Film buffs love to say Debbie Reynolds is 'underrated' as an actress--but most of her fluffy output from the 1960s look suspiciously like Doris Day cast-offs. Finally, in "The Second Time Around", she gets a sparkling comedy, a disarming concoction with Reynolds in good form as a widowed mother of two who relocates to Arizona in search of work and ends up the new mayor of a tumbleweed town. Sharp script, colorful supporting work from Andy Griffith, Thelma Ritter, Juliet Prowse and the reliable Steve Forrest, and a fine sense of atmosphere and nuance makes this one of Debbie's best comic vehicles. *** from ****
20 Reviews
Reasonably amusing!
JohnHowardReid23 June 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Copyright 1 November 1961 by Cummings-Harman Productions. Released through 20th Century-Fox Film Corp. New York opening at the Paramount: 22 December 1961. U.S. release: 26 October 1961. U.K. release: 4 February 1962. 8,880 feet. 99 minutes.
SYNOPSIS: Charleyville is a typical pioneer town at the turn of the century, peppered with outlaws, saloon-thugs and gamblers who make life tough for the ranch folk. Broke and friendless, Debbie takes a job as ranch-hand with Aggie Gates (Thelma Ritter), aiming to collect enough money to send for the two youngsters she has left in New York with her mother-in-law. Saloon-keeper Dan Jones (Steve Forrest) and his dance-hall sweetheart (Juliet Prowse) are an immediate threat to Debbie's security, as is Sheriff Yoss (Ken Scott) whose loose government Debbie attacks at once and sets out to fight to a showdown. Befriending Debbie in a series of adventures through which she learns to slug her way with the best of them, is neighboring rancher Pat Collins (Andy Griffith).
NOTES: The novel by Richard Emery Roberts entitled "Star in the West" was first published in 1951. To coincide with the movie release, Pocketbooks launched an initial printing of 500,000 copies. As the movie chalked up no great returns at the box-office, I wonder how many copies were pulped?
COMMENT: Far-fetched and not to be taken too seriously, "The Second Time Around" is a pleasant and amusingly unassuming little film with some most agreeable characterizations.
Miss Reynolds herself leads the pack, but she is more than ably supported by Steve Forrest (of all people), Andy Griffith, Ken Scott (another surprise, he's absolutely top-notch as a crooked sheriff) and Tom Greenway (a Lon Chaney Jr. imitator in the small part of the deputy sheriff).
These character sketches are well handled by director Vincent Sherman (here making his final Hollywood movie). True, Sherman has significantly less success with Tracy Stratford and Jimmy Garrett, two typically American movie brats who are fortunately left behind in New York.
OTHER VIEWS: Miss Reynolds is a natural at this sort of thing. She really flings herself into this part. It's her show... Except for one brief, snappy Flamenco, all Juliet Prowse has to do is kind of hover in the background. She hovers well. — Variety.
SYNOPSIS: Charleyville is a typical pioneer town at the turn of the century, peppered with outlaws, saloon-thugs and gamblers who make life tough for the ranch folk. Broke and friendless, Debbie takes a job as ranch-hand with Aggie Gates (Thelma Ritter), aiming to collect enough money to send for the two youngsters she has left in New York with her mother-in-law. Saloon-keeper Dan Jones (Steve Forrest) and his dance-hall sweetheart (Juliet Prowse) are an immediate threat to Debbie's security, as is Sheriff Yoss (Ken Scott) whose loose government Debbie attacks at once and sets out to fight to a showdown. Befriending Debbie in a series of adventures through which she learns to slug her way with the best of them, is neighboring rancher Pat Collins (Andy Griffith).
NOTES: The novel by Richard Emery Roberts entitled "Star in the West" was first published in 1951. To coincide with the movie release, Pocketbooks launched an initial printing of 500,000 copies. As the movie chalked up no great returns at the box-office, I wonder how many copies were pulped?
COMMENT: Far-fetched and not to be taken too seriously, "The Second Time Around" is a pleasant and amusingly unassuming little film with some most agreeable characterizations.
Miss Reynolds herself leads the pack, but she is more than ably supported by Steve Forrest (of all people), Andy Griffith, Ken Scott (another surprise, he's absolutely top-notch as a crooked sheriff) and Tom Greenway (a Lon Chaney Jr. imitator in the small part of the deputy sheriff).
These character sketches are well handled by director Vincent Sherman (here making his final Hollywood movie). True, Sherman has significantly less success with Tracy Stratford and Jimmy Garrett, two typically American movie brats who are fortunately left behind in New York.
