The Shakiest Gun in the West

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.

Don Knotts star in this wacky comedy/western.Knotts plays a Philadelphia Dentist who head west to bring oral hygiene.he gets more than he bargained for,in the process.Dr. Jesse Heywood's penchant for being timid nervous,and bumbling provide some pretty funny moments.Knotts is pretty funny here,but i really Barbara Rhoades as Penny.i loved her spunky,and her take no guff attitude.she is the perfect foil for Knott's Zaniness.while this movie won't change your life,it should make you laugh.even if it wasn't funny,i think it would still work as just a western.for me,The Shakiest Gun in the West is a 7/10

Jesse W. Haywood (Don Knotts) graduates from dental school in Philadelphia in 1870 and goes west "to fight oral ignorance." Meanwhile stagecoach robber Penelope "Bad Penny" Cushing (Barbara Rhoades) is offered a pardon if she will track down a ring of gun smugglers.

Don Knotts fans will enjoy this one, as it fits right in line with his regular comedy style (more like "Andy Griffith" or "Frame a Figg" and less like "Private Eyes"). There is plenty of physical comedy, especially early on, and if you like a bit of slapstick, this is for you.

By today's standards, the film may be considered questionable because of its portrayal of Native Americans. I am not one to be politically correct, but did find the scenes with them to be rather dated. Not offensive, but not really positive either. But I will not dwell on this.

Definitely one of Knotts' better films, and a good deal funnier than "Mr. Limpet".

The Shakiest Gun in the West This movie is so funny and many scenes are hysterical. Jesse W. Heywood/Don Knott's was studying to be a dentist. He has a female patient Mrs Stevenson/Katherine Barrett that won't open her mouth and he finally gets her mouth pried open puts in his finger and she bites it. His dental supervisor grabs her faces to show Jesses how to open her mouth and she kicks him. The expressions of Mrs Stevenson not opening her mouth is so funny. Jesse ends up fist fighting with her and they bat each other around. She fights like a man and almost wins til they end up on the ground and she is knocked out with her mouth open and Jesse works on her teeth. Jesse Heywood ends up graduating from dental school as a dentist. He wants to head west to do his dentistry. There are so many parts in this movie that are so funny. A few parts I did not like where the women's dress are too revealing. There are so many funny scenes. Dentist Heywood thinks he is a sharp shooter cause he shot a lot of Indians. His facial expressions of fears, pride and getting drunk are unbelievable. Watch it if you can