La straniera

First off, someone took the easy way out on the naming the title of this movie. They must have left it for last or someone in corporate said hey call it strange lady in town. What? Okay, let's move on. Dana Andrews plays his part as does Greer and what's not to like in a Western. The West of the 1880's was full of never ending stories all from different perspectives and here is one of them. Lady doctor and a man doctor in one small town? Add some horses, festivals, gun-play, good and bad guys, love interests, poor Mexican village, a padre and little ranches and we giddiyup! I will say that the story could have been more developed but the point is that they got together and knocked this out. It entertains and I recommend a sandwich with a tasty drink while watching with a snack on standby. Mount-up and let's ride!

For Greer Garson's first film after leaving MGM she chose a western the only one in her career. Strange Lady In Town casts her as a woman doctor come to settle in Santa Fe, New Mexico territory. Her brother Cameron Mitchell is already there serving in the army. Also there is another doctor played by Dana Andrews who isn't crazy about the new competition. Dana's tomboyish daughter Lois Smith does like the new doctor however and Greer starts teaching Lois some feminine ways.

Garson with a new knowledge of medical advances pretty much shows up Andrews in many ways. But Dana's a bit confused here between jealousy and a little desire. Truth be told he behaves until almost the end of the film like a bit of a lout.

Mitchell however is a real bad one, somebody whom the army failed to discipline. His actions cause a crisis of conscience for Garson even with all the good work she's done.

Greer does look a little lost in the wide open west, but then again her part does call for her to be a fish out of water. Strange Lady In Town which seems to have anticipated Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman is a nice tale and there's a nice little bit performance by Nick Adams as Billy The Kid.

I think western fans and Garson fans will approve.

From the onset, you will probably notice how strange the casting is on this one. After all, of all the actresses to be in a Western, Greer Garson is probably the last you'd expect to see! It gets even weirder when you see she's playing a lady who was born in Boston, as her accent is as much Boston as Brigitte Bardot's! Why didn't they just say she was from England...now THAT would have made sense! And, to make it worse, her brother in the film is played by Cameron Mitchell--who is NOTHING like Greer...NOTHING.

The film is set in Santa Fe during the late 19th century. It begins with a plucky female doctor (Garson) arriving there not only to see her no-good brother but also to live there. However, there already is one doctor in town (Dana Andrews) and he's a sexist who insists that women aren't cut out for 'man's work'. Not surprisingly, the pair eventually fall in love. However, it's the stuff in the middle that makes the film interesting...but I'll let you see that for yourself.

"Strange Lady in Town" is a great example of a decent film despite insane casting decisions. While the film is far from a classic (as it's awfully predictable in some ways), it never was dull and is worth seeing. Plus, while miscast, Garson tried her best and Andrews was, as always, excellent.

By the way, the film shows an insane cliché. When a guy is getting a tooth pulled, his 'friend' bashes him on the head with his gun butt to knock him out!! Kid's DON'T try this at home...all you'll really achieve is brain damage!

Set in 1880s , old Santa Fe , New Mexico, a young female doctor from Boston arrives in Santa Fe to establish her new medical practice , but she's involved into a lot of troubles . Dr. Julia Garth (Greer Garson) uses of diplomacy and trustworthy and she is set to live with her brother, U. S. Cavalry lieutenant David Garth (Cameron Mitchell) . But the town already has a male physician, Dr. Rourke O'Brien Dana Andrews) and problems emerge . His tomboy niece , Spurs O'Brien (Lois Smith who nowadays goes on playing) , has a teenage crush on the handsome Cavalry lieutenant David Garth, Julia's brother. The first hospital of this community is managed by friendly Catholic priest Father Gabriel Mendoza (Walter Hampden) and a few nuns. Conflicts arise when her medicine knwledges are opposite to traditional doctor Rourke . As Julia brings peace and harmony to the local society , the poor Mexican people and Indian community . Later on , Julia is perplexed by his brother who turns a criminal life , becoming an outlaw and resulting in fateful consequences. She was the one woman Rork didn't want in Santa Fe ... but he'd kill anybody who'd try to make her leave ...!

A soap-opera Western stars a brave female doctor who uses the power of medic science and her raw courage to vanquish difficulties . Acceptable picture allegedly based on actual events , the film has agreeable messages dealing with an obstinate physician who fights for the rights of the Mexicans and other unfortunate people and based on mutual respect for independence of the Woman rather than submission to Man , as well as demonstrations of modern medical science . As our starring brings to the West the latest medical theories , equipment as well as innovations and opposed by an established doctor . Main and support cast are frankly good . Greer Garson gives an attractive acting by playing a female doctor who plans to introduce modern techniques of medicine , while Dana Andrews is nice as the serious widower doctor who eventually falls for her and Lois Smith as his rebel daughter . Along with a stunning support cast , such as : Cameron Mitchell, Walter Hampden , Pedro Gonzalez Gonzalez , Joan Camden , José Torvay, Frank DeKova , ordinary nasty Robert J. Wilke, Russell Johnson , Gregory Walcott , Douglas Kennedy , Paul Birch and brief apperances of two historical characters : New Mexico Governor Lewis Wallace who wrote ¨Ben Hur¨ -well performed by Ralph Moody- and pardoned Billy The Kid played by early deceased Nick Adams.

It contains a colorful and gorgeous cinematography in CinemaScope and Technicolor by Harold Rosson and Robert Surtees , shot on location in Ironwood Forest National Monument, Arizona, Tucson Mountains , Sonoran Desert, Arizona, Sierrita Mountains, Arizona . This Grand scale Western was professionally directed by Mervyn Leroy , though it was unsuccessful . Mervyn was a Hollywood craftsman who earlier made the classic mobster movie : ¨Little Caesar¨ with Edward G. Robinson and furthermore , he produced and partly directed, without credit the studio's classic Wizard of Oz (1939) . He was a typical Hollywood filmmaker who directed a lot of lavish and usually successful movies, such as : Gold Diggers 1933 , I am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang , Waterloo Bridge , Anthony Adverse , Devil at 4 O'Clock , Gypsy , Million Dollar Mermaid, Without Reservations , Little Women that won Academy Award : Oscar 1949 Art Direction/Set Decoration, Thirty seconds over Tokyo and his big hit : Quo Vadis . The picture will appeal to Greer Garson fans and Western aficionados .

First off it's Garson's last film. And secondly it features a very distinct difference in acting styles. Garson displays her grand style in use of language and presentation as if she were back on the stage. Andrews displays the man from "The Best Years of Our Lives" years on who opted to not so much act as be present. And then there's the new kid, Lois Smith. Her very contemporary (for 1955) Brandoesque inhabiting of "Spurs" puts all of this together in the strangest way imaginable. I think SHE was the "Strange Lady in Town" or at least this movie.

There is also the reality of how women Hollywood films seem to be retired once the aging process makes them too old for leading ladies. Garson isn't the best representative for this argument because her acting style was of another era. But she should have been able to continue on were she not so much a star. That comes through here loud and clear.