The musical was made into a film in 1929, Rio Rita, starring Bebe Daniels and John Boles along with the team of Wheeler & Woolsey. Based on the success of this film, Wheeler & Woolsey were also given contracts to star in a series of comedies. Another film based on the musical was made in 1942.
Background
Rio Rita may be said to be one of the last, great, "light musical comedies" or "Follies-based" type of musical. With the introduction of Show Boat, later in 1927—as well as the subsequent introduction of George Gershwin's musicals that year and thought the early 30's -- the American musical became much more a dramatically cohesive "musical play". This form reached its maturity in the Rodgers and Hammerstein productions, beginning with Oklahoma! and culminating with South Pacific.
Nazi spies have infiltrated the Hotel Vista del Rio, a resort on the Mexican border. They plan to use a radio broadcast by a famous guest, Ricardo Montera (John Carroll), to transmit coded messages to their cohorts. Doc (Bud Abbott) and Wishy (Lou Costello) are stowaways in Montera's car, who steal a basket of "apples" that turn out being miniature radios used by the spies. Rita Winslow (Kathryn Grayson), the hotel's owner and childhood sweetheart of Montera, hire Doc and Wishy as house detectives, who discover the Nazi codebook and give it to Montera. They are then kidnapped by the spies, and left in a room with a bomb set to explode, but manage to escape while Wishy plants the bomb in the pocket of one of the culprits. Meanwhile, the broadcast has already begun and Montera, refusing to participate in treason, fights the spies until the Texas Rangers arrive. The spies' escape by car is thwarted when the planted bomb finally explodes.
Rio Rita is a 1929 American Pre-CodeRKO musical comedy starring Bebe Daniels and John Boles along with the comedy team of Wheeler & Woolsey. The film is based on the 1927 stage musical produced by Florenz Ziegfeld, which originally united Wheeler and Woolsey as a team and made them famous. The film was the biggest and most expensive RKO production of 1929 as well as the studio's biggest box office hit until King Kong (1933). Its finale was photographed in two-color Technicolor. Rio Rita was chosen as one of the ten best films of 1929 by Film Daily.
Plot
Bert Wheeler plays Chick Bean, a New York bootlegger who comes to the Mexican town of San Lucas to get a divorce so he can marry Dolly (Dorothy Lee). After the wedding, Ned Levitt (Robert Woolsey), Chick's lawyer, informs Chick the divorce was invalid, and advises Wheeler to stay away from his bride.
The Wheeler-Woolsey plot is actually a subplot of the film, and the main story features Bebe Daniels (in her first "talkie") as Rita Ferguson, a south-of-the-border beauty pursued by both Texas Ranger Jim Stewart (John Boles) and local warlord General Ravenoff (Georges Renavent). Ranger Jim is pursuing the notorious bandit Kinkajou along the Rio Grande, but is reluctant to openly accuse Rita's brother, Roberto (Don Alvarado), as the Kinkajou because he is in love with Rita.
It’s fiesta time in Vista Del Rio, and that means much musical celebration. It’s also a time of global war. In the updated plot of this exuberant World War II-era remake of the 1929 Wheeler and Woolsey romp, little Vista Del Rio is a jalapeño hotbed of Axis spies. The agents intend to use a fiesta radio show to send a coded message — a scheme that may be scrambled silly when stumblebums Doc and Wishy stumble onto it. Bud Abbott and Lou Costello play the inept duo in this musical comedy that has the famed funnymen fracturing any situation, including a hunger-fueled food mirage (tastes like chicken!) to a loopy spin within an oversized washing machine, into goofy glee. Enjoy!
published: 08 Jul 2014
Rio Rita (1942) - Available Now on DVD
It’s fiesta time in Vista Del Rio, and that means much musical celebration. It’s also a time of global war. In the updated plot of this exuberant World War II-era remake of the 1929 Wheeler and Woolsey romp, little Vista Del Rio is a jalapeño hotbed of Axis spies. The agents intend to use a fiesta radio show to send a coded message — a scheme that may be scrambled silly when stumblebums Doc and Wishy stumble onto it. Bud Abbott and Lou Costello play the inept duo in this musical comedy that has the famed funnymen fracturing any situation, including a hunger-fueled food mirage (tastes like chicken!) to a loopy spin within an oversized washing machine, into goofy glee. Enjoy!
published: 08 Jul 2014
Preview Clip | Rio Rita | Warner Archive
Rio Rita (1942) #WarnerArchive #WarnerBros #RioRita
Bud and Lou step into the shoes made famous by Wheeler and Woolsey in this remake of the late '20s film and musical (also available from the Warner Archive Collection). Newly hired house detectives Doc and Wishy (Abbott and Costello) battle Nazi saboteurs on behalf of hotel owner/radio crooner Rio Rita (Kathryn Grayson) south of the border. Considered by many to be the best of the boys' string of films for MGM.