OTHER VIEWS: Miss Reynolds is a natural at this sort of thing. She really flings herself into this part. It's her show... Except for one brief, snappy Flamenco, all Juliet Prowse has to do is kind of hover in the background. She hovers well. — Variety.
Tenacious widow stands up to bullies in the Wild West.
cgvsluis8 February 2022
Debbie Reynolds plays a very fiesty widow with two small children. She takes a big risk and goes alone to the territory of Arizona right before it becomes a state where her deceased husband's best friend has offered her a job in his store.
When she arrives, the friend is being sent back to New York in a coffin. He was killed in a holdup the night before. Desperate for a job she convinces a ranch owner Addie to hire her as a ranch hand which proves to be exceptionally hard work for a petite woman like Debbie.
The town is completely corrupt with the sheriff, the saloon owner and thieves all in cahoots with each other...this is how Debbie ends up becoming the sherif!
Kind of a fun western-ish film. Good conquering evil.
Debbie Reynolds remains America's sweetheart and this is a must see. She is a tenacious wonder standing up for what is right.
When she arrives, the friend is being sent back to New York in a coffin. He was killed in a holdup the night before. Desperate for a job she convinces a ranch owner Addie to hire her as a ranch hand which proves to be exceptionally hard work for a petite woman like Debbie.
The town is completely corrupt with the sheriff, the saloon owner and thieves all in cahoots with each other...this is how Debbie ends up becoming the sherif!
Kind of a fun western-ish film. Good conquering evil.
Debbie Reynolds remains America's sweetheart and this is a must see. She is a tenacious wonder standing up for what is right.
One time around is enough
aramis-112-8048806 May 2023
Say what you like about Debbie Reynolds, she gave each of her roles everything she had. Here she throws herself into the part of a widowed mother of two who who moves to Arizona and becomes an unlikely Sheriff.
Also unlikely is Steve Forrest as a leading man for a major, wide-screen motion picture in color in 1961. Forrest actually does a creditable job, but Reynolds buries him. He never stood a chance.
Also among those present is Andy Griffith, peddling the same laid back southerner soft soap he tried on in Mayberry and Ritz cracker commercials. Reynolds is caught between tricky saloon owner Forrest and goody-goody Griffith.
It has a few innovation, such as a brawl, not in a saloon but an ice-cream parlor.
From her first big break in "Singin' in the Rain" until her ultimate decline, Reynolds was wonderful. But this story was too slight (as were her co-stars) to merit the big-screen treatment. It would have served Reynolds better as a huge musical opposite a singing star. Or a Robert Preston type.
Still, it's not a total disaster. It's just not "special" enough (nor funny enough, nor anything enough) to justify the treatment it got. It's basically for people who can't get enough of Reynolds in the upper end of her cute-as-a-button phase.
Also unlikely is Steve Forrest as a leading man for a major, wide-screen motion picture in color in 1961. Forrest actually does a creditable job, but Reynolds buries him. He never stood a chance.
Also among those present is Andy Griffith, peddling the same laid back southerner soft soap he tried on in Mayberry and Ritz cracker commercials. Reynolds is caught between tricky saloon owner Forrest and goody-goody Griffith.
It has a few innovation, such as a brawl, not in a saloon but an ice-cream parlor.
From her first big break in "Singin' in the Rain" until her ultimate decline, Reynolds was wonderful. But this story was too slight (as were her co-stars) to merit the big-screen treatment. It would have served Reynolds better as a huge musical opposite a singing star. Or a Robert Preston type.
Still, it's not a total disaster. It's just not "special" enough (nor funny enough, nor anything enough) to justify the treatment it got. It's basically for people who can't get enough of Reynolds in the upper end of her cute-as-a-button phase.
A Fun but Flawed Movie
ldeangelis-7570812 October 2023
I'm willing to bet the movie "The Ballad of Josie" was inspired by this one, and it's yet another case of the first being the best.
This was a fun film, with Debbie Reynolds as a widow from the east who heads west (in the last days of that distinction, as it's 1912) to try and make a better life for herself and her two young children. She has quite a time (and a lot of hilarious moments) working as a ranch hand for Thelma Ritter, while attracting the attention of two very different men: saloon/gambling house owner Steve Forrest, a charming "bad boy" and ranch owner Andy Griffith, a "nice guy", though a bit too attached to his domineering mother (Blossom Rock, better known as "Mama," on "The Addams Family" and the sister of Jeanette MacDonald).
Debbie's also the only one in town brave enough to stand up to the corrupt sheriff (Ken Scott), a bit hard to believe with feisty Thelma around, and soon there's a petition circulated to oust him from his job. And guess who gets it???
