SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL SHERIFF!
James Garner!
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James Garner with Jack Elam!
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Walter Brennan joins us too!
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Blog bud Lisabindacity made a comment about six weeks ago that she likes Westerns. So do many of us and naturally, this got me thinking. I wanted to come up with a Western that was side-splitting-funny and enjoyable. Here's the result: 1969's spoof of a Western movie SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL SHERIFF starring James Garner as a stranger "just passing through town on his way to Australia". I couldn't help but notice that this character in the movie had been "on his way to Australia" for four years. So something was obviously up! Let's have a look-sie!
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This hilarious movie centers on a town that has already gone through three sheriffs (two were killed and the third ran away). Then Jason McCullough (James Garner) rides into this lawless and kooky town. His first stop is the saloon where he witnesses Joe Danby (Bruce Dern) kill another man in a gunfight. The Danbys are the local ranchers who rule by fear and intimidation and rip just about everbody off on the planet. Ah, but that is about to change. Garner applies for the job of Sheriff and the Mayor (Harry Morgan) and the town council are desperate to hire anyone! Garner's first order of business is to arrest Joe Danby for murder since the gunfight he'd witnessed that was--shall we say far from fair? The only trouble is, the jail doesn't have any bars on the cells because they're on order and haven't arrived yet! Bwahaha! And the rest you'll have to watch for yourselves. But let me give you a few clues about this film. The Deputy is a man named Jake (Jack Elam) whose resume is about as inspiring as Garner's; Jake's previous job was cleaning up the livery stable. So, yes there is a steep "learning curve"! The mayor's daughter, Prudy (Joan Hackett), develops a crush on Jason (Garner) but let's just say she's accident-prone. But wait, there's more! We also have killer Joe's Pa (Walter Brennan) who rides into town with Joe's two brothers Tom (Gene Evans) and Luke (Dick Peabody) to get Joe out of jail. Pa gets more than he bargained for when Garner turns the tables on the hoods with comedy that leaves one gunfighter hired to kill him dead, and the next one run out of after Garner throws rocks at him. The attempted prison break defies description! This is one of the more enjoyable movies for this time of year. And it leaves you laughing and wanting more!
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The Cast: James Garner-Jason McCullough; Joan Hackett-Prudy Perkins; Walter Brennan-Pa Danby; Harry Morgan-Olly Perkins; Jack Elam-Jake; Henry Jones-Henry Jackson; Bruce Dern-Joe Danby ; Willis Bouchey-Thomas Devery ; Gene Evans-Tom Danby; Walter Burke-Fred Johnson; Dick Peabody-Luke Danby; Chubby Johnson-Brady; Kathleen Freeman-Mrs. Danvers; Dick Haynes-Barkeeper; Directed by: Burt Kennedy; Written by: William Bowers.
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Golden Laurel Awards: 1970: 2nd place: Male Comedy Performance: James Garner; Nominated: Golden Laurel, Comedy: 4th place. Writers Guild of America: Best Comedy Written Directly for the Screen: William Bowers.
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A Cool bit of trivia: Character actor Jack Elam was best known for his roles as the scene-stealing, wild-eyed villain in Westerns my late Father loved such as Gunfight at the O.K. Corral and Once Upon a Time in the West. He died in 2003. A Hollywood accountant in the late 40s, Elam worked in bit parts until his tough-guy role opposite Tyrone Power in 1951's Rawhide, proved to be his "break". Roles in High Noon, Rancho Notorious, Kiss Me Deadly and Gunfight at the O.K. Corral followed. By the late 60s, Jack turned more towards comedy, parodying his longtime villain status in movies like Once Upon a Time in the West, Support Your Local Sheriff and Rio Lobo. Instantly recognizable by his immobile cockeye (the result of a scuffle as a 12 year-old), Elam worked mainly in television through the 80s and early 90s; in 1994, Jack Elam was inducted into the Hall of Great Western Performers in the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. I'm telling you: This is one hell of a funny movie.
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ENJOY!
posted by Michael Manning @ 12:01 AM
18 comments
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18 Comments:
Popped in for a visit. I never know which blog to visit so I just picked your first one on the top of the list.
my son is in film making and it is very exciting work for him.Lots of bounderies though,but lots of fun and lots of new people to meet.That's the part I would love.
The good, bad and the ugly,we all need friends.
I'm ratteling now,see ya xxxooo, friend.(not that your bad or ugly :)r r r,he he he
I bet my husband would love this, wait i'll bet he's already saw it a dozen times. He's a western nut. I do heart James Garner!
Somershade: Thanks for your smiles
and wonderful note. Best to your son. That is a very difficult cut-throat industry, yes. Unless you have contacts and plenty of friends to be supportive within and outside of the industry. Feel free to drop by anytime. Nice to have you along! :)
Patti-Cake: I'm sure. Everyone has seen this. It is absolutely hilarious. The prison break out scene will have you on the floor. Walter Brennan was so well cast!
I wanted to continue with some badly needed humor--which we all need! Smiles!!!!")
I've not seen this film, may have to seek it out!
Hey! This is going to cost me money... I have never heard of this movie but I like Westerns and James Garner, so I looked it up on my favorite DVD sales site and they had it in stock and have now ordered it.
For a guy who did make it down under check out Quigley Down Under with Tom Selleck.
