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Poster for Swing, Cowboy, Swing

Swing, Cowboy, Swing

Seen it?

1946 | 59 min | Western

Weeknight Watchearly rating

Why it’s a Weeknight Watch

With almost no lasting buzz, it's a mixed bag. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for most people.
The mood
Easygoing.
The pace
Moves along nicely, at 59 min.
What might put you off
Made in 1946: an older pace and style.

An obscure entry in the musical Western cycle, Swing, Cowboy, Swing was produced by and starred country & western bandleader Cal Shrum. Shrum and his band, the Rhythm Rangers, are warned away from playing a theater in Big Bend by Cal's brother, Walt Shrum and his Colorado Hillbillies. Ignoring the warning, the Rhythm Rangers arrive at the theater only to be shot at by a masked stranger. With the help of stranded vaudeville performer Max "Alibi" Terhune and his dummy Elmer, Cal manages to catch the mystery shooter who turns out to be Frank Lawson (Frank Ellis). The film apparently did not generate enough interest for a series, but was re-released by Astor Pictures in 1949 under the title Bad Man From Big Bend.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsNot counted

    Not enough reviews on record yet

  • AudiencesNot counted

    Not measured yet: not enough ratings

  • AwardsNot counted

    No major awards or nominations

  • Reach & staying powerSolid

    Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactWeak

    About 346 people sought it out in the past year

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Cast & crew

Directed by Elmer Clifton

  • Cal ShrumCal
  • Max Terhune'Alibi' Terhune
  • Alta LeeAlta
  • Walt ShrumWalt
  • Don WestonGuitar Player
  • I. Stanford JolleyJames Beeton
  • Ann RobertsMary Beeton
  • Frank EllisFrank Lawson
  • Ed CassidySheriff
  • Ted AdamsHenchman