That's where the flaws come in. While it's NOT TRUE that women couldn't sign petitions without the vote, that doesn't mean they'd want a woman as sheriff, unless she's lived out west all her life and had the right skills to qualify her, which Debbie did NOT. She proves this all too, soon, by using her badge to get the saloon shut down and Steve thrown in jail, out of spite for the way he tricked her into panning for gold so he could attempt to seduce her. Then, she gets kidnapped by the ousted sheriff, and that's where the silly brawls come in, as no comedy western can do without them, of course not!
That's what bugged me, there was more than one brawl incident, where windows are smashed, chairs are broken, tables tossed over, lots of property damage done, etc. Maybe some people find that entertaining, but most of the time it's just ANNOYING to me.
Like I said, fun but flawed.
This was a fun film, with Debbie Reynolds as a widow from the east who heads west (in the last days of that distinction, as it's 1912) to try and make a better life for herself and her two young children. She has quite a time (and a lot of hilarious moments) working as a ranch hand for Thelma Ritter, while attracting the attention of two very different men: saloon/gambling house owner Steve Forrest, a charming "bad boy" and ranch owner Andy Griffith, a "nice guy", though a bit too attached to his domineering mother (Blossom Rock, better known as "Mama," on "The Addams Family" and the sister of Jeanette MacDonald).
Debbie's also the only one in town brave enough to stand up to the corrupt sheriff (Ken Scott), a bit hard to believe with feisty Thelma around, and soon there's a petition circulated to oust him from his job. And guess who gets it???
That's where the flaws come in. While it's NOT TRUE that women couldn't sign petitions without the vote, that doesn't mean they'd want a woman as sheriff, unless she's lived out west all her life and had the right skills to qualify her, which Debbie did NOT. She proves this all too, soon, by using her badge to get the saloon shut down and Steve thrown in jail, out of spite for the way he tricked her into panning for gold so he could attempt to seduce her. Then, she gets kidnapped by the ousted sheriff, and that's where the silly brawls come in, as no comedy western can do without them, of course not!
That's what bugged me, there was more than one brawl incident, where windows are smashed, chairs are broken, tables tossed over, lots of property damage done, etc. Maybe some people find that entertaining, but most of the time it's just ANNOYING to me.
Like I said, fun but flawed.
light Debbie Reynolds rom-com western
SnoopyStyle30 March 2024
It's 1911 New York City. Lucretia 'Lu' Rogers (Debbie Reynolds) is a widower with two young children. She decides to head out to Arizona for a new start. Her expected job falls through. Aggie Gates (Thelma Ritter) hires her as a ranch hand and tries to set her up with neighbor Pat Collins (Andy Griffith). Dan Jones (Steve Forrest) is the scheming saloon owner.
This is a fun little lightweight western. Debbie Reynolds gets to do some physical pratfall humor. There is a perfectly fine love triangle with two sharply drawn men. Debbie makes it all working. Thelma Ritter is great. It is light fun.
This is a fun little lightweight western. Debbie Reynolds gets to do some physical pratfall humor. There is a perfectly fine love triangle with two sharply drawn men. Debbie makes it all working. Thelma Ritter is great. It is light fun.
Silly fun...
planktonrules20 September 2016
This certainly is a very unusual film--and its being so different is a big plus. The film begins in the East and the widow Lu Rogers (Debbie Reynolds) and her children are living with her mother-in-law. However, Lu wants to go out and earn her own money and find a place of her own for her family, so she takes up on an offer by an old family friend to move to Arizona (about 1912) and work for him. However, when Lu arrives she learns that the man is dead...and she is without any prospects. But a woman (Thelma Ritter) feels sorry for her and agrees to take this city girl on as a hired hand.
Along the way, two men (Andy Griffith and the rakish Steve Forrest) vie for her hand. She also has a bit of a small feud with the local sheriff...that ends up erupting into an all-out war! Can this nice little lady manage to survive all this?!
The film is, more than anything else, fun...along with being unusual. It's hard not to like the film and Reynolds is at her spunky best. Well worth seeing and as much different from a typical western as you can find! Cute and clever.
Along the way, two men (Andy Griffith and the rakish Steve Forrest) vie for her hand. She also has a bit of a small feud with the local sheriff...that ends up erupting into an all-out war! Can this nice little lady manage to survive all this?!
The film is, more than anything else, fun...along with being unusual. It's hard not to like the film and Reynolds is at her spunky best. Well worth seeing and as much different from a typical western as you can find! Cute and clever.
The Sheriff Of Charleyville
bkoganbing16 November 2011
Although not a note of the song is sung, The Second Time Around gets its title from the song Bing Crosby introduced in High Time the year before this film came out. However Frank Sinatra scored the big hit on that song and the melody is heard throughout the film.