The only silly thing is at the end of the movie where Aboriginals are portrayed the same way you see "Indians" portrayed in the old westerns. The Australian director should have put his foot down on that issue.
Another funny Western is the TV series
The Adventures of Brisco County Jr.
I can watch 'westerns'(that's what we called them in the country where I spent my childhood)any number of times. They never cease to entertain; Garner was a regular in those films, a crack shot with the gun, or else a bulls eye with the knife.
Now that IS my kind of movie. Two weeks ago I got from our local Library.
James Garner - Support your local gunfighter with almost the same cast.
Great choice for a movie pick Michael.
Glenn Bishop
This is one of my favorite topics. :)
Claire: Great! I'm happy that you are. This movie is hysterical! Wait until you see how Garner arrests a killer. I cannot say more. I'm already grinning!!!:)
Thomas: Somehow I could see you in a supporting role in this film! Wait until you hear Walter Brennan sizing up the stupidity of his kids!!!! :)!! And you're right. Support Your Local Gunfighter, I believe. Came by but you weren't home!
id is it!! Hey! I loved watching Westerns with my Dad!!!! Glad to see you here!!!!
Glenn: I'm available to be this kind of Sheriff!!! This is hilarious beyond belief! I thought we could all use a breather from election ads!
Skyblue2U: Me too! And with James Garner, how could you miss? But then, with Walter Brennan how could you miss 2? :)
I love westerns!!! All those cowboys...ahem, I best contain myself. Great choice. Is 'Support Your Local Gunman" The other one? ...I think that one was older?Anyways, have a great evening!
good movie Michael, we love western in our home. worked in a video store once and whilst talking to my mom about people renting out porn she came out with " I just don't understand where peoples morals are these days, we used to love movines like "Whip lash" and "Raw Hide", well I nearly wet myself at her lol
xx
shona
ps sorry for the lack of comment but our pc has been playin up with beta blogs arghh so playing catch up now on all my missed posts
xx
shona
Renae: "Support You Local Gunfighter" followed some years after. When I worked overnight radio, they';d have those old black & white re-runs of "The Rifleman" starring Chuck Conners. I thought it was so cool how he never broke eye contact with the camera with thatraised eyebrow as he as loading his rifle! You have a good night too. lol!
Shona: You had me laughing too! My parents used to ove that Canadian Mountie movie starring Nelson Eddie and Jeanette McDonald. When they were harmonizing to a song while sitting on horses and had their faces cheek-to-cheek I cracked up and my Dad looked at me so serious and with that accent said, "This is a good movie". I relate to PC trouble. The entire summer my PC was being built, and I'm renting computers all over town at Kinkos because I have everything packed for a move that was supposed to materialize around late September. So, in some ways I'm like the Garner Character. Only I'm not on my way to Australia. But I'd like to visit some day! lol!!!
I have a feeling that I have seen that movie.
Would Blazing Saddles also qualify?
I was never a fan of westerns but I have to say I like that cast a lot.
*Sigh* I love anything with James Garner. Was a big fan of The Rockford Files. Growing up I wanted to marry Little Joe Cartright or Nick on The Big Valley. Funny, but now that I'm older, I'd marry James Garner, lol!
D-Man: Oh yeah! But without the gas!
Bud: You are so right! This is a film that is just downright "silly-funny"! It tickles everybody and gives us a respite from the bleak news on the tube and radio! Enjoy!
Caroyn: I too am a huge fan of James Garner and the late Michael Landon. In fact, one of my favorite TV series was "Highway to Heaven". Of course, I liked "Audra" (Linda Evans) from "The Big Valley". If I ever bump into Yanni, I may just toss my head back (even without a pony tail) and say "Hey Yanni? Big mistake, dude". You Rock Carolyn!
Ok, found it ,watched it, Enjoyed it!!! Great pick.Funny movie that seems to be something ahead of it's time as far as the humor goes. Almost seemed to apply to today's point of view, just more real and simple.I am a huge fan of old movies.Some little flubs in the movie though. 13 cowboys arrive, 2 get shot in town, 13 still fighting...hhmmmmm. I've got some Elizabeth Taylor, my all around favorite, Shirly Temple's War Babies, Little rascals were in it before they were known as The Little Rascals. Lots of old classic cartoons, B&W Popeye,Felix the cat, little lulu, superman,etc.
My favorite movie has got to be "Some Like It Hot" with Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon. Now that's a movie you should watch for a good giggle. Big bowl of popcorn and a nice glass of wine. I think my favorite western type of movie still has to be "Tombstone" with Val Kilmer,Kurt Russell,Sam Elliott.I have seen " Wyatt Earp" with Kevin Costner.....still liked Tombstone better. Anyways, I could go on and on about old movies, but I think I have said far to much already. I can't beleive I've typed so much and not made a mistake..lol..I get to excited about certain old movies....cary grant, audrey hepburn,greta garbo,humphrey bogart,james dean, bing crosby....oh my that reminds me of one you may enjoy. "The Road To Morracco"-Bing Crosby and Bob hope. Very funny....I think I'm rambling now. Have a great weekend! cheers...
Renae: At least we'll know where the Archives are! lol! You have great taste. I have a horrible allergy to wine and cannot partake. But I have noted with keen interest your suggestions. Coming up next is a very special departure for "Friday Movie Suggestion Night", albeit, necessary and FUN! Stay tuned!!
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