Directed By S. Sylvan Simon
Starring Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Kathryn Grayson
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published: 31 Mar 2011
Rio Rita Laundry Scene
Abbott and Costello. Lou lands in the hotel washer!
published: 13 May 2008
Rio Rita 1942 A&C and Kathryn Grayson colorized
Rio Rita movie in color
published: 07 Jul 2023
RIO RITA 1929 Complete Theatrical Trailer
Original 1929 theatrical trailer to RKO's production of Florenz Ziegfeld's RIO RITA with Bebe Daniels, John Boles, Bert Wheeler and Robert Woolsey. Direct transfer from 16mm print.
published: 24 Mar 2023
Sweetheart we need each other - Rio Rita - Technicolor
Sweetheart we need each other, performed by Dorothy Lee and Bert Wheeler from the 1929 movie "Rio Rita", starring Bebe Daniels and John Boles.
published: 15 Jul 2014
20th century reviews Rio Rita 1942 staring Abbott and Costello review
published: 10 Aug 2020
Tales of Manhattan 1942 - Rita Hayworth, Charles Boyer, Ginger Rogers, Henry Fonda
Tales Of Manhattan - 1942 American anthology film starring Rita Hayworth, Charles Boyer, Edward G Robinson, Ginger Rogers, Henry Fonda, Charles Laughton, Paul Robeson, Ethel Waters.
As a formal black jacket gets passed on from person to person, these stories set in New York City follow the lives of the coat's owners. Actor Paul Orman (Charles Boyer) gets involved with the beautiful Ethel (Rita Hayworth), while Diane (Ginger Rogers) and George (Henry Fonda) begin a romance in the subsequent story. Later tales focus on an aspiring conductor (Charles Laughton), a homeless man (Edward G. Robinson) and a struggling black couple (Paul Robeson, Ethel Waters).
published: 02 Apr 2020
Alan Ladd singing with Rita Rio and her All Girl orchestra (1942)
In 1942, the captivating singing of Alan Ladd, accompanied by the infectious energy of Rita Rio and her All-Girl Orchestra, was immortalized in a soundie recording of the song "I Look At You".
During this pivotal year, Ladd was on the verge of achieving stardom with his breakthrough role in the film "This Gun For Hire," following years of smaller roles and appearances in B movies. His collaboration with the renowned Rita Rio and her All Girl Orchestra became a memorable moment in Ladd's career, as it marked one of the rare instances when his beautiful voice was captured on film.
Do you love classic movies? So do I! For more on the classics check out my videos on the stars, the studios and the history of classic Hollywood ➡️https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLn_N29RFy3rrqTtC_jJMmR4pJ...
It’s fiesta time in Vista Del Rio, and that means much musical celebration. It’s also a time of global war. In the updated plot of this exuberant World War II-e...
It’s fiesta time in Vista Del Rio, and that means much musical celebration. It’s also a time of global war. In the updated plot of this exuberant World War II-era remake of the 1929 Wheeler and Woolsey romp, little Vista Del Rio is a jalapeño hotbed of Axis spies. The agents intend to use a fiesta radio show to send a coded message — a scheme that may be scrambled silly when stumblebums Doc and Wishy stumble onto it. Bud Abbott and Lou Costello play the inept duo in this musical comedy that has the famed funnymen fracturing any situation, including a hunger-fueled food mirage (tastes like chicken!) to a loopy spin within an oversized washing machine, into goofy glee. Enjoy!
It’s fiesta time in Vista Del Rio, and that means much musical celebration. It’s also a time of global war. In the updated plot of this exuberant World War II-era remake of the 1929 Wheeler and Woolsey romp, little Vista Del Rio is a jalapeño hotbed of Axis spies. The agents intend to use a fiesta radio show to send a coded message — a scheme that may be scrambled silly when stumblebums Doc and Wishy stumble onto it. Bud Abbott and Lou Costello play the inept duo in this musical comedy that has the famed funnymen fracturing any situation, including a hunger-fueled food mirage (tastes like chicken!) to a loopy spin within an oversized washing machine, into goofy glee. Enjoy!
