While the most remembered version of this often filmed story was a remake itself, this one lacks the magic in its casting of the leads. Mari Blanchard lacks the exotic fire of Marlene Dietrich, and sweet looking Aydie Murphy doesn't have the acting chops of James Stewart. So magic doesn't strike for the fourth time here, even with the color added and the presence of a magnificent supporting cast. I have yet to see "Frenchie" where Shelley Winters takes on the role of the cynical corrupt saloon girl reformed by love.
To summarize the plot, a deputy without a gun tries different means to tame a wild town, but it's corrupt even in small size from mayor Edgar Buchannan all the way down to the lush doctor (Wallace Ford). Lyle Better is the hard shooting racket running villain who has helped the town decrease in its attempt at a peaceful existence. The always wonderful Mary Wickes gets the part of the doctor's tough wife who gets into a scrape with Blanchard and seems to mop the floor with her, unlike Una Merkel tried with Dietrich.
Thomas Mitchell is excellent as the former deputy, now town drunk, made sheriff after Bettger kills the previous one. Lori Nelson and Alan Hale Jr. fill out other important parts. Some rather poor songs take over at the saloon, pleasantly sung but forgettable. This is entertaining, but obviously unnecessary, but the mid 1950's were filled with mediocre remakes of cinematic gems. To think that a Broadway version was just around the corner is perplexing even though it was a hit. Since this version, nobody has tried to remake it again, and only time will tell if it happens again.
To summarize the plot, a deputy without a gun tries different means to tame a wild town, but it's corrupt even in small size from mayor Edgar Buchannan all the way down to the lush doctor (Wallace Ford). Lyle Better is the hard shooting racket running villain who has helped the town decrease in its attempt at a peaceful existence. The always wonderful Mary Wickes gets the part of the doctor's tough wife who gets into a scrape with Blanchard and seems to mop the floor with her, unlike Una Merkel tried with Dietrich.
Thomas Mitchell is excellent as the former deputy, now town drunk, made sheriff after Bettger kills the previous one. Lori Nelson and Alan Hale Jr. fill out other important parts. Some rather poor songs take over at the saloon, pleasantly sung but forgettable. This is entertaining, but obviously unnecessary, but the mid 1950's were filled with mediocre remakes of cinematic gems. To think that a Broadway version was just around the corner is perplexing even though it was a hit. Since this version, nobody has tried to remake it again, and only time will tell if it happens again.