La figlia dello sceriffo

While Blazing Saddles was one of the Western genres most successful comedies, A TICKET TO TOMAHAWK could have been a precursor to it. While the Mel Brooks blockbuster was stuffed with corny jokes, Tomahawk's humor was more subtle. And its writing therefore to me was more impressive, especially when you least expected it. When Dan Dailey kept shouting at his Indian chief friend, Crooked Knife, during an uprising, trying to identify himself, the Chief continued to shoot arrows at him. Character Madame Adelaide asks him--in the line of battle--"A friend of yours?" He replies, "Fair weather." This title tries to suck you in and use Marilyn Monroe's name value, but of course she had a very bit part. It had a fun cast, and besides the action and comedy, the bonus was the gorgeous Colorado scenery. I'd watch it again for all of that.

A fun movie. Marilyn Monore had a bit part as a dance-hall girl. Colorado mountain colors were beautiful. Need more movies like this.

Not a great deal to write home about here, this is safe, at times bright, but instantly forgettable fare. The plot basically revolves around a group of honest do good folk trying to get the monopoly on the transport rights by getting their train to an appointed destination in Colorado on time. Naturally the bad guy stagecoach owner wants to stop them, thus no threat to his money maker you see, so the good folk led by Kit Dodge Jr (a sort of Virginal Calamity Jane) have to contend with his underhand tricks and of course the peril provided by Indian raids.

Anne Baxter (Kit) is as cute as a button and most agreeable in the piece, the role is a sort of comedy version of her excellent serious role as Constance Mae 'Mike' in 1948s wonderful Yellow Sky. Joining Anne for this frothy train romp is Dan Dailey, Rory Calhoun and the always watchable Walter Brennan, whilst a mention has to be made that Marilyn Monroe appears in an uncredited role, see if you can spot her? Western purists will no doubt be lifted by the fact that Tonto himself (Chief Thundercloud) also appears, tho it has to be said that he looks rather bemused by it all. 5/10

Buy the Ticket to Tomahawk and you've bought a comedy, a musical and action packed western all in one. The great adventure starts when the train has to go from Epitaph to Tomahawk through the Colorado Rockies with 40 miles of track gone, hostlile Indians and a gang of henchmen. Ann Baxter gives a riveting performance as deputy Marshal Kit Dodge Jr, who is better at tottin a gun or knife than the men folk. Dan Daily shows his multiple talents as Johnny Behind-the-Deuces. Daily is skillful at singing, joking and negotiating which comes in handy when dealing with Chief Thundercloud. Walter Brennan as Terence Sweeny has never been better as the frustrated engineer who got more than he bargained for. Rory Calhoun as the stagecoach promoter Dakota plays a tough balancing act as the hired hand trying to play both sides of the fence.

Tomahawk is notable for the debut of Marilyn Monroe in a walk-on cameo as a chorus showgirl and Western star Jack Elam. Also featured is Victor Sen Yung who was Hop Sing of "Bonanza" fame. Will Wright plays the crusty old codger he is well noted for. Pawnee (Chief Yowlachie) adds the much needed protection with his own tomahawk as the faithful deterrent. Rounding out an excellent cast are Connie Gilchrist as Madame Adelaide, Arthur Hunnicutt as Sad Eyes and Charles Kemper as Chuckity. Baxter and Monroe went on to appear in All About Eve together the same year.

In 1876, the Tomahawk & Western Railroad will put the stagecoach business out of business IF it gets a passenger from Epitaph to Tomahawk, Colorado by noon on a specified day. A pistol-packin' Ann Baxter protects the trip with Dan Dailey as the unwilling passenger. Victor Sen Yung (later Hop Sing on Bonanza runs the Long Time Laundry. Worth watching if only to catch a glimpse of Jack Elam as Fargo and Marilyn Monroe as one of the dancing bar girls (neither is credited).