It’s fiesta time in Vista Del Rio, and that means much musical celebration. It’s also a time of global war. In the updated plot of this exuberant World War II-e...
It’s fiesta time in Vista Del Rio, and that means much musical celebration. It’s also a time of global war. In the updated plot of this exuberant World War II-era remake of the 1929 Wheeler and Woolsey romp, little Vista Del Rio is a jalapeño hotbed of Axis spies. The agents intend to use a fiesta radio show to send a coded message — a scheme that may be scrambled silly when stumblebums Doc and Wishy stumble onto it. Bud Abbott and Lou Costello play the inept duo in this musical comedy that has the famed funnymen fracturing any situation, including a hunger-fueled food mirage (tastes like chicken!) to a loopy spin within an oversized washing machine, into goofy glee. Enjoy!
It’s fiesta time in Vista Del Rio, and that means much musical celebration. It’s also a time of global war. In the updated plot of this exuberant World War II-era remake of the 1929 Wheeler and Woolsey romp, little Vista Del Rio is a jalapeño hotbed of Axis spies. The agents intend to use a fiesta radio show to send a coded message — a scheme that may be scrambled silly when stumblebums Doc and Wishy stumble onto it. Bud Abbott and Lou Costello play the inept duo in this musical comedy that has the famed funnymen fracturing any situation, including a hunger-fueled food mirage (tastes like chicken!) to a loopy spin within an oversized washing machine, into goofy glee. Enjoy!
Rio Rita (1942) #WarnerArchive #WarnerBros #RioRita
Bud and Lou step into the shoes made famous by Wheeler and Woolsey in this remake of the late '20s film and...
Rio Rita (1942) #WarnerArchive #WarnerBros #RioRita
Bud and Lou step into the shoes made famous by Wheeler and Woolsey in this remake of the late '20s film and musical (also available from the Warner Archive Collection). Newly hired house detectives Doc and Wishy (Abbott and Costello) battle Nazi saboteurs on behalf of hotel owner/radio crooner Rio Rita (Kathryn Grayson) south of the border. Considered by many to be the best of the boys' string of films for MGM.
Directed By S. Sylvan Simon
Starring Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Kathryn Grayson
Subscribe to watch more Warner Archive videos: https://www.youtube.com/c/warnerarchive?sub_confirmation=1
FOLLOW WARNER ARCHIVE ON SOCIAL
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/warnerarchive
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/warnerarchive
Twitter: https://twitter.com/warnerarchive
ABOUT WARNER ARCHIVE
Warner Archive Collection is a branch of Warner Bros home entertainment that releases classic films and TV that were previously unreleased. Thousands of Films, TV movies and series on Blu-ray and DVD direct from the studio. WAC started as a MOD (manufactured on demand) eCommerce business in 2009 and have released over 2,500 titles spanning from the 1920s to present with distribution outlets that now include wholesale, licensee, and retail partners. Available at https://amzn.to/3gQeRvx.
Warner Archive
https://www.youtube.com/c/warnerarchive/featured
Rio Rita (1942) #WarnerArchive #WarnerBros #RioRita
Bud and Lou step into the shoes made famous by Wheeler and Woolsey in this remake of the late '20s film and musical (also available from the Warner Archive Collection). Newly hired house detectives Doc and Wishy (Abbott and Costello) battle Nazi saboteurs on behalf of hotel owner/radio crooner Rio Rita (Kathryn Grayson) south of the border. Considered by many to be the best of the boys' string of films for MGM.
Directed By S. Sylvan Simon
Starring Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Kathryn Grayson
Subscribe to watch more Warner Archive videos: https://www.youtube.com/c/warnerarchive?sub_confirmation=1
FOLLOW WARNER ARCHIVE ON SOCIAL
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/warnerarchive
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/warnerarchive
Twitter: https://twitter.com/warnerarchive
ABOUT WARNER ARCHIVE
Warner Archive Collection is a branch of Warner Bros home entertainment that releases classic films and TV that were previously unreleased. Thousands of Films, TV movies and series on Blu-ray and DVD direct from the studio. WAC started as a MOD (manufactured on demand) eCommerce business in 2009 and have released over 2,500 titles spanning from the 1920s to present with distribution outlets that now include wholesale, licensee, and retail partners. Available at https://amzn.to/3gQeRvx.
