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The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again (1979) movie poster

Timeline

The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again (1979) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
1979 · 88 min · English
Directed by
Vincent McEveety
Starring
Harry Morgan, Jack Elam, Kenneth Mars, Tim Matheson, Don Knotts, Tim Conway

Amos and Theodore, the endearing but clumsy outlaws from The Apple Dumpling Gang, return for another comedic Western adventure. They embark on a quest for treasure following a chaotic army supply heist. Their bumbling antics lead to plenty of laughter and thrilling escapades as they navigate the Wild West in pursuit of their fortune.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (14)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again (1979)

Where can you watch The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Disney Plus, Amazon Video and Apple TV Store: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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14 events in order · contains spoilers

The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again (1979) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Amos and Theodore's Arrival

    Amos Tucker and Theodore Ogelvie arrive in the peaceful town of Junction City, seeking to escape their troublesome pasts. They hope to start anew and leave behind their criminal history, which has caused them countless problems.

    Where
    Junction City
  2. The Bank Robbery

    Shortly after settling in Junction City, Amos and Theodore's dreams of financial stability are dashed when a pair of cunning bank robbers, Wes Hardin and Hank Starrett, steal their hard-earned cash. This unexpected event sets the tone for a series of unfortunate escapades.

    Where
    Junction City
  3. Pursued by Marshal Hitchcock

    Following the robbery, Amos and Theodore find themselves on the run from Marshal Woolly Bill Hitchcock. The marshal holds a personal grudge against them due to their past humiliations, intensifying his pursuit.

  4. The Heartbreaking Decision

    In a desperate bid to escape Hitchcock, Amos and Theodore make the heart-wrenching choice to abandon their loyal donkey, Clarise. They hope this will help them evade capture, but the plan backfires spectacularly.

  5. Clarise Betrays Them

    Clarise unintentionally leads Marshal Hitchcock directly to Amos and Theodore's hideout. This turn of events exemplifies their ongoing string of bad luck and sets them deeper into chaos.

  6. Enlistment in the Cavalry

    In an effort to find refuge, Amos and Theodore enlist in the United States Cavalry at Fort Concho. Their clumsiness, however, leads to an unexpected and catastrophic incident that results in the fort being left in ruins.

    Where
    Fort Concho
  7. Prison Stripes

    After causing mayhem at Fort Concho, Amos and Theodore find themselves wearing prison stripes. Major Gaskill, witnessing their misadventures, can only shake his head in bemusement at their misfortunes.

  8. Recruitment by Big Mac

    While imprisoned, Amos and Theodore are approached by notorious thief Big Mac, who recognizes their potential for mischief. He recruits them for his bold plan involving a train heist, drawing them deeper into the criminal underworld.

  9. The Escape Attempt

    Realizing the gravity of their situation, Amos and Theodore try to alert the local sheriff about Big Mac's scheme. However, their plans take a wrong turn, directing them instead to a saloon where they seek a visiting U.S. Marshal.

  10. In Disguise

    To evade recognition by Big Mac's crew, Amos and Theodore hilariously disguise themselves as dance hall girls. Coincidentally, this leads them to come face-to-face with Marshal Hitchcock once again.

  11. The Train Heist

    Despite their best intentions to sabotage the train heist, fate has other plans for the duo, as they end up on the very train they aimed to thwart. This leads to an unexpected encounter with U.S. army intelligence officer Jeff Reed.

    Where
    On the train
  12. Foiling Big Mac's Plans

    Amos, Theodore, Jeff Reed, and Millie Gaskill unite to outsmart Big Mac and his gang. Together, they manage to thwart the robbers' plans and apprehend the culprits, showcasing a perfect blend of comedy and action.

  13. Grants of Pardon

    Following their unexpected heroism, both Amos and Theodore are granted pardons, freeing them from their criminal past. This marks a significant turn in their lives, allowing them the chance to finally start anew.

  14. New Beginnings

    With their legal troubles behind them, Amos and Theodore decide to settle down at Russell Donovan's farm. They are ready to embrace a simpler life, thankful to leave their chaotic adventures behind.

    Where
    Russell Donovan's farm

Last updated: November 18, 2024 at 20:34

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Timeline questions answered

The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again (1979): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why do Amos and Theodore leave Junction City?

Amos and Theodore initially came to Junction City hoping to escape their criminal pasts and start fresh. However, their plans collapse when bank robbers Wes Hardin and Hank Starrett steal all their money. With their finances destroyed and Marshal Woolly Bill Hitchcock pursuing them due to past humiliations, they are forced to flee the town.

  • amos tucker
  • theodore ogelvie
  • junction city
  • marshal hitchcock
  • escape
Q2

Why is Marshal Woolly Bill Hitchcock chasing Amos and Theodore?

Marshal Woolly Bill Hitchcock harbors a personal grudge against Amos and Theodore due to previous humiliating encounters with them. This personal vendetta intensifies his pursuit, making him particularly determined to capture them even when other lawmen might have given up.

  • marshal woolly bill hitchcock
  • persecution
  • grudge
  • pursuit
Q3

How does Clarise lead Marshal Hitchcock to Amos and Theodore?

