Rodeo Rhythm
Cast & Crew
Fred Newmeyer
Roylene Smith
Donna Jean Meinke
Vernon Brown
Gloria Morse
Fred Scott
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
The Knapp Home for Orphans, founded in 1905, is threatened with foreclosure by its neighbor, Alex Twitchel, who has bought the mortgage on the house as well as the Knapp ranch. Twitchel, a bitter man due to the death of his only son, who was once married to a Knapp orphan, gives the Home's owner, Aunt Tilley Knapp, only one month to come up with the full balance, even after she gives him all of her savings, which she had set aside to pay for the children's bus fare to the ranch. Tilley, her husband Joe, and their friend, rodeo rider Jim Corey, drive all the children to the ranch in their rundown truck. Although the truck breaks down several times, they finally reach the ranch, which is run by Tilley's brother Buck. There, Jim is reunited with his childhood sweetheart, Buck's daughter Ellen. After Gloria, one of the older orphans, overhears Buck and Tilley discussing Twitchel, she inspires Ellen and Jim to plan a rodeo as a fundraiser. Jim and Buck soon start training the children to trick ride on ponies, and even orphan Small Fry's dog, Dopey, learns how to ride on horseback. Twitchel arrives unexpectedly one afternoon to reassert his threat, and when he leaves, he hits and kills Dopey. The children nevertheless continue their fun on a camping trip, during which Jim and Ellen become engaged. Not long after, Twitchel legally attaches all the Knapps' property, and refuses to allow the use of the ponies in the rodeo. Unaware of Twitchel's actions, the children rehearse a "cowboys and Indians" act. Having delivered his news, Twitchel leaves the ranch, and soon after, his car goes off the road and he is trapped inside. Small Fry and Juanita, another orphan, witness the crash and bring their friends to help pull Twitchel from the wreckage and take him to the hospital in their miniature covered wagon. Twitchel is remorseless and ungrateful, even after the children beseech him for assistance with the rodeo. However, a kind nurse changes Twitchel's mind, and he allows the rodeo. The orphans are billed as the Knapp Rough Riders, and the rodeo is so well attended that the Knapps earn enough money to pay off Twitchel. However, Twitchel surprises everyone by rescinding the mortgage, then suggesting that the money be divided among the children and that he should build a new orphanage.
Director
Fred Newmeyer
Cast
Roylene Smith
Donna Jean Meinke
Vernon Brown
Gloria Morse
Fred Scott
Pat Dunn
Patricia Redpath
Loie Bridge
John Frank
J. "doc" Hartley
Landon Laird
Edloie Barnet
Roy Knapp Rough Riders:
Donna Lee Long
Connie Joan Keys
Delores Long
Donald Siefert
Sonny Boy Bridges
Joe Eugene Ross
Robert Long Jr.
Clyde Cecil
Joan Adams
Bonnie Lee Smith
Ethel "checkerboard" Sacks
Shirley Adams
Patty Angel
Johnny Hill
Janice Morse
Barbara Whittiker
John Fink
Norbert Angel
Vernon Meinke
Susie Vandivere
Vernon Siefert
Ivan Gee
Gene Adams
Cora Ross
Joe Mackey Jr.
Donna Stevens
Joe Mackey Riding Club Group
Jack Cooper
Dopey, A Dog
Crew
Eugene Allen
Martin Finkelstein
John Frank
Earl Gille
George Halligan
Kenneth "buddy" Jones
Roy Knapp
Eddie Kull
Landon Laird
Leo J. Mccarthy
Leo J. Mccarthy
Eugene Moore
Eugene Moore
Morrill Moore
Morrill Moore
Elmer C. Rhoden Jr.
Gene Tuttle
Film Details
Technical Specs
Quotes
Trivia
Notes
Individual performers were credited onscreen with character names as they appear above. The riding groups received separate credit as "Riders (Children)...Roy Knapp Rough Riders," and "Riders (Adults)...Joe Mackey Riding Club Group." In addition, twenty-nine performers were listed by name without character credits as "Members of the 'Knapp Rough Riders'." This group includes previously credited child actors Roylene Smith, Donna Jean Meinke and Gloria Morse.