Warner Archive
https://www.youtube.com/c/warnerarchive/featured
Original 1929 theatrical trailer to RKO's production of Florenz Ziegfeld's RIO RITA with Bebe Daniels, John Boles, Bert Wheeler and Robert Woolsey. Direct trans...
Original 1929 theatrical trailer to RKO's production of Florenz Ziegfeld's RIO RITA with Bebe Daniels, John Boles, Bert Wheeler and Robert Woolsey. Direct transfer from 16mm print.
Original 1929 theatrical trailer to RKO's production of Florenz Ziegfeld's RIO RITA with Bebe Daniels, John Boles, Bert Wheeler and Robert Woolsey. Direct transfer from 16mm print.
Tales Of Manhattan - 1942 American anthology film starring Rita Hayworth, Charles Boyer, Edward G Robinson, Ginger Rogers, Henry Fonda, Charles Laughton, Paul R...
Tales Of Manhattan - 1942 American anthology film starring Rita Hayworth, Charles Boyer, Edward G Robinson, Ginger Rogers, Henry Fonda, Charles Laughton, Paul Robeson, Ethel Waters.
As a formal black jacket gets passed on from person to person, these stories set in New York City follow the lives of the coat's owners. Actor Paul Orman (Charles Boyer) gets involved with the beautiful Ethel (Rita Hayworth), while Diane (Ginger Rogers) and George (Henry Fonda) begin a romance in the subsequent story. Later tales focus on an aspiring conductor (Charles Laughton), a homeless man (Edward G. Robinson) and a struggling black couple (Paul Robeson, Ethel Waters).
Tales Of Manhattan - 1942 American anthology film starring Rita Hayworth, Charles Boyer, Edward G Robinson, Ginger Rogers, Henry Fonda, Charles Laughton, Paul Robeson, Ethel Waters.
As a formal black jacket gets passed on from person to person, these stories set in New York City follow the lives of the coat's owners. Actor Paul Orman (Charles Boyer) gets involved with the beautiful Ethel (Rita Hayworth), while Diane (Ginger Rogers) and George (Henry Fonda) begin a romance in the subsequent story. Later tales focus on an aspiring conductor (Charles Laughton), a homeless man (Edward G. Robinson) and a struggling black couple (Paul Robeson, Ethel Waters).
In 1942, the captivating singing of Alan Ladd, accompanied by the infectious energy of Rita Rio and her All-Girl Orchestra, was immortalized in a soundie record...
In 1942, the captivating singing of Alan Ladd, accompanied by the infectious energy of Rita Rio and her All-Girl Orchestra, was immortalized in a soundie recording of the song "I Look At You".
During this pivotal year, Ladd was on the verge of achieving stardom with his breakthrough role in the film "This Gun For Hire," following years of smaller roles and appearances in B movies. His collaboration with the renowned Rita Rio and her All Girl Orchestra became a memorable moment in Ladd's career, as it marked one of the rare instances when his beautiful voice was captured on film.
Do you love classic movies? So do I! For more on the classics check out my videos on the stars, the studios and the history of classic Hollywood ➡️https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLn_N29RFy3rrqTtC_jJMmR4pJia9V5-6D
In 1942, the captivating singing of Alan Ladd, accompanied by the infectious energy of Rita Rio and her All-Girl Orchestra, was immortalized in a soundie recording of the song "I Look At You".
During this pivotal year, Ladd was on the verge of achieving stardom with his breakthrough role in the film "This Gun For Hire," following years of smaller roles and appearances in B movies. His collaboration with the renowned Rita Rio and her All Girl Orchestra became a memorable moment in Ladd's career, as it marked one of the rare instances when his beautiful voice was captured on film.
Do you love classic movies? So do I! For more on the classics check out my videos on the stars, the studios and the history of classic Hollywood ➡️https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLn_N29RFy3rrqTtC_jJMmR4pJia9V5-6D
It’s fiesta time in Vista Del Rio, and that means much musical celebration. It’s also a time of global war. In the updated plot of this exuberant World War II-era remake of the 1929 Wheeler and Woolsey romp, little Vista Del Rio is a jalapeño hotbed of Axis spies. The agents intend to use a fiesta radio show to send a coded message — a scheme that may be scrambled silly when stumblebums Doc and Wishy stumble onto it. Bud Abbott and Lou Costello play the inept duo in this musical comedy that has the famed funnymen fracturing any situation, including a hunger-fueled food mirage (tastes like chicken!) to a loopy spin within an oversized washing machine, into goofy glee. Enjoy!
