The Shakiest Gun in the West

If you happen to own or rent the Don Knotts "Reluctant Hero" pack, this is one of the four films, and probably the least strong in terms of comedy. It is a remake of the movie Paleface, with Bob Hope and Jane Russell, not exactly shot for shot, but close. A lot of the same jokes were used, and the plot is identical.

However, I still recommend this film. It's got some very funny stuff. While I'm not usually a fan of remakes, I thought this WAS better than Paleface, though it could just be I saw this one so many times first. Son of Paleface I had seen before Paleface, and I enjoy that one quite a lot.

Apart from the comedy in this film, we get Barbara Rhoades, the love interest. Let me just say, VA VA VOOM! YOWZA! and COR, BLIMEY! You'll have to see for yourself though....

This fits nicely into Knotts' "reluctant hero" idea, and I recommend it overall. It's a fun film.

P.S. "How's it going, Heywood?"

This is one of the most surprising films I have recently seen. I first saw it as a kid and liked it. However, I saw it again recently after one of my students brought it in and asked if his 8th grade history class could watch it. Well, I figured the movie had nothing to do with the class so I made some excuses not to use it. Later in the year, we had a day just before the break and once again he asked if the class could watch it. Well, we were about to do a small unit on the real West, so I reluctantly agreed. The film turned out to be pretty helpful in discussing Hollywood myths about the old West (as it had a few like most Westerns) but I was also VERY surprised to see how much 8th graders today liked the film. This actually says something, because normally these kids would never watch an "ancient" film like this--choosing instead to watch only the latest releases. But the film held their attention and I heard a lot of laughs. It's actually better than I remembered and is far better than a lot of Don Knotts' other films (such as THE INCREDIBLE MR. LIMPET or THE APPLE DUMPLING GANG--yuck).

Don Knotts gets one of his most beloved film vehicles here with this amiable remake of the Bob Hope comedy "The Paleface". That master of nervous energy plays Jesse W. Heywood, a Philadelphia dentist in the 19th century who decides that he wants to ply his trade in the Old West. Instead, he gets mixed up with a former outlaw turned government agent (striking, fiery redhead Barbara Rhoades), whose mission is to expose the men selling rifles to the Comanches.

"The Shakiest Gun in the West" is a cute, if not uproarious, Western comedy. It has enough laughs, production values, and spirited performances to make it a good time. The gags (some of them recycled from "The Paleface") were never quite inspired for this viewer, but they were still worthy of some chuckles. Certainly Knotts is perfectly cast as this tenderfoot who is led to believe that he's handier in a scrap than he really is. Roles like this were his stock in trade for years. Sexy Rhoades is a very fine leading lady, and the supporting cast features a reasonable amount of familiar faces: Jackie Coogan, Don 'Red' Barry, Ruth McDevitt, Frank McGrath, Terry Wilson, Carl Ballantine, Pat "Mr. Miyagi" Morita, Dub Taylor, Dick Wilson, etc.

Vic Mizzy, the regular composer for these Universal / Don Knotts comedies, comes up with appropriately goofy music, and a talented crew create a great, classic Western look for the various wacky goings-on.

Good fun for Don Knotts fans.

Seven out of 10.

Knotts at his inept best as a bumbling dentist who is taken in at every turn by swindlers, gun runners, and a conniving lady outlaw. I liked the use of 2 regular players on "Wagon Train" as members of Knotts party. I didn't like Myron Healy being uncredited.

I saw this movie,by accident.It reminded me a lot,of the book,The Puppy Who Lost his Way.It was filled with well written classic comedy,that I can only see Mr. Knotts performing. The boy,being society.I think it was followed in spirit by other films further down the line.Funny Farm,and it's own references to a miss-adventures in an element that is not ones own. I give it four and a half stars on a scale of five.Two thumbs up,fine holiday fun.....