In a desperate attempt to escape Hitchcock, Amos and Theodore abandon their donkey Clarise hoping she would slow down their pursuers. However, Clarise unknowingly leads the marshal directly to their hideout, completely undermining their escape plan and demonstrating their characteristic bad luck.

  • clarise
  • donkey
  • hitchcock
  • hideout
  • betrayal
Q4

How does Fort Concho get destroyed?

Amos and Theodore enlist in the United States Cavalry at Fort Concho seeking protection from Hitchcock. Their clumsiness and bumbling antics, combined with a confrontation with a rogue lawman, cause catastrophic chaos that leaves the entire fort burned to the ground.

  • fort concho
  • cavalry
  • destruction
  • fire
  • prison
Q5

Why does Big Mac recruit Amos and Theodore for the train heist?

Notorious thief Big Mac recognizes Amos and Theodore's potential for causing chaos and upheaval. While imprisoned, he recruits them for his ambitious train heist, believing their bumbling nature could either serve as useful distraction or be manipulated into helping execute his plan.

  • big mac
  • train heist
  • recruitment
  • thief
  • prison
Q6

Why do Amos and Theodore disguise themselves as dance hall girls?

To avoid recognition by Big Mac's gang while attempting to sabotage the train heist, Amos and Theodore hilariously disguise themselves as dance hall girls. This comical choice leads them to unexpectedly encounter Marshal Hitchcock again while also landing them on the very train they meant to stop.

  • disguise
  • dance hall girls
  • big mac
  • hitchcock
  • train
Q7

Who is Jeff Reed and what is his role in the story?

Jeff Reed is an army intelligence officer who poses as a soldier aboard the train. He is investigating a conspiracy involving military robberies, working undercover to identify the criminals responsible for stealing army supplies. He teams up with Amos, Theodore, and Millie Gaskill to stop Big Mac's heist.

  • jeff reed
  • army intelligence
  • conspiracy
  • investigation
  • military robberies
Q8

Who is Lt. Jim Ravencroft and why is he important?

Lt. Jim Ravencroft is revealed to be the mole working inside the military who has been helping Big Mac's gang orchestrate the military robberies. He is exposed as the traitor when the group thwarts the train heist, allowing Jeff Reed to bring him to justice as part of the conspiracy investigation.

  • lt jim ravencroft
  • mole
  • traitor
  • conspiracy
  • apprehension
Q9

Why are Amos and Theodore granted pardons?

After helping to foil Big Mac's train heist and apprehend the robbers including Lt. Ravencroft, Amos and Theodore are recognized as heroes. Their unexpected heroism earns them full pardons, freeing them from their criminal past and allowing them to legally start new lives.

  • pardons
  • freedom
  • redemption
  • heroism
  • new beginning
Q10

What happens to Amos and Theodore at the end of the movie?

At the end of the film, Amos and Theodore settle down on Russell Donovan's farm with their pardons secured. They leave their chaotic adventures and criminal past behind, embracing a simpler life and finally achieving the fresh start they had been seeking throughout the movie.

  • russell donovan
  • farm
  • new beginning
  • settle down
  • ending

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Movies like The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again with bumbling outlaw duos

Inept partners whose clumsy antics spark a whirlwind of slapstick misadventures. Find more comedies featuring endearingly clumsy pairs of outlaws. If you liked the chaotic antics of Amos and Theodore in The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again, you'll enjoy these similar stories of slapstick mishaps, treasure hunts, and bumbling partners stumbling their way through adventure.

  • slapstick
  • comical
  • lighthearted
  • chaotic
  • bumbling
  • partnership
  • Tone: light, comical
  • Pacing: fast, chaotic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These stories typically follow a straightforward plot where a duo's simple plan quickly spirals out of control due to their incompetence. The narrative is a series of comedic set-pieces—failed heists, chaotic escapes, and constant misunderstandings—that test their partnership but ultimately strengthen their bond, leading to a happy and redemptive conclusion.

Why they belong together: Movies in this thread are united by their focus on a specific character dynamic: the bumbling duo. They share a light tone, fast pacing fueled by physical comedy, and low-stakes narratives where the humor derives from the characters' charming ineptitude rather than cynical wit or serious conflict.

Fast-paced family adventure comedies like The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again

Energetic and humorous journeys with action, heart, and no real danger. Discover more high-energy, family-friendly comedies with lots of action. If you enjoyed the fast-paced train heists and chaotic cavalry chases in The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again, you'll love these similar films that blend exciting adventure with harmless, lighthearted humor.

  • energetic
  • playful
  • action-packed
  • family-friendly
  • humorous
  • hopeful
  • Tone: light, playful
  • Pacing: fast, energetic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Narratives in this thread are straightforward quests or chases—often involving a treasure hunt or a race against time—that provide a framework for continuous action and comedy. The stakes are never emotionally heavy, and any conflict is resolved through cleverness or luck, leading to an unequivocally happy ending where everyone learns a gentle lesson.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped by their unique blend of fast pacing, light tone, and low intensity. They successfully combine the excitement of action sequences with the safety of comedy, creating an energetic yet reassuring viewing experience perfect for family audiences seeking fun without fright.

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Every angle

The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again (1979) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

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