It’s fiesta time in Vista Del Rio, and that means much musical celebration. It’s also a time of global war. In the updated plot of this exuberant World War II-era remake of the 1929 Wheeler and Woolsey romp, little Vista Del Rio is a jalapeño hotbed of Axis spies. The agents intend to use a fiesta radio show to send a coded message — a scheme that may be scrambled silly when stumblebums Doc and Wishy stumble onto it. Bud Abbott and Lou Costello play the inept duo in this musical comedy that has the famed funnymen fracturing any situation, including a hunger-fueled food mirage (tastes like chicken!) to a loopy spin within an oversized washing machine, into goofy glee. Enjoy!
Rio Rita (1942) #WarnerArchive #WarnerBros #RioRita
Bud and Lou step into the shoes made famous by Wheeler and Woolsey in this remake of the late '20s film and musical (also available from the Warner Archive Collection). Newly hired house detectives Doc and Wishy (Abbott and Costello) battle Nazi saboteurs on behalf of hotel owner/radio crooner Rio Rita (Kathryn Grayson) south of the border. Considered by many to be the best of the boys' string of films for MGM.
Directed By S. Sylvan Simon
Starring Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Kathryn Grayson
Subscribe to watch more Warner Archive videos: https://www.youtube.com/c/warnerarchive?sub_confirmation=1
FOLLOW WARNER ARCHIVE ON SOCIAL
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/warnerarchive
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/warnerarchive
Twitter: https://twitter.com/warnerarchive
ABOUT WARNER ARCHIVE
Warner Archive Collection is a branch of Warner Bros home entertainment that releases classic films and TV that were previously unreleased. Thousands of Films, TV movies and series on Blu-ray and DVD direct from the studio. WAC started as a MOD (manufactured on demand) eCommerce business in 2009 and have released over 2,500 titles spanning from the 1920s to present with distribution outlets that now include wholesale, licensee, and retail partners. Available at https://amzn.to/3gQeRvx.
Warner Archive
https://www.youtube.com/c/warnerarchive/featured
Original 1929 theatrical trailer to RKO's production of Florenz Ziegfeld's RIO RITA with Bebe Daniels, John Boles, Bert Wheeler and Robert Woolsey. Direct transfer from 16mm print.
Tales Of Manhattan - 1942 American anthology film starring Rita Hayworth, Charles Boyer, Edward G Robinson, Ginger Rogers, Henry Fonda, Charles Laughton, Paul Robeson, Ethel Waters.
As a formal black jacket gets passed on from person to person, these stories set in New York City follow the lives of the coat's owners. Actor Paul Orman (Charles Boyer) gets involved with the beautiful Ethel (Rita Hayworth), while Diane (Ginger Rogers) and George (Henry Fonda) begin a romance in the subsequent story. Later tales focus on an aspiring conductor (Charles Laughton), a homeless man (Edward G. Robinson) and a struggling black couple (Paul Robeson, Ethel Waters).
In 1942, the captivating singing of Alan Ladd, accompanied by the infectious energy of Rita Rio and her All-Girl Orchestra, was immortalized in a soundie recording of the song "I Look At You".
During this pivotal year, Ladd was on the verge of achieving stardom with his breakthrough role in the film "This Gun For Hire," following years of smaller roles and appearances in B movies. His collaboration with the renowned Rita Rio and her All Girl Orchestra became a memorable moment in Ladd's career, as it marked one of the rare instances when his beautiful voice was captured on film.
Do you love classic movies? So do I! For more on the classics check out my videos on the stars, the studios and the history of classic Hollywood ➡️https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLn_N29RFy3rrqTtC_jJMmR4pJia9V5-6D
The musical was made into a film in 1929, Rio Rita, starring Bebe Daniels and John Boles along with the team of Wheeler & Woolsey. Based on the success of this film, Wheeler & Woolsey were also given contracts to star in a series of comedies. Another film based on the musical was made in 1942.
Background
Rio Rita may be said to be one of the last, great, "light musical comedies" or "Follies-based" type of musical. With the introduction of Show Boat, later in 1927—as well as the subsequent introduction of George Gershwin's musicals that year and thought the early 30's -- the American musical became much more a dramatically cohesive "musical play". This form reached its maturity in the Rodgers and Hammerstein productions, beginning with Oklahoma! and culminating with South Pacific.
She has been living it up in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil in recent days after performing in a local music festival ...Rita has been living it up in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil in recent days after performing in a local music festival.