Movie Monday Review: The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again

Theodore and Amos…back at it!

The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again (1979)

Starring: Don Knotts, Tim Conway, Tim Matheson, Harry Morgan, Elyssa Davalos, and Kenneth Mars

Summary

Theodore (Don Knotts) and Amos (Tim Conway) are back after having lived with Mr. Donavan and Dusty (see The Apple Dumpling Gang review) on their ranch. They now have decided they’re going to stop being the “scourge of the west”, robbing banks and such, and simply settle down as gentlemen who will “Live by their wits!” Getting fancy clothes and taking their picture, they decide to deposit all their funds into the bank, like real gentlemen. However, it is impossible for these two to stay far from trouble. Caught, quite innocently, in the middle of a bank robbery, they get accused of being the actual robbers (while the real robbers escape). Ego-filled Marshall Woolly Bill Hitchcock (Kenneth Mars), who can’t get over his own looks, tries to arrest Theodore and Amos for robbing the bank (clearly not looking at the facts). The Marshall vows to hunt them down and nearly goes crazy trying to do so, also finding himself hurt in every possible way.

Meanwhile, a spoiled and rather snooty southern lady arrives in town to go to the Army fort to meet her father, Major T.P. Gaskill (Harry Morgan). Young Millie Gaskill (Elyssa Davalos) turns up her nose when a Private and not an officer comes to escort her back to the fort. Private Jeff Reid (Tim Matheson) is immediately enamored with the Southern Belle, but quickly turned off by her pride. He determines to teach her a lesson, he takes her on the roughest wagon ride she’s ever had (the wagon, which happens to be carrying champagne for her party and the hiding Theodore and Amos).

Private Reid with Millie

Major Gaskill, although thrilled to see his daughter who has come to marry the up-and-coming Lieutenant Jim Ravencroft (Robert Pine), is quite concerned with certain raids that have occurred on Army property. Unable to discover who is responsible, Major Gaskill is faced with the total burning of the fort by two new recruits…Theodore and Amos. Relieved of command, the Major turns the fort over to Lieutenant Ravencroft.

Amos and Theodore after burning the fort down…oops

The in the mess of the fort burning, Private Reid kidnaps Miss Gaskill, taking her to a hidden cabin in the mountains. There, along with a good friend of his, who happens to be a blind widow, Millie discovers that Private Reid loves her. Even though, he is trying to teach her a lesson, hoping to kill her arrogance. After a couple of days of hard work at the cabin, Millie escapes, but having changed quite a bit. *hearts and flowers*

Meanwhile, Theodore and Amos get arrested for burning down the fort. Sent to the Army Prison, they pretend to be the tough guys and insist on meeting “the head cock-a-doodle-do around here.” Quite by accident, they meet Big Mac (Jack Elam), whom they find out is working behind all the fort’s raids, but also tells them that their outside man is a certain Lieutenant at the fort. He tells them that they’re planning to rob the Army Payroll on the coming train and he recruits them. Theodore and Amos soon escape, hoping to get the sheriff in on it before it happens and also hoping to be heroes afterward. Caught between a rock and hard place in town, they disguise themselves as saloon girls, only to be found dancing with the real bank robbers. Coming face-to-face with both Big Mac and a very crazed Marshall Hitchcock, they escape again, running through town in wigs and dresses.

Theodore and Amos dancing with the bank robbers

On the train, we find each major player. Private Jeff Reid appears only to make us aware that he is actually Captain Jeff Philips of Army Intelligence (that’s a fun turn!). He finds Miss Gaskill on the train at which point he makes it clear to her that he loves her and will be marrying her, now that her wedding has been put off with Lieutenant Ravencroft. She’s amazed and slightly flabbergasted, but definitely in love! Big Mac is there with his gang ready to rob the payroll. One of them sees Captain Philips on top of the train and goes after him. But, Millie sees him going up there and she goes after the bad guy. What ensues is her saving the man she now loves. Theodore and Amos, after trading their donkey for some blankets with some Indians, are on the train, trying to cover up their dresses. 😉 However, true to character, the donkey escapes, making the Indians mad. They attack the train!

Lieutenant Ravencroft and Big Mac are picked up by the Indians and everyone has to come together for a pow-wow. The truth comes out and, amazingly, Theodore and Amos save the day. 😉

And everyone lives happily ever after.

Captain Philips stopping the robbery

Review

The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again is one of the best sequels I’ve seen in movies from this era. Usually, the second movie is a flop, however, this one adds to the story quite well. The use of Don Knotts and Tim Conway together is wonderful, their natural comedy comes out so well. Of course, the additions of other comedians (such as Ruth Buzzi) make for a good laugh. The return of certain characters (besides Knotts and Conway), such as Harry Morgan, gives a feeling of familiarity.

The interchange between Tim Matheson and Elyssa Davalos is great. It’s interesting to see the change in their characters, specifically in Davalos. The sweeping music you hear each time he sees her makes the movie meaningful and have depth (unique for a comedy).

It’s hard to not laugh throughout this movie, easy to watch, great music, wonderful comedy. It’s worth it.

Theodore and Amos going home

Ellen Nolan

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