Rodeo Dough is the first part of the ninth episode of the series Heathcliff and Dingbat. This is based on Heathcliff, rather than Dingbat. It is followed by second part of the episode Pinocchio Rides Again.
Synopsis[]
Heathcliff and Grubs enter a Rodeo to win one hundred dollars.
Plot[]
Heathcliff and Sonja are on a date. As Heathcliff rummages through a trash can in his charming accent, Sonja playfully compliments him on his romantic disposition. He discovers a smelly bone, which he tosses aside, prompting another compliment from Sonja. Suddenly, they hear an announcement blaring from a megaphone attached to a passing vehicle, promoting the upcoming Rodeo shows this Saturday. The announcement features a prize of one hundred dollars for anyone who can stay on a bull for more than three minutes.
Inspired by the prospect of winning the prize, Heathcliff decides to participate in the rodeo, much to Sonja's delight as she admires his machismo. Meanwhile, the dogcatcher, Grubs, hears the same announcement and, excited about the prize, makes his way to the rodeo.
At the rodeo stadium, Heathcliff encourages Sonja to watch the events unfold. The rodeo announcer kicks off the first contest: "Wild Bronco Riding," featuring Grubs on a horse named Ridger Mornings. The horse gives Grubs a tough time, bucking up and down. In a moment of desperation, Grubs asks whether the horse will go left or right, and to his surprise, the horse complies, throwing him off horizontally and sending him crashing into the wall after Heathcliff greets him and hands him a trophy.
Next comes the chuckwagon race, where Grubs initially thinks he has no competition but soon finds himself up against Heathcliff. As the race begins, Grubs’ horses refuse to move. Heathcliff tries to offer some advice, but Grubs’ horses take off in pursuit of carrots, leaving him behind. In a moment of desperation, Grubs resorts to dirty tricks, tying Heathcliff's carriage to a fence, causing it to flip over.
Amidst Grubs' taunts and laughter, Heathcliff devises a clever plan. He attaches a helium tank to a plunger and uses a bow to launch it into Grubs’ wagon, inflating it into the air until it is struck by a nearby lightning bolt. Grubs lands safely, thanks to his trusty cowboy hat, but he inadvertently falls onto the bull, which catapults him into the air and back onto the beast's back.
For a moment, Heathcliff and Sonja share a brief interaction as he navigates through the chaos involving the bull. Heathcliff grabs the bull's attention by waving a red cloth, provoking it to charge. Unbeknownst to him, a ground beef grinder is hiding behind the cloth, which causes the bull to retreat in fear, leaving Grubs stunned and poking at the spot where the bull once stood. However, Heathcliff mimics a cattle call, sending Grubs scurrying back to the same fence where the bull had escaped.
In the end, the host awards Heathcliff the prize money: a crisp one hundred dollar bill, now that Grubs and the bull have both forfeited. Ecstatic, Sonja rushes in to congratulate him. With their newfound winnings, Heathcliff and Sonja enjoy a proper date at a cozy restaurant called "Del Monico," savoring their delicious meal together.
Characters[]
Main Charaters[]
Supporting Characters[]
- Announcer
- Toro
- Dude Ranchers
- Host
Trivia[]
- The first episode to reveal the dogcatcher's name "Grubs".