Watch Ridin' on a Rainbow

Ridin' on a Rainbow is a classic Western musical film that was released in 1941 starring Gene Autry, Smiley Burnette, and Mary Lee. Directed by Lew Landers, the film follows the story of a singing cowboy who tries to save a family's ranch from being foreclosed by a ruthless banker. The movie begins with Gene Autry playing himself as a famous singer who is on a tour. Along with his best friend, Frog Millhouse (played by Smiley Burnette), and their sidekick Tadpole (played by Joe Strauch Jr.), Gene stops by a small town where he meets Mary Lee (played by Mary Lee), a young and talented singer who is struggling to keep her family ranch. The family's mortgage is held by a greedy banker named Wilson, who is planning to foreclose on the property in order to get his hands on a valuable oil deposit located on the ranch.

Gene is immediately smitten with Mary Lee and decides to help her save her family's ranch. He offers to buy the mortgage from Wilson, but the banker refuses to negotiate. In order to raise the money needed to pay off the mortgage, Gene and his friends perform a series of musical numbers in the town's saloon. The performances are a huge success, and they raise enough money to buy the mortgage from Wilson.

However, things don't go as planned as Wilson, who is actually a con artist, tricks Gene into buying a fake mortgage. The banker then plans to acquire the ranch through other means. When Gene realizes that he has been tricked, he becomes determined to save Mary Lee's ranch and bring Wilson to justice.

The story takes some interesting twists and turns as Gene and his friends try to navigate through various obstacles along the way. With Mary Lee's help, they uncover the truth about Wilson's deception and expose him for the crook that he is. In the end, justice prevails, and Mary Lee's ranch is saved.

Ridin' on a Rainbow is a typical Gene Autry movie with catchy songs, thrilling action scenes, and a heartwarming story. The film showcases Autry's musical talents and his charismatic screen presence. His smooth baritone voice is showcased in several classic songs, including the title track "Ridin' on a Rainbow," "That Little Dream Got Nowhere to Go," and "The Cowpoke Polka."

The movie also features Smiley Burnette's comedic talent, as he provides a good balance to Autry's straight-laced character. Mary Lee's sweet and innocent portrayal of the young singer adds an air of authenticity to the story.

One of the highlights of the movie is the stunning landscape of the California mountains where the movie was shot. The outdoor scenes and the scenes of horseback riding are beautifully captured, giving the audience a taste of the Wild West.

In addition to the musical numbers, the movie also includes some thrilling action sequences, including a chase scene where Gene and his friends are pursued by Wilson's henchmen. The suspenseful climax, where Gene and his friends confront Wilson in a showdown, is also well-executed and adds to the overall excitement of the film.

Overall, Ridin' on a Rainbow is a classic Western musical that is sure to entertain fans of the genre. It's a fun and feel-good movie that showcases the talents of Gene Autry and his co-stars while delivering a satisfying story. With its catchy songs, exciting action scenes, and stunning visuals, Ridin' on a Rainbow is a must-see for lovers of classic Hollywood cinema.

Ridin' on a Rainbow is a 1941 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 15 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.5.