Feudin' Rhythm

Sure, it's a cornpone musical, but Eddie Arnold's warbling is clear as a bell. Plus, he gets to do his signature Cattle Call tune twice, so fans like me should be happy. The plot is just about non-existent. Something about competing with highbrow buffoons for TV time. Yes, it's only 1949, yet TV's already taking the place of radio. And get a load of rotund little Dick Elliot. He's got the most distinctive laugh in filmdom. Here he just about blows away the movie set with gales of guffaws. Then too, I really like Carolina Cotton. Her yodeling is pitch perfect, plus she's got a sparkling personality. And credit Kirby Grant who carries what acting is needed. Okay, the movie probably played a dozen southern theatres. Still, the 60-minutes never lags and where else can you see and hear the great Eddie Arnold. Maybe there're no Oscars, but at least it's a pleasant little blast from the past.

Hello, Along with Roy Rogers, Eddy Arnold was my hero! I was 12 years old when I saw this movie and naturally I was crazy about it! Wish I could see it again and hear Eddy in the old days. I watched him and listened to his music all through the years. He retired in the late 90's but still has his music out there for us to enjoy! Thanks for listening. Florence Forrester-Stockton Reno, Nevada

Peculiar co-feature with comedy and songs served as a showcase for the singing talents of country-and-western star Eddy Arnold, who performs three songs and also gives a soft-spoken performance modeled on his own laid-back persona. The muddled story has something to do with a musical cowboy radio program whose host is hoping to move the show to television; unfortunately, his producer (a society matron with high artistic ideals) would rather hear Shakespeare than cattle calls. Arnold (strumming on a monogrammed guitar) is told to scram by the old battle-axe for fear of upsetting her bratty nephew, who is actually Eddy's son from a marriage that ended with the wife's death (apparently during child-birth). Interesting that a widower father would not be allowed to raise his own child, nor be welcomed to take part in the youngster's life! This little hellion (known for playing corny pranks and yelling "Bo-i-i-ing!!") is a nuisance, though Arnold's polite under-playing is a welcome relief to the slapstick chaos. The other musical acts (such as a hillbilly duo named Mustard & Gravy, who do one scene in black face!) are fairly forgettable, as is Gloria Henry playing a secretary (she's dressed to kill, but runs around answering phones and patting people on the back). Only worth-seeing for Eddy Arnold-buffs and B-movie masochists. *1/2 from ****