Lay That Rifle Down

A winning mixture of slapstick with sentiment, this black and white Republic Pictures vehicle for talented bumpkin Judy Canova profits from the well-liked comedienne's vaudeville background, thereby evading sugary components that should have lessened the appeal of a work that additionally includes a very experienced cast and crew under the able direction of veteran Charles Lamont. Canova, playing as herself, is employed as charwoman and general maintenance worker at her aunt's hotel in "Greebville", striving to earn enough money to cover mortgage payments for her run-down "ranch" where she lives along with three orphaned youngsters and, as a means of forestalling boredom, Judy is also subscribing to a mail order course with the Continental Correspondence School, hoping therewith to find true love. After fibbing to her aunt and cousin that she has already found a beau, the fanciful "Poindexter March" who is coming while on military leave to visit her by bus, Judy is driven to the town's bus station where she desperately accosts a single man (Robert Lowery) and persuades him to pose as her swain, presenting a golden opportunity for him, because he is a confidence man, and her abrupt attachment to him enables "Poindexter" to shift into high gear with his crime partner for a swindle of the locals, eventually drawing out the greedy worst from Judy's relatives along with the small town's banker. The film, shot in the San Fernando Valley, is paced nicely, having nary a dull moment, and editing by Arthur Roberts is accomplished in crisp fashion. Considered a musical comedy, the work showcases Canova performing three numbers, including her well-known rendition of "Sleepy Serenade" and a newly composed novelty item, "I'm Awful Glad I Was Born On My Birthday", all lip synched here. The film's characters are more provincial than hayseed, and a well-written screenplay supplies interest within a viewer for each. Sprightly Canova is always enjoyable to watch in action, and she is ably backed here by a talented supporting cast of largely seasoned actors, Richard Deacon gaining performing honours for his astringently humorous turn as an avaricious bank official attempting to foreclose upon Judy's ranch for his personal financial benefit, while even the three children cared for by Canova play smoothly, closely coached by director Lamont.

Although Judy Canova was very popular back in the day, today most folks have never heard of her nor know about her popularity on the radio and in films. Her old fashioned country humor and yodeling are a bit passé today. However, despite her fading popularity, I had a good time watching "Lay That Rifle Down" and, shockingly, my extremely difficult to please wife liked the movie as well.

When the story begins, Judy is working like a slave for her nasty old aunt. Despite being a nice person, her work seems unappreciated....much like a more modern Cinderella.

Among the many ways the Aunt likes to have fun is making fun of Judy. In particular, she likes to remind her that she isn't pretty and has no man in her life. In a panic, Judy blurts out that she DOES have a boyfriend and he's visiting town soon. The family decides to call Judy on this and they insist on going down to the bus station to meet him. So, in a very funny scene, Judy approaches a random man getting off the bus and begs him to pretend to be her new boyfriend. Oddly, he really seems to enjoy this...and kisses her very passionately in front of everyone! Is this an answer to her prayers? Maybe...but what she doesn't realize is that this man is a crook! How can this crook actually turn out to be a GOOD think in Judy's life?!

This film is well written and engaging. Further, Canova never (thank God) yodels. And, one of her songs is actually very sweet and she has a lovely voice. This combined with likeable characters and a very satisfying finale make this a picture worth seeing.

Judy Canova's last starring feature has her drudging for her aunt, Jacqueline DeWit at her hotel. She's been boasting of a rich boyfriend, and when she claims he's going to be on a bus in a nearby town, she picks on Robert Lowery. Lowery is agreeable to hoaxing her friends and family. He's actually a con man, and he and partner Robert Burton pull a nice variation on the ring game; Burton goes to town banker Richard Deacon, claims to be a general looking to buy Miss Canova's farm for the government for as much as $50,000, and lets nature take its course.

Miss Canova sings three songs, and there are a couple of nice slapstick sequences under the direction of comedy specialist Charles Lamont. It's pleasant enough, but while Miss Canova would appear in a couple of more films, she was closing down her network radio show, so there would be no multi-media effect. She would appear on television and live shows through 1981, and die two years later at the age of 69.

I wish so much that family friendly comedy like this packed the theaters today. Nice plot twists and surprising talent from Judy Canova. Good blend of slapstick and situation comedy. My favorite line: "I was upstairs in the attic settin' mousetraps." I have to use that line sometime. The banker is played by a staple from the Dick Van Dyke show. He played "Mel". Can you name him? Watch for some low-key pathos as this country bumpkin manages her dignity, and her love for a houseful of orphans, in a sea of sharks. This may not seem related, but in the world of ballet, I recall how Ballerina Christine Sarry described the role of the cowgirl from Copland's "Rodeo". If you're not careful, you will break your neck doing those moves. In this film, Judy Canova, a skilled performer, must act like an awkward country girl, who is practicing body movements she learned from a fake charm school. There is a scene where the body control for this stunt was impressive, as it was funny. Turn on to Judy Canova. I must find more of her.