They Met In Argentina (1941)

Information from IMDb

Plot Summary
A Texas oil millionaire, after failing to secure oil lands in Argentina,
seeks out a famous race horse in Buenos Aires and order his representative
to buy the nag at any price. Ellison has a love affair with Maureen O'Hara,
the beautiful daughter of the prize horse's owner.
Summary written by Alessandro Martini

Full Cast
Maureen O'Hara .... Lolita O'Shea
James Ellison .... Tim Kelly
Alberto Vila .... Alberto Delmonte
Buddy Ebsen .... Duke Ferrel
Robert Barrat .... Don Enrique de los Santos O'Shea
Joseph Buloff .... Santiago, O'Shea's Trainer
Diosa Costello .... Panchita
Luis Alberni .... Don Luis Jose Alfonso Frutos y Murphy (uncredited)
Carlos Barbe .... Nicanor (uncredited)
Fortunio Bonanova .... Pedro, Ranch Blacksmith (uncredited)
Chester Clute .... B.A. Jackson, Hastings' Secretary (uncredited)
James Conaty .... Board Member (uncredited)
Ray Cooke .... Seattle Sailor in Cantina Brawl (uncredited)
Victoria Córdova .... Nina Maria, Dancer (uncredited)
Paul Ellis .... Gaucho (uncredited)
Kit Guard .... Sailor Entering El Porteno Cantina (uncredited)
Charlie Hall .... Sailor in Cantina Brawl (uncredited)
Jack Hively .... Sailor (uncredited)
George J. Lewis .... Reporter at the Racetrack (uncredited)
Francisco Marán .... Don Ramon, at the Racetrack (uncredited)
Robert Middlemass .... George Hastings (uncredited)
Antonio Moreno .... Don Carlos, 100 Peso Donor (uncredited)
Nick Moro .... Guitarist in Cantina (uncredited)
Charles Quigley .... Reporter (uncredited)
Betty Jane Rhodes .... Singer During Opening Credits (uncredited)
Frank Yaconelli .... Singer in Cantina (uncredited)

Writing Credits
Lou Brock (story) and
Harold Daniels (story)
Jerome Cady (screenplay) (as Jerry Cady)

Trivia
* Jack Hively took over as director for Leslie Goodwins while he was hospitalized with pneumonia.

* RKO was forced by the Argentine government to add footage with popular Argentine star Alberto Vila before agreeing to its release in that country.

They Met in Argentina is a 1941 American film,
directed by Leslie Goodwins and Jack Hively for RKO Pictures,

Hively had to come in and finish the picture after Goodwins
was hospitalized for pneumonia. Maureen O'Hara plays an Argentinian
who falls in love with a Texan (James Ellison),
who is attempting to buy a racehorse from her father.

It was one of a number of Hollywood films from the 1940s
produced to reflect America's "Good Neighbor policy"
towards Latin American countries.

They Met in Argentina was not well received by audiences, critics,
or the Argentine government.

One that Maureen, should have walked away from.
A truly forgettable film.
Just shows, even top music writers like Rodgers and Hart,
have their off days.
The bright thing is Luis Albierni,
a very funny man who starred with Duke,
in those early WB movies.
One of my favourites character actors.

Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Quote

No one emerged from They Met in Argentina covered with glory,
certainly not tunesmiths Rodgers and Hart, who contributed one of their least memorable scores ever.
Losing twice as much money as it cost, the film was an ill-fated comeback effort by
former RKO Radio production executive Lou Brock,
who ended his days as a hotel night clerk

User Review

Fun musical with Ebsen in top form, Author: funkyfry from Oakland CA

Quote

A forgettable story about an American businessman's (Ellison) attempts to purchase a racehorse from a rich Irish/South American , and his lovely daughter's (O'Hara) attempt to hook him at the same time, is merely an excuse for a top-notch musical comedy show. Buddy Ebsen is particularly funny as Ellison's Texan companion, and he gets to show off some snappy dancing, too. The bits that have been written here make Ebsen sort of a low-budget Will Rogers, but he makes the most of the opportunities and comes out shining. The script comes loaded with good jokes, and Ebsen has some of the best delivery (in classic vaudeville style) in the business.

Rodgers and Hart contribute one of their least impressive scores -- only one or two good songs. They gave Ebsen a humorous cowboy ditty to sing (and he sings it poorly deliberately, let's hope), but their theme song ("North America.... meet South America" is but one of its blistering rhymes) is truly atrocious. There are also one or two more or less forgettable attempts by the songwriters to imitate the style of Jerome Kern in light operetta, sung by Ellison's rival for O'Hara's love. Since Ellison can't sing at all, SOMETHING must have swung the thing in his favor.....

A likeable film emerges from the somewhat messy stew thanks to good comedy writing and playing.