It's a cute film, but sadly not cute enough for me. Debbie Reynolds a recent widow comes out to Charleyville, Arizona to get a job in a mercantile when she finds the owner being shipped out in a pine box. He was a friend to her late husband and now she's stranded in Charleyville in 1911 on the eve of Arizona becoming a state.
Thelma Ritter gives her a job on her small ranch and pretty soon gambler Steve Forrest and neighboring rancher Andy Griffith are panting after Debbie. But Debbie who is disgusted by the lack of law and order in the town gets the sheriff recalled and gets his job.
A great blow for women's rights, but so help me I couldn't wrap my mind around the concept that Debbie who was such a tenderfoot when she came out west is now handling a six gun like a gunfighter. It was really a bit much.
Debbie and Thelma Ritter worked well together and they would do so again in the much better How The West Was Won. Juliet Prowse has a nice part as Steve Forrest's saloon dancer girlfriend who is remarkably tolerant of her new rival.
I don't think The Second Time Around is first rate for Debbie Reynolds and the rest of the cast.
It's a cute film, but sadly not cute enough for me. Debbie Reynolds a recent widow comes out to Charleyville, Arizona to get a job in a mercantile when she finds the owner being shipped out in a pine box. He was a friend to her late husband and now she's stranded in Charleyville in 1911 on the eve of Arizona becoming a state.
Thelma Ritter gives her a job on her small ranch and pretty soon gambler Steve Forrest and neighboring rancher Andy Griffith are panting after Debbie. But Debbie who is disgusted by the lack of law and order in the town gets the sheriff recalled and gets his job.
A great blow for women's rights, but so help me I couldn't wrap my mind around the concept that Debbie who was such a tenderfoot when she came out west is now handling a six gun like a gunfighter. It was really a bit much.
Debbie and Thelma Ritter worked well together and they would do so again in the much better How The West Was Won. Juliet Prowse has a nice part as Steve Forrest's saloon dancer girlfriend who is remarkably tolerant of her new rival.
I don't think The Second Time Around is first rate for Debbie Reynolds and the rest of the cast.
Second is Good ***
edwagreen3 September 2014
Warning: Spoilers
A real western romp with Debbie Reynolds showing almost the same stamina she would show 3 years later in the marvelous "Unsinkable Molly Brown."
Debbie had a wonderful support cast to work with, as a widow from N.Y. who ventures to pre-statehood Arizona.
We know by the hand who actually murdered Sam Wechsler in his store. It would have been nice if something had been said about it.
As always, Thelma Ritter shows her mettle as the strong-willed Aggie who takes the Reynolds character in to do farm work.
Naturally, we have the usual characters in such a film- a gambler, farmer with a mother who will not let him lead the nest, and an array of other assorted character.
While it may come as a surprise regarding who Reynolds winds up with, there is good clean fun here.
Debbie had a wonderful support cast to work with, as a widow from N.Y. who ventures to pre-statehood Arizona.
We know by the hand who actually murdered Sam Wechsler in his store. It would have been nice if something had been said about it.
As always, Thelma Ritter shows her mettle as the strong-willed Aggie who takes the Reynolds character in to do farm work.
Naturally, we have the usual characters in such a film- a gambler, farmer with a mother who will not let him lead the nest, and an array of other assorted character.
While it may come as a surprise regarding who Reynolds winds up with, there is good clean fun here.
A little backwards
appnzllr-121 February 2022
NYC lady becomes Arizona ranchhand and sheriff. Fun!
