L'infallibile pistolero strabico

This was put out in 1971 because the 1969 Western spoof "Support Your Local Sheriff" had been a big hit. It shares an almost identical cast with the first one but isn't a sequel. In this one James Garner plays Latigo. He's a con man he gets to the town of Purgatory to escape from getting married. The townspeople thinks he's the legendary gunfighter Swifty Morgan who they sent for the settle a mine dispute. Also around are Taylor (Harry Morgan) who hired him, his high strung daughter Patience (Suzanne Pleshette) and Jug May (Jack Elam) who becomes his helper.

This isn't as fun as the earlier one because most of the jokes here were already used or are pretty bad (the explosions the town has every once in a while was a poor running gag). Also Garner's character in this one is pretty obnoxious while he was nice and kind in the earlier one. Still, this does have its moments and the cast gives it their all. I was glad to see Joan Hackett (who I found WAY too shrill) from the first one replaced by Pleshette. Pleshette (who just recently passed away) is young, full of life and lots of fun. Her attempts to kill Garner were actually pretty funny. Also Elam is on hand again and just as funny as he was in the previous one. Heck he even has the same sort of closing speech again! So, it's not as good as "Sheriff" but not bad. I give it a 7.

Really enjoyed 'Support Your Local Sheriff' when watching it during a much needed quiet afternoon, it was enormously entertaining, very affectionate and made with very clear love for the western genre. It was hard to resist a cast with the talent that it had, and despite not really warming to Joan Hackett they all did wonderfully. So there was no doubt about seeing 'Support Your Local Gunfighter', also directed by Burt Kennedy and with James Garner and Jack Elam returning.

Despite the title suggesting that it is a sequel, 'Support Your Local Gunfighter' isn't really. Other than having the same director and a few cast members returning, the only other thing in common is the tone with its comedic spoof approach. Comparing the two, 'Supprt Your Local Gunfighter' isn't as good and doesn't handle some of its elements as well or as consistently. It is still a good deal of fun though, with much to enjoy, and have no regrets at all watching it.

The comic timing is sharper in 'Support Your Local Sheriff' and the gags funnier. 'Gunfighter' still entertains a lot, but it isn't as smooth and tries a little too hard in spots. There is a running gag too that wears out its welcome too early, straining for laughs and only raises a small smile at best at first.

'Gunfighter's' characters were far more likeable in 'Sheriff's' while still interesting, was there any need for Suzanne Pleshette's heroine to be as psychotic-like? Am still not sure about the music, it fits tonally but with what goes on not quite so much always.

However, 'Gunfighter' looks good with handsome production design and scenery especially. The script is still witty and has enough very entertaining moments. Jack Elam's final speech is a gem and his final line is one of the funniest in US screen comedy perhaps. The pace is generally lively and the story clever, the affectionate tone again present. Could definitely tell that 'Gunfighter' was made and directed by somebody that loved and understood the western genre, treating it with respect without taking it too seriously.

James Garner is charismatic and easy going, if not having the same amount of charm as before. Pleshette does her best with what she was given and Chuck Connors is formidable in his role (Bruce Dern and Walter Brennan in 'Sheriff' made more of an impression though). Harry Morgan has great comic timing and looks as though he was enjoying himself, but it is Elam, a joy here, who steals the film.

Overall, not as good but well done. 7/10

This movie, while funny in many places, pales in comparison to the earlier Support Your Local Sheriff. The first movie, with much of the same cast, is a solid 10 but I can only give this one a 7 at best. All of the actors who were in both movies did a better job in the first one and Joan Hackett was surprisingly better than Suzanne Pleshette.

They just aired them back to back and the superiority of Sheriff was glaringly apparent. Sheriff flows along smoothly with great dialog but this one seems to stutter and try too hard. The premise of the first movie is also better and the opening scene sets the tone for the hilarity that follows. Again this one just doesn't do that as well. I always liked Garner and he was brilliant in both movies but maybe they should have quit while they were ahead and never made this one.

Garner's wonderful in this spoof, which is a follow-up to SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL SHERIFF. Still, this film has more than enough merits of its own. The humor after all these years still holds up, & it's one that needs to be viewed again & again. It's as fresh now as it was then.

Good wholesome family entertainment without any of today's obvious little references towards sex and bad language. James Garner always gives a fine performance with his flair for comedy. Be sure to also see "Support Your Local Sheriff". The kids will love it.