Henry Goes Arizona

Henry Conroy (Frank Morgan) is a New York performer who is afraid of everything especially guns. He inherits an Arizona ranch from his half-brother. Molly Cullison (Virginia Weidler) is his newly discovered 'niece'. It turns out that the brother was murdered for the ranch. Innocent Danny Regan is on trial for the murder and he is supported by Judge Van Treece (Guy Kibbee).

Frank Morgan is great. Weidler is adorably spunky. She does become more the star of this movie. She has a great turn. I'm less convinced with his moves. I really wish that she comes to his rescue for the climatic peak. This is a fun comedic western.

Terrific B-western/comedy starring Frank Morgan (THE WIZARD OF OZ) as a cowardly vaudeville performer who inherits a ranch in Tonto City, Arizona. HENRY GOES ARIZONA offers up plenty of the old B-western formulas and clichés, but with a comedic twist. This, along with excellent performances by Morgan, Virginia Weidler (the kid from THE PHILADELPHIA STORY) and veteran character actor Guy Kibbee, raise this one far above the ordinary run of mediocre B-oaters.

8/10

(Addendum, 10/21/05: I'm glad to see that more people are seeing this great little movie. It deserves the exposure.)

This film is just pure delight. If you want a serious flick on the world's problems, this isn't one of them. Half of it doesn't even make sense, which is a great part of its easy charm. Is this really Arizona in 1939, or did the director even bother checking out the place? It really doesn't matter. If Frank Morgan was half as nice a man in real life as he is in this picture, then I wish I had known him. Young Virginia Weidler is a delight. Morgan's comedic timing ought to be studied in film schools. He can move from yes to no and back to yes on a dime. The first scenes in the film when, as an out of work actor, he's offered a vaudeville job as the target of a drunken sharpshooter, is a masterpiece of fast dialog and twisting body language. Nobody ever dithered like Frank Morgan. Thanks to TCM for showing it and don't miss it the next time.

ANY opportunity to see Frank Morgan (The WIZARD !) is going to be an adventure. This came out the same year as Wizard of Oz, but which one do we remember ?? anyway... Henry inherits a property out west, and the local farm-hands are up to some no-good shenanigans. Character actor Guy Kibbee is the Judge, who helps figure out what's going on. At about 17:25 minutes, they dub out whatever Henry says after throwing the knife. The silence is deafening. Weird dubbing. Henry walks around trying to run the ranch while they are plotting around him. Virginia Weidler is in here as Molly. She was the extra precious little daughter in "The Women". She croaked quite young at 41... heart issues. The actor playing "Danny" (Owen Davis) also died age 41... drowning. Film has only 150 votes as of today.. Turner Classics must not show this one very often. Directed by Ed Marin..... who ALSO died young at 52. Marin had directed a bunch of the "Maisie" films, as well as a slew of westerns. It's pretty good. Plot is kind of jumpy, but any film with Morgan and Kibbee can't be all bad. Check it out if you can catch it!

This little known film was shown the other night thanks to TCM. It proved to be a delightful surprise. The film directed by Edwin Marin and based on a story by W.C. Tuttle, makes a well spent sixty-six minutes.

Best of all is Frank Morgan, who plays a man who suddenly learns about he has inherited his step-brother's ranch in Arizona after having failed in Manhattan. The film is fun because of the contrast the cattle farm presents for city slicker Henry Conroy.

The supporting cast is excellent. The charming Virginia Weidler plays Molly, who takes to Henry immediately, as she thinks she has found a father figure at last. Guy Kibee, Slim Summerville, Douglas Fowley and Owen Davis Jr., are seen in minor roles.

The film is a lot of fun thanks to Frank Morgan who is amazing in it.