weezeralfalfa18 November 2018
Warning: Spoilers
In this 1961 film, Debbie Reynolds plays a young widow(Lucretia Rogers) with 2 half grown children living with her mother in law in NYC. However, she wants to show that she can support her family on her own. An alternative is to find a suitable replacement husband. Given her beauty, this should not be difficult in NYC. However, apparently, she wants a complete change in scenery, and accepts an offer by an old friend to come work for him in the small town of Charleyville , AZ. The only problem is that when she gets there, he's deceased. There aren't many jobs for a greenhorn self supporting woman from the East. Very fortunately, she makes the acquaintance of Aggie Gates(Thelma Ritter), who runs a small nearby ranch. She offers to give Debbie a try as a ranch hand. Reluctantly, Debbie agrees for a trial period. Of course, she encounters unexpected problems, and finds the work day long and arduous. She falls off the roof repairing some shingles, and falls into a muddy quagmire dealing with a calf. However, at the end of the month, Aggie let her continue.........Almost immediately, Debbie locks horns with the reigning chauvinistic sheriff(Ken Scott, as Sheriff Burns). When she suggested that he was a public servant, and hence accountable by the public, he though that was hilarious, especially coming from a woman. Many citizens didn't trust Burns, and were game to replace him with, Debbie, as outlandish as that sounds. I'm not aware of any woman who was a sheriff in the old west. Probably, legally they were excluded, except in those states and territories where they had been granted civil rights, such as voting. Soon after Debbie arrived, the territory of Arizona became the 48th state, and granted women the right to vote. Hence, probably, legally, Debbie could become sheriff. In any case, the citizens of the county voted to recall Burns, and stage a new election, which Debbie handily won. Incidentally, today, there are quite a few women across the US serving as sheriff........ Her first act was to charge saloon owner Dan Jones(Steve Forrest) with operating an illegal gambling establishment. She immediately put him in jail. Steve claimed she did this out of spite for his caper that made a fool of her. He planted several sizable gold nuggets in a stream, and told her there were rumors of gold being found in that river. It turned out that his idea was to lure her out in the wilderness, and get her in the mood to make love. But, rancher Pat Collins, also in competition to land Debbie, smelled a rat and came riding out to where they were, wanting to fight Dan, whom he correctly accused of planting the gold nuggets. Debbie was livid. and didn't want to speak to Dan until she charged him with a crime. But, Dan would save the damsel when she was abducted by ex-sheriff Burns and his outlaw gang. He was in jail when this happened, but was let out by the deputy, to spearhead a rescue plan, involving the other townies , some of whose stores had been robbed by the gang. After the recue, she would come to forgive Dan, and even kiss and hug him at the end: quite a dramatic turnaround! He told her he felt awkward kissing the sheriff, so she threw away her sheriff badge, with the implication that she hoped he would support her. Not mentioned, is the fact that Dan was still on the books for his illegal gambling charge, and the status of his saloon was in limbo.........Incidentally, Pat Collins , Dan's rival, lived with his mother on a ranch, and was Aggie's choice for a husband for Debbie, since she didn't like Dan's business. However, he seemed too tied to his mother's apron strings.........Apparently, this film did poorly at the box office. There are currently only 8 reviewers at this site for it, compared to more than a hundred for Debbie's favorite: "The Unsinkable Molly Brown", released a few years later. But, I don't see why the present flick is not rated higher. It's fun!.......I saw the film at Encore Westerns. It's also out on a DVD.
You've Got To Be Kidding!
specterman3 July 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Debbie Reynolds elected to town Sheriff?! That does not compute! There's no way she could have ever handled the job! In fact it just made me root for the outlaws and even cheer as robbed the town captured the new Sheriff and ride off with her. Any Western town that would elect Debbie as Sheriff deserves to be taken over by outlaws!
Girl Power
Eleanor202024 January 2020
The Second Time Around 1961
Directed by: Vincent Sherman
and star's: Debbie Reynolds as Lucretia or Lu Rogers. Steve Forest as Dan Jones and Andy Griffith as Pat Collins.
you can't not love this movie, Lu Rogers travels to Charleyville Arizona looking for work, her husband was dead and she face's the unknown with the kind of gumption that overpowers her small flame, and it didn't take long for the men to see it to, the towns people are amazed at her ability not to be afraid and to stand up for herself and those around her and after a few run in's with outlaws she's made Sheriff. I think this movie was well made and would watch it again
you can't not love this movie, Lu Rogers travels to Charleyville Arizona looking for work, her husband was dead and she face's the unknown with the kind of gumption that overpowers her small flame, and it didn't take long for the men to see it to, the towns people are amazed at her ability not to be afraid and to stand up for herself and those around her and after a few run in's with outlaws she's made Sheriff. I think this movie was well made and would watch it again
the second time around
mossgrymk11 April 2024
So, what have we learned from the March, 2024, Debbie Reynolds star of the month turn on TCM? Certainly that Ms. Reynolds was versatile and talented, adept at comedy, drama, dance and musicals. However, aside from "Singin In The Rain", she never came close to a great film and darn few good ones, while seeming to be cheerfully available for every mediocre to crappy movie that came down Cahuenga Blvd. Consequently, she never scaled the critical (and Oscar) heights of contemporaries with the same skill set such as, say, Shirley MacLaine who, ironically, played her in "Postcards From The Edge".
As for this film, it's a typical Debbie Reynolds pic; cute, perky, with lots of broad comedy and as empty as Chernobyl, post accident. Solid C.
As for this film, it's a typical Debbie Reynolds pic; cute, perky, with lots of broad comedy and as empty as Chernobyl, post accident. Solid C.
