Rhythm on the Range 1936

Doris Halliday Frances Farmer, the daughter of a wealthy New York banker, is engaged to wed a rich man she doesn’t love. Her Aunt Penelope Lucile Gleason, an outspoken Arizona rancher, objects to the match, insisting that people should marry for love. Doris sees her point and runs away the night before the wedding. She hides out in a boxcar occupied by traveling cowboy Jeff Larabee Bing Crosby and his prize bull, Cuddles Beau Baldwin. Jeff and Doris take an initial dislike to one another, though there are moments when romance flickers as the train carries them west. The next day, while the train is paused at a station, Cuddles attacks Doris, and Jeff jumps from the boxcar to save her. Just then, the train resumes its journey, and Jeff, Doris, and Cuddles find themselves stranded.

They decide to part ways, but Doris steals a car and gives Jeff and his bull a lift to Arizona and Jeff’s ranch. Meanwhile, Aunt Penelope and Buck Bob Burns travel west on another train and encounter Emma Mazda Martha Raye, an aggressive young woman who flirts with Buck. Despite his lack of interest, they manage to get along. Jeff and Doris arrive at the ranch and soon reconnect with Buck and Emma, who are now engaged. Buck pushes for a double wedding, prompting Jeff, his best friend, to consider proposing to Doris as well, though he is reluctant. The moment their feelings seem to blossom, Aunt Penelope locates them and sizes up the situation, accusing Jeff of being a male gold digger. Offended and unaware of Doris’s wealth, Jeff walks away. But Doris follows, reaffirming her love, and the couple vows to marry.