Riding High (1943): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 1943, Riding High is a comedy, music and western film directed by George Marshall, running about 88 minutes. “Paramount's Rhythm Rodeo in TECHNICOLOR... Heap hep songs... Heap hep squaws... Heap hep laughs!” — that tagline sets the tone.

What it’s about. No relation to the 1950 Frank Capra film of the same name, the 1943 Technicolor musical Riding High is a by-the-numbers vehicle for Dorothy Lamour and Dick Powell. Lamour stars as Ann Castle, a former burlesque queen who heads westward to claim her father's silver mine. Powell plays mining engineer Steve Baird, who like Ann has a vested interest in the worked-out mine. With the help of genial counterfeiter Mortimer J. Slocum (Victor Moore), Steve and Ann are able to peddle mining stock, thus saving her from bankruptcy. The stockholders are in a lynching mood when it appears that they've been flim-flammed, but a last minute "miracle" saves the day. Featured in the cast are Paramount stalwarts Cass Daley and Gil Lamb, the former doing her quasi-Martha Raye act and the latter swallowing his harmonica for the millionth time. Production values are excellent and the songs are exuberantly performed; it's only in its hackneyed plot that Riding High slows to a clip-clop.

Who’s in it. Riding High stars Dorothy Lamour as Ann Castle, Dick Powell as Steve Baird, Victor Moore as Mortimer J. Slocum and Gil Lamb as Bob 'Foggy' Day, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 4.0/10, Riding High has proved divisive with audiences.

Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Riding High page.

If you liked it. Fans of Riding High tend to enjoy Forrest Gump, Parasite, Life Is Beautiful and Fight Club.