Ride Tenderfoot Ride (1940)

Intro.
One recurring theme in Gene Autry's pictures is that of a cowboy who must venture into the city for some purpose.  It's an old story, really, something like the city mouse and the country mouse children's story.  Usually the cowboy feels out of place in the city, and when he returns to the range with a city-dweller, the roles are reversed.  As always, the cowboy saves the day as the whole party rides out into the West.  The idea plays on our ever present dream of going West - out where there is land and opportunity, even golden prospects.  It is there that the heroic cowboy, acting as a symbol of all hard-working Americans, can beat any number of "city-slickers."  Such is the theme behind Ride Tenderfoot Ride, one of Gene's most entertaining Westerns.

Overview
The film itself has a pretty standard plot - a man dies and leaves his packing plant to Gene Autry, a man no one seems to be able to find.  As it turns out, Gene is working as a cowhand for the plant's competitor.  At least, was working until a misunderstanding occurs with his boss Ann (played by the always wonderful June Storey).  They part ways, but not for long, as Ann's little sister Patsy runs away only to meet up with Gene, who of course helps her get home.  Ann and her partner, Don Gregory, try to convince Autry that they were friends with the man who left him the plant, and that they were going to consolidate their businesses.  Autry agrees to sell his plant to them, but when he finds out they intend to shut it down and put all the workers out of jobs, he fights it.  He manages to get the contract revoked and then the fun really begins as he and Ann start competing head to head to sign cattlemen.  They are now in Gene's territory, out in the small towns in cattle country.  Gene is really at his best as he tries to out-sell and then out-sing Ann.  It turns out then that Don Gregory is less than honorable, and Gene must save the day.  In between fist fights and Frog Millhouse's shenanigans, Gene still has time for some great songs including the title track as well as the classic "When the Work's All Done This Fall."

Highlights
This film really highlights the city mouse/country mouse tale.  It is clear in a few scenes especially, such as when Gene and Frog are invited to the nice city house of Ann.  There they stick out like sore thumbs among all the citified gentry, right down to their clothes and manner of speech.  Gene is told there and a few other times that he'd be no good behind a desk.  Frog stands out more than Gene, mainly because of his naturally awkward presence.   

I really want to note how great Mary Lee is in this film.  I've really started to admire her, not only as an actress, but also for her voice.  As Ann's little sister she is hilarious, even more so when she runs away and tells the airline that Gene is her new husband (only because newlyweds get 2 rides on 1 ticket).  Later she shines again during a duet with Gene.   

Finally, Gene is not the soft, shy cowhand he can sometimes play.  He's ready to meet Ann's challenge in business.  There's one scene where Ann has taken over Gene's singing street show in order to get business away from him.  A group of older townswomen are talking about how disgraceful it is for women to act like Ann.  I thought for sure Gene would stand up to them and explain, but instead he says "I absolutely agree with you.  It is disgraceful, isn't it?"  That gets him the contract, as the women force their husbands to side with Gene instead of Ann.  June Storey should also get a lot of credit, as she is much tougher and independent than most women in Westerns.  She has to prove that she can make it in a man's world, and she does.  In the end it all works out too, as Don Gregory is finally brought to justice and Gene gets not only the plant, but the girl too.

Recommendation
I loved this movie.  Not only is it a great example of the classic city and country folk swap, it showcases both Gene and Mary Lee's beautiful singing.  The story is well worked too and has a good pace.  And above all, you have to root for Gene - the hard working cowboy who overcomes the crooked city businessmen.  He is  the rugged individual against the corporation and he triumphs.  Now that's a happy ending.