Delightful Western romp!
brenda_senanayake19 February 2007
I remember seeing this movie at the theater and thoroughly enjoying it. I would very much like to see it again and cannot understand why it is not available. I loved Debbie Reynolds, of course, but Thelma Ritter as always is truly splendid as are all other cast members. Steve Forrest is a handsome romantic lead with Andy Griffin and Juliet Prowse creating a colorful background. The whole concept of a very proper young Boston widow with two adorable children trying to make a new life in the West working as of all things a ranch hand makes for most enjoyable entertainment. Why is this movie not available for purchase on DVD?
Quite silly
HotToastyRag14 November 2023
I had a very funny first impression of Andy Griffith: specifically, I didn't find him funny. I first watched his dramatic performance in A Face in the Crowd, and still to this day have never seen any episodes of The Andy Griffith Show. The rest of the American public might think of him as a country bumpkin, but I never have. So, when I saw him dummying down his acting ability in The Second Time Around and being such a hick he was practically picking straw out of his teeth, I was shocked. My mom chuckled and informed me he was just acting the way he usually did.
In The Second Time Around, Debbie Reynolds is a widow with young kids. She moves to the country and gets mercilessly made fun of for her city slicker ways. Tough broad Thelma Ritter takes her in, and tries to give her advice, but Debbie has her own gumption enough to make her own mistakes. Meanwhile, sweet country bumpkin Andy Griffith and slick gambler Steve Forrest both vie for her affections. Since I'm not a Debbie Reynolds fan, I didn't really like this movie. The love triangle is obvious, the plot twists are silly, and it's far from realistic. But I did find it cute to see the former Molly Brown (Thelma) acting alongside the future Molly Brown (Debbie).
In The Second Time Around, Debbie Reynolds is a widow with young kids. She moves to the country and gets mercilessly made fun of for her city slicker ways. Tough broad Thelma Ritter takes her in, and tries to give her advice, but Debbie has her own gumption enough to make her own mistakes. Meanwhile, sweet country bumpkin Andy Griffith and slick gambler Steve Forrest both vie for her affections. Since I'm not a Debbie Reynolds fan, I didn't really like this movie. The love triangle is obvious, the plot twists are silly, and it's far from realistic. But I did find it cute to see the former Molly Brown (Thelma) acting alongside the future Molly Brown (Debbie).
Fun flick
overseer-318 July 1999
Debbie Reynolds is her usual feisty self, and gorgeous Steve Forrest (Dana Andrew's brother) is the fellow who wins her heart, in this fun film about a "widder lady" bucking convention in 1911 NYC to go out West and make a new life for herself and her two children. Andy Griffith plays a potential love interest too even though it's plain whom Debbie's character is attracted to most of all, Steve's character. Thelma Ritter, as usual, playing Debbie's employer, is a pip. Delightful film and great to watch more than once.
Wonderful comedy and entertainment with Debbie Reynolds
SimonJack23 June 2020
"The Second Time Around" is a very good film that the whole family should enjoy. And, because if was a movie made in 1961 that was set back in the last days of the settling of the West, it isn't dated. This is another example of a title that has almost nothing to do with the plot, and even the billing is off. Rather than an action, adventure, comedy, this film is clearly a comedy Western and family film. The latter includes a serious aspect to it. There's plenty of action in some of the comedy, but there's no resemblance of this film with pioneering, high seas, discovery, or swashbuckling films that make up the genre of adventure.
The first two-thirds have some of the funniest antics of a female star in film. Reynolds was known for this in her earliest films as Tammy and a couple other roles. She was the young girl coming of age as a young woman, and with it, she stumbled, fumbled, tripped and fell in any number of hilarious scenarios. This is the stuff that Lucille Ball took to television with her sitcom shows.
The cast are all fine in this film, but the standout performances clearly are by Reynolds as Lucretia Rogers, and Thelma Ritter as Aggie Gates. As with some other roles and with other stars (i.e, Alma with Doris Day in "Pillow Talk") Ritter is the key to some of the humor. An example throughout is the number of antics that Reynold's Lucretia has that are funny in themselves, but when the camera closes in on Aggie's face that is expressionless or shows disbelief in Lu's antics, the laughter moves to a howl. The audience is transposed from being observers of the funny scenes, to seeing them through Aggie's eyes. What great comedy that provides and what very good writing and clever scripting and acting this film has to carry that across.
Andy Griffith, Steve Forrest, Juliet Prowse and Ken Scott have good roles that add to the fun and excitement. The film is based on a 1911 novel by Richard Avery Roberts. The setting moves from New York City in 1911 to Charleyville, Arizona in 1912 - which is in the process of becoming the 48th state of the U.S.
One of the funniest scenes is Lu wresting with a sack of grain that Aggie has told her to load onto the wagon. The movie is loaded with funny dialog as well. Most people, even in modern audiences, should enjoy this film. Here are some favorite lines.
