Where in blazes is "Smoky" Callaway? The onetime B-Western singing star is riding high via TV airings of his old flicks, but he's been missing for a decade. If he doesn't turn up soon, promotional whiz kids Mike Frye (Fred MacMurray) and Deborah Patterson (Dorothy McGuire) will lose their meal ticket. So they turn up the next best thing, Colorado cowpoke "Stretch" Barnes (Howard Keel), an uncanny lookalike who fills Smoky's boots surprisingly well. But the humble hick could be headed for a fall. Found down Mexico way by his conniving agent (Jesse White), the real Smoky (a second helping of Keel as a boozing Hyde to Stretch's Jekyll) emerges from exile to reclaim his newfound acclaim and income. Cameos from Clark Gable, Elizabeth Taylor and Esther Williams (and a small early role for Stan Freberg) are sprinkled among hilarious observations of branding and celebrity media malarkey in this breezy bauble written, produced and directed by Norman Panama and Melvin Frank (The Court Jester. Li 'l Abner). Crowd-pleasing comedy is this-a-way.
C**G
Good satire of early days of television
The movie was inspired by the tremendous popularity of Hopalong Casssidy westerns on tv in the early 50’s. At one point, movies starring “Hoppy” might be showing on three stations simultaneously, and cowboy merchandise in the Western hero’s favorite color (black) was hugely popular. All this is well portrayed in the movie. It runs down a bit toward the end, but if you are into ‘50’s Americana, this movie is for you. Go, Hoppy! Ride that hoss!
J**T
Excellent Movie
I first saw this movie about 20 years ago on tv. Have been looking everywhere to buy it since then. I was so surprised to find it at Amazon. I love this movie. Very cute, happy ending. Makes you feel good to watch it. Buy it, you can't go wrong!!!!!!
S**K
Wow! What a great, wonderful surprise this movie was.
As a collector of old movies, I buy a fair amount of duds. This was NOT one of them. I always enjoy Fred McMurray (except when he plays a heavy, which he rarely did). This movie is a clever take on the television Westerns that were popular until Sputnik. At which point, America went space crazy. This comedy is WAY above "B" picture level, with a fun, snappy script."Callaway Went Thataway" is a gem that will not fail to delight and amuse you. This a warm, funny movie that pokes fun at Hollywood superficialities and contrasts them with the genuine values of hometown America.My only disappointment is the physical disc, a DVD-R. A pressed disc is always best. (They are bright silver on the back.) If a studio feels they MUST burn a disc, M-Disc should be utilized. A burnable M-Disc costs about a dollar more but it will last for CENTURIES. This movie is burned on the old-fashioned, purple dye type disc that will only last 5-10 years.Until recently, the Amazon description would tell whether a disc was a true DVD, or a "Made on Demand". DVD-R. It appears they no longer do this.If this review was helpful, please click on the link below.
N**N
Quirky and so funny—not at all what you’re expecting!!
Wonderful quirky movie we stumbled across on TCM one night. Stars Howard Keel, Fred MacMurray, and Dorothy McGuire. Made in 1951 and is good quality.A takeoff on the old cowboy westerns. About an old cowboy whose a has been, and they’re trying to get him in condition to make a comeback.All his shenanigans, as they try to rehabilitate him, are hilarious.Not at all what you’re expecting.
S**L
Rootin-Tootin Fun Movie
Good Old-Fashion FUN movie with Howard Keel in a duo role.Fred MacMurray and Dorothy McGuire also do a good job of acting in their roles.Pokes fun at the B-Western stars but is never mean-spirited.Those of who grew watching Roy Rogers, Hopalong Cassidy, and all the others will surely enjoy this movie.
M**E
Three Stars
Its entertaining.
C**E
Five Stars
Excellent!
A**Z
entretenida
porque es agradable ver peliculas antiguas
M**Y
Four Stars
ok
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