The Over-the-Hill Gang Rides Again

We watched this back-to-back with The Over the Hill Gang ... both available on Amazon Prime. We missed Pat O'Brien from the first movie, and I'd still like to know what kept him from being in this one ... unless the budget just wasn't large enough to carry both him and Fred Astaire.

I'll have to be honest. Fred didn't add much to this picture. Although he was a good actor, they gave him very little to work with here. All the juicy lines and action fell to Walter Brennan and Chill Wills, with a bit of "can't see well" humor falling to Edward Buchannan.

And, there wasn't really an overarching story line like the original. Still, it was fun to watch the old favorites gather, and we're glad we saw it.

As far as the plot goes, "The Over the Hill Gang Rides Again" should not be compared to Westerns of its time period, but rather with those of the 1920's, 1930's and 1940's which is what this film is a tribute to. Back then you either liked Westerns or you didn't. One did not really care too much about the plot, they were for the most part rather simple and interchangeable. The story here is basically one of trying to restore the reputation of an ex Texas Ranger, played by Fred Astaire. What sets this film apart, and why the film should be reappraised is mostly due to the once in a lifetime Western film fans dream cast. Not many can compare with it(except maybe "The Bounty Killer"[1965] which had Broncho Billy Anderson, Bob Steele, John Mack Brown and Rod Cameron). OK, first of all you have Walter Brennan. He can be found in Westerns as early as 1927 with "Ridin Rowdy" and then later in classics like "Red River"(1948), "The Far Country"(1955), "Rio Bravo"(1959), "Support Your Local Sheriff"(1969) and his not to be forgotten Oscar winning role in "The Westerner"(1940) in which he played Judge Roy Bean. Speaking of Judge Roy Bean, the actor who portrayed him in the same titled early 1950's TV series, Edgar Buchanan is next in the cast line-up. His credits include "When the Daltons Rode"(1940), "Abilene Town"(1946), "Shane"(1953), "The Comancheros"(1961) and "Ride the High Country"(1962). Lana Wood may not be a household name, but not only was she in one of the most well known Westerns of all time, "The Searchers"(1956), but also in the remake, which was titled "GrayEagle"(1977). Next in line is Chill Wills, who by himself, can make any film fun. His presence can be felt in "Way Out West"(1937), "Western Union"(1941), "Rio Grande"(1950), "The Alamo"(1960) and "Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid"(1973). Then there's Andy Devine who was in "Destry Rides Again"(1932) with Tom Mix, "Stagecoach"(1939), "Two Rode Together"(1961), "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance"(1962) and played the sidekick in the TV & radio series "Wild Bill Hickock". And rounding out the cast of Western vets is the actor who played the part of Chester in the radio version of "Gunsmoke", Parley Baer. It should also be mentioned that Andy Devine acted with Buchanan previously in "When the Daltons Rode" and Chill Wills had appeared with Brennan before in "The Westerner". And as a real curio, making his debut in a Western film is Fred Astaire, who had teamed with Brennan before also, in a non Western, "The Story of Irene and Vernon Castle"(1939). The closest Astaire had come to a Western was in the "Daddy Long Legs"(1955) DREAM SEQUENCE playing a Texas millionaire wearing a cowboy hat and boots! Did Fred ever sport a mustache before? Yes, in the BABBITT & THE BROMIDE # from "Ziegfield Follies"(1946) and in the CLAP YO HANDS # from "Funny Face"(1957). As a final note, the same year that Mr. Astaire acted in his only Western, his dancing rival Gene Kelly participated in HIS only Western, "The Cheyenne Social Club", as director!

After getting a message stating that an old colleague by the name of "The Baltimore Kid" (Fred Astaire) was about to be executed in Waco, Texas for bank robbery, a former Texas Ranger named "Nash Crawford" (Walter Brennan) decides to ride out there to see what he can do. Joining him are some of his fellow Texas Ranger comrades "Jason Fitch" (Edgar Buchanan) and "Gentleman George" (Chill Wills) who also hope to testify as character witnesses. To their surprise, once they get to Waco, they are told by an old acquaintance named "Amos Polk" (Andy Devine) that The Baltimore Kid had just been lynched a couple of days earlier and his grave is on the outside of town. Needless to say, they are quite saddened by this news and, to help ease their sorrow, they decide to head over to the local saloon to commiserate with one another. While there, they each happen to see an extremely intoxicated man who looks exactly like their long-lost comrade. And it's then that they realize that the bank robber who was lynched was an imposter and that their friend is alive and well. The only problem, however, is that the gang who robbed the bank think that Amos Polk knows where the money is and that, to get their hands on it, they to kill the former Texas Rangers in the process. Now, rather than reveal any more, I will just say that this was an adequate sequel to the previous film with both Walter Brennan and Chill Wills putting in solid performances overall. Admittedly, although some of the scenes were rather light-hearted, the comedy itself wasn't very sharp or unique. Even so, it managed to pass the time well enough, and I have rated it accordingly. Average.

this sequel to the original movie was a bit better,i thought.the story was more interesting,and there were more funny moments.there is less action than the first one,but that didn't make much difference to me.the same characters are back.(Nash Crawford)Walter Brennan,(Jason Fitch)Edgar Buchanan,Amos Polk(Andy Devine) and Gentleman George Agnew(Chill Wills)are all in good form here,but it is the addition of Fred Astaire which makes the movie.Astaire steals the show,in my opinion.like the first movie,this one is a lot of fun,and suitable for most family members,probably anyone 10 or older.for me,The Over the Hill Gang Rides Again is a 6.3/10

The top supporting actors of mid-20th century Westerns return in this TV movie sequel, "The Over the Hill Gang Rides Again." Walter Brennan, Edgar Buchanan and Chill Wills head for Waco, Texas, from their respective towns of retirement. An old friend and comrade from their Texas Ranger days is in trouble. "A friend" sent Sgt. Nash Crawford (Brennan) a note, telling him that The Baltimore Kid is in trouble.

Well, Nash rounds up Jason Fitch (Buchanan) and Gentleman George Agnew (Chill Wills) so that the former Texas Rangers can go to the rescue of one of their former comrades. It turns out that the "friend" who sent the note is Amos Polk (Andy Devine). He had been on the wrong side of the law in the first film, but turned a new leaf in that film, and now was a newspaper publisher in Waco.

The new guy in the cast of old-timers is a very familiar face to movie buffs, but someone no one would imagine being in a Western. Fred Astaire plays The Baltimore Kid in the only Western film he ever made. And, his role is very funny and much better than the other top role that Pat O'Brien had in the first film. It may be irreverent to call Astaire a "hoofer" for a career as perhaps the greatest male dancer in the history of Hollywood. But, one thinks that the agile Astaire wouldn't mind in this case, and would even get a kick out of it, where he stars in a film with so many four-legged hoofers.

The plot of this film has a little intrigue and is more interesting than the first film. And, it has a nice little twist at the end. Here are a couple favorite lines from this film.

The Baltimore Kid, "Well, I used to be able to hit the head of a nail at about 50 feet. Now I'd shoot my foot off."

Nash Crawford, after The Kid is sober and cleaned up, "Let's face it. We got a one-day reformed drunk wearin' new clothes."