Mrs. Rogers, "You're going off to a place that's uncivilized. A territory... Arizona isn't even a state yet."
Tobey Rogers, in his underwear as Lu gives him a hug, "Mother, don't grab me when I'm naked."
Dan Jones, "You wouldn't wanna hit a woman now, would you sheriff?" Sheriff Burns, "In self-defense, why not?"
Aggie Gates, "Well, I don't reckon you'll be getting' drunk Saturday nights, 'n settin' fire to the barn. I'll try ya for a month."
Lucretia Rogers, "I've been on the train four days, and it was a little dusty coming in from town. Could I have a bath?" Aggie Gates, "On Thursday?"
Aggie, "Um, did you ever think of looking for a husband?? Lucretia, "A husband?" Aggie, "You know, one of them tall critters, supposed to take care of us women."
Pat Collins "Well Aggie, all I can say is, you sure do have fine taste in ranch hands." Aggie, "Thank you, Pat."
Aggie, "Between statehood and motherhood you don't have much chance for yourself, do ya?"
Pat Collins, "I was an only child." Lucretia, "Oh?" Pat, "I always had a dog, though." Lucretia, "A dog?" Pat, "Yeah. Got a fine dog. Real killer. If you or any other strangers come within a hundred yards of my place and I wasn't there, he'd tear ya to pieces... I think a lot of him."
Lucretia, "Do you have a petition to recall the sheriff?" Petition worker, "The sheriff? Lucretia, "Mm, hmm." Petition worker, "Why no, mam. We have a recall for the tax assessor and others, but not for the sheriff." Lucretia, "Will you draw one up, please?"
Dan Jones, "I think I oughta warn you, Mrs. Rogers. The, uh, sheriff may not like this." Lucretia, "Splendid."
Lucretia, "I've heard a little more about your reputation, and I'm quite sure owing me an umbrella isn't going to hurt it one bit. " Dan Jones, "Mrs. Rogers, I'm trying to improve."
Lucretia, "Could I go prospecting with you?" Dan Jones, "Well, since you went to the trouble to dress for the occasion, how could I say no."
Mrs. Vera Collins, "Well, I don't see what you're getting' so heated up about." Pat Collins, " Ma, there's some things I just don't tell you."
Vera Collins, "I know you, Aggie. You come here to get my Pat riled up over that gal. You've been wantin' to throw her at him ever since she got here." Aggie Gates, "I'm surprised at you, Vera. Pat has his poor ailing ma to take care of. Besides, he's too young to get married. I'll bet that boy ain't a day over 35."
Lucretia, "You're so good to me." Aggie, "That ain't it. I just don't want a fallen woman on my hands."
Vera Collins, "You better make your speech before you get your hand busted again." Pat Collins, "Ma, that was uncalled for."
Lucretia, "I know what I'm doing, and I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't march in my parade."
Pat Collins, "You know somethin,' Aggie. I got a feelin' it ain't gonna be safe to spit on the sidewalk." Aggie, "You're right."
Dan Collins, "You've got enough courage to be sheriff, but not enough courage to be a woman."
The first two-thirds have some of the funniest antics of a female star in film. Reynolds was known for this in her earliest films as Tammy and a couple other roles. She was the young girl coming of age as a young woman, and with it, she stumbled, fumbled, tripped and fell in any number of hilarious scenarios. This is the stuff that Lucille Ball took to television with her sitcom shows.
The cast are all fine in this film, but the standout performances clearly are by Reynolds as Lucretia Rogers, and Thelma Ritter as Aggie Gates. As with some other roles and with other stars (i.e, Alma with Doris Day in "Pillow Talk") Ritter is the key to some of the humor. An example throughout is the number of antics that Reynold's Lucretia has that are funny in themselves, but when the camera closes in on Aggie's face that is expressionless or shows disbelief in Lu's antics, the laughter moves to a howl. The audience is transposed from being observers of the funny scenes, to seeing them through Aggie's eyes. What great comedy that provides and what very good writing and clever scripting and acting this film has to carry that across.
Andy Griffith, Steve Forrest, Juliet Prowse and Ken Scott have good roles that add to the fun and excitement. The film is based on a 1911 novel by Richard Avery Roberts. The setting moves from New York City in 1911 to Charleyville, Arizona in 1912 - which is in the process of becoming the 48th state of the U.S.
One of the funniest scenes is Lu wresting with a sack of grain that Aggie has told her to load onto the wagon. The movie is loaded with funny dialog as well. Most people, even in modern audiences, should enjoy this film. Here are some favorite lines.
