The Cowboy and the Lady (1938): Cast & Plot
The Cowboy and the Lady is a 1938 romantic western directed by H. C. Potter, starring Merle Oberon as Mary Smith, Gary Cooper and Charles Coleman. It runs 1 hour 31 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 31m (91 min)
- Director
- H. C. Potter
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Samuel Goldwyn Productions
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Cowboy and the Lady About?
The premise of The Cowboy and the Lady without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
After a lifetime of seclusion, Mary Smith decides to break free while her father campaigns for the presidency. She travels to the family’s West Palm Beach estate, where she unexpectedly falls for earnest cowboy Stretch Willoughby. Their romance clashes with the social image his father demands, forcing Mary to choose between love and family expectations.
The Cowboy and the Lady Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- manipulative father
- miami florida
- trick roper
- song
- singer
- singing
- western music
- singing cowhand
- tobacco chewing
- retribution
- newsreel rodeo footage
- hasty marriage
+38 more Show fewer
- rich family
- uncle niece relationship
- ladies maid
- calf wrestling
- kiss
- wedding vows
- wedding ceremony
- telegram
- society hostess
- lie
- cowboy
- cowboy boots
- cowboy comedy
- cowboy hat
- maid
- man throws a woman into water
- uncle
- cooper and brennan
- goldwyn and cooper
- man and wife relationship
- romantic comedy
- feel good romance
- rodeo
- lady
- secret from father
- social differences
- shipboard marriage
- politician
- piano
- judge
- jitterbug
- insomnia
- fog
- curtain
- washington d.c.
- ship
- political candidate
- palm beach florida
The Cowboy and the Lady Cast & Characters
Merle Oberon leads the cast as Mary Smith, with Gary Cooper as Stretch Willoughby and Charles Coleman as Horace Smith's Butler (uncredited). Directed by H. C. Potter; 58 actors are credited in all.
- Director H. C. Potter
- Merle Oberon as Mary Smith
-
Gary Cooper as Stretch Willoughby - Charles Coleman as Horace Smith's Butler (uncredited)
- Henry Kolker as Horace Smith
Also Starring in The Cowboy and the Lady
· 54 more- Harry Davenport Uncle Hannibal Smith
- Patsy Kelly Katie Callahan
- Mabel Todd Elly
- Emma Dunn Ma Hawkins
- Franklyn Farnum Cowboy (uncredited)
- Syd Saylor Cowboy at Ranch (uncredited)
- Si Jenks Cowboy at Rodeo (uncredited)
- Guy Wilkerson Rodeo Cowboy (uncredited)
- Irving Bacon Chester - Smith's Secretary (uncredited)
- Walter Brennan Sugar
- Berton Churchill Oliver Wendell Henderson
- Lee Phelps Carpenter (uncredited)
- George Chandler Reporter (uncredited)
- Emmett Vogan Newspaper Editor (uncredited)
- Edmund Mortimer Dinner Party Guest (uncredited)
- Mike Lally Croupier (uncredited)
Show all 58 cast members Show fewer cast members
- James Conaty Gambling House Patron (uncredited)
- Ethan Laidlaw Man in Rodeo Stands (uncredited)
- Eddie Acuff Bus Driver (uncredited)
- Harry Wilson Man Shaving (uncredited)
- Arthur Hoyt Valet (uncredited)
- Murray Alper Cowboy at Ranch (uncredited)
- Billy Wayne Rodeo Rider (uncredited)
- Florence Wix Dinner Party Guest (uncredited)
- Ed Brady Carpenter at Ranch (uncredited)
- Hank Worden Cowhand Leonard (uncredited)
- Iron Eyes Cody Rodeo Indian (uncredited)
- Frank Ellis Party Guest (uncredited)
- Sarah Edwards Dinner Party Guest (uncredited)
- Russ Powell Rodeo Rider (uncredited)
- Tom Ricketts Old Man Sitting next to Mary at the Banquet Table (uncredited)
- David Newell Gambler (uncredited)
- Walter Walker Ames
- Edgar Norton Smith's Servant (uncredited)
- Fuzzy Knight Buzz
- Jack Baxley Rodeo Rider (uncredited)
- Robert Middlemass Newspaper Chief (uncredited)
- William Worthington Dinner Party Guest (uncredited)
- Tom Smith Party Guest (uncredited)
- Ethel Wales Dinner Party Guest (uncredited)
- Blue Washington Dock Worker (uncredited)
- Danny Borzage Musician (uncredited)
- Frederick Vogeding Captain
- Curley Dresden Man Washing (uncredited)
- Edward Cooper Smith's Servant (uncredited)
- Charles Richman Dillon
- Silver Tip Baker Rodeo Cowboy (uncredited)
- Steve Clemente Knife Thrower (uncredited)
- John Judd Rodeo Rider (uncredited)
- Chris Willow Bird Party Guest (uncredited)
- Mabel Colcord Old Woman (uncredited)
- Sam Garrett Rider and Roper (uncredited)
- Chief Many Treaties Party Guest (uncredited)
- William Gillis Party Guest (uncredited)
More from H. C. Potter
More films directed by H. C. Potter: Top Secret Affair, Three for the Show, The Miniver Story and You Gotta Stay Happy.
The Cowboy and the Lady Plot Summary
What happens in The Cowboy and the Lady from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 5-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Mary Smith [Merle Oberon] has spent a sheltered life shielded from scandal, living under the shadow of her ambitious father, Horace Smith [Henry Kolker], a presidential hopeful who hopes to shape her into a picture-perfect hostess for his ascent. Although she supports his political dreams, Mary yearns for a life of her own, free of rigid expectations and public scrutiny. A night of dancing with her boisterous, free-spirited Uncle Hannibal [Harry Davenport] at a nightclub ends in trouble when a police raid exposes gambling. Word travels fast, reporters latch onto her name, and Horace decides to move Mary away to the family estate in Palm Beach to keep her out of the headlines.
Full summary
The whole story of The Cowboy and the Lady, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know The Cowboy and the Lady?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the full name of the female lead who pretends to be a maid?
The Cowboy and the Lady Also Known As
11 alternative titles, including “Madame et son cow boy” and “Madame et son cow-boy”.
- Also known as
-
- Madame et son cow boy
- Madame et son cow-boy
- La dama e il cowboy
- Madame et son cowboy
- El vaquero y la dama
- Mein Mann, der Cowboy
- Ковбой и леди
- O Cowboy e a Granfina
- Kowboj i dama
- Văcarul și doamna
- En cowboy och en lady
Seen The Cowboy and the Lady?
Movies Like The Cowboy and the Lady
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Cowboy, The Cockeyed Cowboys of Calico County and The Cowboy Way.
The Cowboy and the Lady FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of The Cowboy and the Lady, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Cowboy and the Lady?
The Cowboy and the Lady runs 1 hour 31 minutes (91 minutes).
When was The Cowboy and the Lady released?
The Cowboy and the Lady was released on November 17, 1938.
Who directed The Cowboy and the Lady?
The Cowboy and the Lady was directed by H. C. Potter.
More films by H. C. Potter Who is in the cast of The Cowboy and the Lady?
The Cowboy and the Lady stars Merle Oberon as Mary Smith, Gary Cooper as Stretch Willoughby and Charles Coleman as Horace Smith's Butler (uncredited), among 58 credited actors.
Does The Cowboy and the Lady have a post-credit scene?
No. The Cowboy and the Lady has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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