Mexican Hayride (1948)

59% of users liked it
(329 ratings)

Cole Porter's Broadway musical Mexican Hayride was optioned by Universal in the mid-1940s, then remained in "development hell" until 1948. By the time the property made it to the screen, the entire Porter score had been removed, and the play's original star Bobby Clark was replaced by Bud Abbott and… More Cole Porter's Broadway musical Mexican Hayride was optioned by Universal in the mid-1940s, then remained in "development hell" until 1948. By the time the property made it to the screen, the entire Porter score had been removed, and the play's original star Bobby Clark was replaced by Bud Abbott and Lou Costello. The story takes place South of the Border, where American fugitive from justice Joe Bascom (Costello) searches for con man Harry Lambert (Abbott), for whom Bascom had been a fall guy. Also in Mexico is Joe's hometown-sweetheart Mary (Virginia Grey), now known as Montana, the country's foremost female bullfighter. Joe catches up with Harry at the bull arena, where Montana is about to choose the "Amigo Americano" in a publicity scheme cooked up by Harry. When she spots Joe in the crowd, Montana (angry at our tubby hero for bilking her out of her life savings -- it was actually Harry's doing), furiously throws her hat at him. When Joe catches the hat, he's elected Amigo Americano and extended every hospitality that Mexico can afford. Sensing yet another opportunity to make a dishonest dollar, Harry exploits Joe's newfound celebrity to promote a phony gold-mining scheme. The gorgeous Dagmar (Luba Malina), Harry's partner in crime, romances Joe to secure his cooperation. Somehow all of this ends up back in the bull ring, with poor Joe facing a very belligerent "el toro." A bit too plot-heavy for Abbott & Costello, Mexican Hayride still has several choice moments, including a priceless verbal exchange involving gold ore ("gold or what?") and a "Mother Lode." ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 17 min.
Directed By: Charles Barton
Written By: Oscar Brodney, John Grant, Herbert Fields, Dorothy Fields
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Classics, Comedy

In Theaters: Dec 1, 1948 Wide
On DVD: Oct 15, 1992

Critic Reviews

Widgett Walls, Needcoffee.com
About the funniest thing in the entire film is a reference to a classic bit, when Costello makes mention of a 'what' and 'second base.' That's how terribly reaching [it] is.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Anthony V

Some great Abbot and Costello bits. The bullfight is classic.

Cast

            Bud Abbott as Harry Lambert

            Lou Costello as Humphrey Fish

            Virginia Grey as Montana

            Luba Malina as Dagmar

            John Hubbard as David Winthrop

            Pedro de Cordoba as Senor Martinez

            Fritz Feld as Prof. Ganzmeyer

            Tom Powers as Ed Mason

            Pat Costello as Tim Williams

            Frank Fenton as Gus Adamson

            Chris-Pin Martin as Mariachi Leader

            Sid Fields as Reporter

            Mary Brewer
            
            Argentina Brunetti as Indian Woman

            Mary Castle
            
            Joe Dominguez as Artist

            Robert Elias as Mexican Boy

            Lalo Encinas
            
            Fred Hoose as Businessman

            Reed Howes
            
            Eddie Kane as Mr. Clarke

            Joe Kirk as 2nd Businessman

            Donna Martell as Girl

            Alex Montoya
            
            Pedro Regas as Proprietor

            Julian Rivero as Ticket Seller

            Tony Roux as Blanket Weaver

            Cosmo Sardo as Headwaiter

            Felipe Turich as Siversmith Dealer

            Kippee Valez
            
            Roque Ybarra as Basket Weaver

            John Sylvester White
            
            Lucille Casey
            
            Hans Moebus as Man

            Julia Montoya as Woman

            Karen Randle
            
            Suzanne Ridgway as Artist's Model

            Lorraine Crawford
            
            Rose Marie Lopez as Mexican Child

            George Mendoza as Photographer

            Alfonso Pedroza as Mexican Man

            Charles Rivero as Ticket Taker

            Earl Spainard as Bellboy

            Charles Miller as Mr. Lewis

            Harry Brown as Businessman
See full cast