Melody Ranch - 1940

Gene Autry, Jimmy Durante, Ann Miller, Barton MacLaine, Vera Vague, George "Gabby" Hayes Synopsis: Popular radio entertainer Gene Autry return to his home town, Topedo, as the guest of honor of the Frontier Days Celebration. He is also honorary sheriff. Cornelius "Cormey" J. Courtney (Jimmy Durante) insisted that Autry accept the invitation, for he believes the publicity will counterbalance Autry's damaged reputation since Julie Shelton (Ann Miller), a debutante with theatrical aspirations, has been in his programme. Songs: Melody Ranch Never Dream The Same Dream Twice Torpedo Joe What Are Cowboys Made Of Rodeo Rose . Call Of The Canyon Back In The Saddle Again Vote For Autry . Welcome Back Home Go Back To The City Again . My Gal Sal Review: ""Melody Ranch", Gene Autry's latest with Jimmy Durante, is unfortunate for both the popular singing cowboy and the loveable hard-working comedian. They just weren't made to be in the same picture. Republic's fancying up of the old western formula results in an almost unbearably slow moving vehicle. Durante gives the picture an occasional shot in the arm but the effect wears off and the film relapses into listlessness when he disappears from the scene. Ann Miller is a decorative young lady and a fast stepping dancer but she has to go about registering "love'" so much that you'll have an urge to yell "cut" to the cameraman. (Two stars **)" - Wanda Hale, in the New York Daily News (1940)