Broad English version of Destry Rides Again, on the juvenile side; Jerry Desmonde very funny as Indian named Blue Eagle."[6]
TV Guide gave Ramsbottom Rides Again one out of four stars, calling it "A barely funny British parody of the American western."[7]
Sky Movies rated it three out of five stars, and wrote, "There are quite a few laughs in this broad English version of Destry Rides Again ... Lots of good-natured, juvenile fun ... with Sidney James getting in some practice for his Rumpo Kid in Carry On Cowboy by playing Black Jake. Norman Wisdom's sidekick Jerry Desmonde is very funny as an Indian named Blue Eagle."[9]
References
^Porter, Vincent. "The Robert Clark Account." Historical Journal of Film, Radio and Television, Vol. 20, No 4, 2000, p. 509.
