Comin' Round the Mountain (1951) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A comedic quest for hidden gold entangles rival clans, magical mishaps, and romantic entanglements.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

The Manhattan Hillbilly's Debut

Agent Al Stewart books Dorothy McCoy and an incompetent escape artist at a New York club. Dorothy recognizes the escape artist's scream as a family yell, sparking a journey to Kentucky.

Key Events

• NYC Nightclub Booking — Al Stewart books Dorothy McCoy and an incompetent escape artist for the same venue. Characters: Al Stewart, Dorothy McCoy Location: New York Nightclub
• Wilbert's Failed Escape — Wilbert fails to escape his restraints and screams desperately for help. Characters: Al Stewart, Dorothy McCoy Location: New York Nightclub
• McCoy Yell Recognition — Dorothy recognizes Wilbert's scream as the distinctive McCoy clan yell. Characters: Dorothy McCoy Location: New York Nightclub
• Dressing Room Evidence — A photograph and concertina prove Wilbert is the long-lost grandson of Squeeze Box McCoy. Characters: Al Stewart, Dorothy McCoy Location: Wilbert's Dressing Room
• Journey to Kentucky — The group travels to Kentucky to locate Granny McCoy and uncover family secrets. Characters: Al Stewart, Dorothy McCoy, Granny McCoy Location: Road to Kentucky

Kentucky Feud & Family Secrets

The group arrives in Kentucky where Granny McCoy recounts a decades-old clan feud. Dorothy's romantic ties to Clark Winfield complicate the quest for hidden gold.

Key Events

• Journey to Kentucky — The group travels to Kentucky to locate Granny McCoy and uncover family secrets. Characters: Al Stewart, Dorothy McCoy, Granny McCoy Location: Road to Kentucky
• Feud Storytelling — Granny McCoy recounts the sixty-year history of the McCoy-Winfield clan feud. Characters: Granny McCoy, Al Stewart, Dorothy McCoy Location: McCoy Homestead
• Turkey Shoot Challenge — Wilbert is chosen to represent the McCoys against Devil Dan Winfield in a traditional contest. Characters: Granny McCoy, Al Stewart, Dorothy McCoy Location: McCoy Grounds
• Marriage Requirement — Granny states that Wilbert must marry before she will reveal the hidden gold location. Characters: Granny McCoy, Dorothy McCoy Location: McCoy Homestead
• Proposal to Dorothy — Wilbert proposes to Dorothy, who declines because she loves Clark Winfield. Characters: Dorothy McCoy, Clark Winfield Location: McCoy Homestead
• Visit to Aunt Huddy — Granny sends Wilbert to the local witch to obtain a love potion for Dorothy. Characters: Al Stewart, Dorothy McCoy, Granny McCoy, Aunt Huddy Location: Aunt Huddy's Hut

Witchcraft & Potion Chaos

Granny's demand for marriage leads to a visit to the local witch Aunt Huddy. A mishap with a love potion causes widespread romantic confusion among the group.

Key Events

• Visit to Aunt Huddy — Granny sends Wilbert to the local witch to obtain a love potion for Dorothy. Characters: Al Stewart, Dorothy McCoy, Granny McCoy, Aunt Huddy Location: Aunt Huddy's Hut
• Voodoo Doll Mishap — Huddy and Wilbert create voodoo dolls and stick pins, causing mutual pain. Characters: Aunt Huddy, Dorothy McCoy Location: Aunt Huddy's Hut
• Potion Crash Landing — Wilbert crashes into a tree while flying the broom, spilling the love potion. Characters: Al Stewart, Dorothy McCoy, Aunt Huddy Location: McCoy Homestead Yard
• Universal Love Potion — Everyone sips the spilled potion and falls in love indiscriminately. Characters: Dorothy McCoy, Clark Winfield, Aunt Huddy, Granny McCoy Location: McCoy Homestead
• Potion Fades & Wedding Prep — The potion's effects fade, and Clark and Dorothy resume their wedding preparations. Characters: Dorothy McCoy, Clark Winfield Location: McCoy Homestead
• Winfield Clan Arrival — The Winfield clan arrives at the homestead ready for a physical confrontation. Characters: Devil Dan Winfield, Clark Winfield, Dorothy McCoy, Al Stewart, Granny McCoy Location: McCoy Homestead