Mrs. Rogers, "You're going off to a place that's uncivilized. A territory... Arizona isn't even a state yet."
Tobey Rogers, in his underwear as Lu gives him a hug, "Mother, don't grab me when I'm naked."
Dan Jones, "You wouldn't wanna hit a woman now, would you sheriff?" Sheriff Burns, "In self-defense, why not?"
Aggie Gates, "Well, I don't reckon you'll be getting' drunk Saturday nights, 'n settin' fire to the barn. I'll try ya for a month."
Lucretia Rogers, "I've been on the train four days, and it was a little dusty coming in from town. Could I have a bath?" Aggie Gates, "On Thursday?"
Aggie, "Um, did you ever think of looking for a husband?? Lucretia, "A husband?" Aggie, "You know, one of them tall critters, supposed to take care of us women."
Pat Collins "Well Aggie, all I can say is, you sure do have fine taste in ranch hands." Aggie, "Thank you, Pat."
Aggie, "Between statehood and motherhood you don't have much chance for yourself, do ya?"
Pat Collins, "I was an only child." Lucretia, "Oh?" Pat, "I always had a dog, though." Lucretia, "A dog?" Pat, "Yeah. Got a fine dog. Real killer. If you or any other strangers come within a hundred yards of my place and I wasn't there, he'd tear ya to pieces... I think a lot of him."
Lucretia, "Do you have a petition to recall the sheriff?" Petition worker, "The sheriff? Lucretia, "Mm, hmm." Petition worker, "Why no, mam. We have a recall for the tax assessor and others, but not for the sheriff." Lucretia, "Will you draw one up, please?"
Dan Jones, "I think I oughta warn you, Mrs. Rogers. The, uh, sheriff may not like this." Lucretia, "Splendid."
Lucretia, "I've heard a little more about your reputation, and I'm quite sure owing me an umbrella isn't going to hurt it one bit. " Dan Jones, "Mrs. Rogers, I'm trying to improve."
Lucretia, "Could I go prospecting with you?" Dan Jones, "Well, since you went to the trouble to dress for the occasion, how could I say no."
Mrs. Vera Collins, "Well, I don't see what you're getting' so heated up about." Pat Collins, " Ma, there's some things I just don't tell you."
Vera Collins, "I know you, Aggie. You come here to get my Pat riled up over that gal. You've been wantin' to throw her at him ever since she got here." Aggie Gates, "I'm surprised at you, Vera. Pat has his poor ailing ma to take care of. Besides, he's too young to get married. I'll bet that boy ain't a day over 35."
Lucretia, "You're so good to me." Aggie, "That ain't it. I just don't want a fallen woman on my hands."
Vera Collins, "You better make your speech before you get your hand busted again." Pat Collins, "Ma, that was uncalled for."
Lucretia, "I know what I'm doing, and I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't march in my parade."
Pat Collins, "You know somethin,' Aggie. I got a feelin' it ain't gonna be safe to spit on the sidewalk." Aggie, "You're right."
Dan Collins, "You've got enough courage to be sheriff, but not enough courage to be a woman."
Good fun.
plan9912 November 2023
Warning: Spoilers
I kept expecting to see Doris Day in the lead role and not Debbie as it was definitely a role for Doris, and Rock Hudson as the leading male character but Debbie and Steve did a good enough job of it.
A comedy film so belief has to be suspended regarding the election of Debbie as sheriff otherwise there would have been no film at all. Very nicely shot in glorious colour with a great cast of interesting characters.
Never in any danger of winning a host of Oscars but it was entertaining with enough humorous situations to keep an audience happy from start to finish. A nice gentle comedy film worth watching.
A comedy film so belief has to be suspended regarding the election of Debbie as sheriff otherwise there would have been no film at all. Very nicely shot in glorious colour with a great cast of interesting characters.
Never in any danger of winning a host of Oscars but it was entertaining with enough humorous situations to keep an audience happy from start to finish. A nice gentle comedy film worth watching.
Wonderfully unserious
historykeys16 November 2023
IIRC, women got the vote in AZ in 1912, so that'd mean they did their homework, but who cares. I love early 60's movies. Love Debbie Reynolds. It moved along at a good pace and all in good fun. Better than any flick produced in the past 10 years or more, in the good fun genre. Character actors include Andy Griffith being Andy. Thelma Ritter. Eleanor Audley (oft seen on old Lucy show, Bev Hillbillies, etc.), Marie Blake (Grandma on the Addams Fam). Best scene was when Lu (Debbie Reynolds) shot at a fellow in the street and he expired, watch it and see how. And fwiw I have mixed feelings about Andy G so it felt satisfying to see him punched into the crick, LOL.
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