The Gentleman from Arizona

My next door neighbor was a producer on this film, and he screened it for my family in his wonderful old west screening room at his estate when I was a kid. A better than average B-movie of the era, The Gentleman from Arizona was shot in great color, with an engaging cast and historic locations. Some of the scenes were filmed in the Arizona Biltmore area when there was a fancy riding stable there. I think the stables were torn down in the early 1970's.

Charlie Goetz, our neighbor, explained that they had of course wanted Shirley Temple to play the role of the little girl, but she was unavailable. Ruthie Reese stepped up, singing, dancing and meddling her little heart out.

The requisite cowboy/rancher's daughter romance, sneering bad guy and exciting horse race make this a fun picture. Lots of music and pretty scenery add in to make it a charming time capsule of early Arizona film making.

my name mark Patterson, born 1954,i was friends with "jay haley" in Madison no1,also adored his sister "rosie",I believe she is not with us,and earla,who was also fun,his father had a studio in their home on I believe "Oregon,or,colter on 16th st.area.MR. HALEY,WAS PURE OLD Hollywood,HAT,CLASSY CAR,ALWAYS DRESSED,ALWAYS A DAPPER,ARTIST!!,I FORGET JAYS MOTHER,TIME TAKES US,SHE WAS GORGEOUS now,i have so lost contact with all,i believe mr. haley passed at the v.a. where I worked,they,earla,and I believe rosie were there,being shy,being 25so years,and they were deathwatch,i didn't say,talk ,figuring tomorrow would be better,AS LIFE IS,NO TOMORROW,HE PASSED.and anyone here knowing the whereabouts,and where,how,jay,earla,are,please respond,as they all were a grand unique family,god bless them all!!!, mark, hpatterson8@cox.net, and getting this movie,i am sure he was the phoenix DIRECTOR,haley!!!!

Well done - a real 'benchmark' for the movie industry. Worth watching. It will depicts the Phoenix, Arizona area in the late 1930's. Rewarding entertainment for ALL ages! Very original and excellent directing and extremely well written.

I have known about this movie all my life but had never seen it until recently. It is a classic western story; good cowboy vs bad Easterner, good looking cowboy trying to get beautiful girl, desperate rancher trying to save the ranch, innocent little girl trying to stay with her animal friends, and last, but not least, the beautiful stallion who wins the big race and thereby makes everything else happen.

In the end, the ranch is saved, the cowboy gets the girl, the bad guy is defeated and goes away, and the stallion returns to the wild where he whinnies his thanks while silhouetted against an Arizona evening sky before disappearing over the hill. Cowboy, beautiful girl and charming little girl smile and wave goodbye.

More than just a old movie, this film is a time capsule that gives us a glimpse back to another time and a way of life that we would know nothing of otherwise.

Thank you Earl J Haley...

Tom Chick