Fort Knox Fiasco

The Winfield clan arrives, escalating tensions until a stray bullet spills the potion. The treasure hunt leads them to breach a rock vault, only to discover they are at Fort Knox.

Key Events

• Winfield Clan Arrival — The Winfield clan arrives at the homestead ready for a physical confrontation. Characters: Devil Dan Winfield, Clark Winfield, Dorothy McCoy, Al Stewart, Granny McCoy Location: McCoy Homestead
• Stray Bullet & Potion Spill — A stray bullet breaks the potion jar, causing Devil Dan to taste it and fall for Wilbert. Characters: Devil Dan Winfield, Clark Winfield, Dorothy McCoy Location: McCoy Homestead
• Map Revelation — Matt reveals the treasure map hidden inside Wilbert's concertina. Characters: Granny McCoy, Dorothy McCoy, Al Stewart, Devil Dan Winfield Location: McCoy Homestead
• Mine Breach — Devil Dan assists the group in breaking through rock to reach the hidden vault. Characters: Devil Dan Winfield, Clark Winfield, Dorothy McCoy, Al Stewart, Granny McCoy Location: Winfield Territory Mine
• Gold Vault Discovery — The group breaks through to a vault filled with gold bars. Characters: Devil Dan Winfield, Clark Winfield, Dorothy McCoy, Al Stewart, Granny McCoy Location: Fort Knox Vault
• Armed Guard Arrest — Armed federal guards arrive to arrest the hapless treasure seekers. Characters: Devil Dan Winfield, Clark Winfield, Dorothy McCoy, Al Stewart, Granny McCoy Location: Fort Knox

Story Breakdown

• Theatrical Booking Setup — Introduction to the nightclub act and initial inciting incident.
  • Nightclub Debut — Al Stewart books Dorothy McCoy for a New York show.
  • Escape Artist Failure — The Great Wilbert fails his act and screams for help.
• Kentucky Clan Journey — Travel to Kentucky to uncover family heritage and secrets.
  • Feud History Reveal — Granny McCoy explains the sixty-year McCoy-Winfield rivalry.
  • Turkey Shoot Challenge — Wilbert is selected to compete against Devil Dan Winfield.
• Romantic Complications — Love interests and marriage demands complicate the gold hunt.
  • Dorothy's True Love — Dorothy rejects Wilbert due to her feelings for Clark Winfield.
  • Marriage Ultimatum — Granny insists Wilbert must marry to reveal the gold location.
• Witchcraft Potion Chaos — A magical love potion causes widespread romantic confusion.
  • Aunt Huddy Visit — The group seeks the local witch for a romantic remedy.
  • Voodoo Doll Mishap — Huddy and Wilbert accidentally inflict pain via voodoo dolls.
• Treasure Map Revelation — The hidden map is discovered, leading to the final quest.
  • Concertina Secret — Matt reveals the treasure map concealed inside Wilbert's instrument.
  • Winfield Territory Entry — Devil Dan assists the group in navigating hostile territory.
• Fort Knox Climax — The treasure hunt concludes with an unexpected federal discovery.
  • Vault Breach — The group breaks through rock to find a gold-filled vault.
  • Armed Guard Arrest — Federal agents arrive to arrest the intruders at Fort Knox.

Directed by

Charles Lamont

Key Cast

• Bud Abbott — Al Stewart
• Lou Costello — Wilbert Smith
• Dorothy Shay — Dorothy McCoy
• Kirby Grant — Clark Winfield
• Joe Sawyer — Kalem McCoy