The Shakiest Gun in the West (1968)

Director:

Alan Rafkin

Writers:

Edmund L. Hartmann (screenplay) and
Frank Tashlin (screenplay) ...

Genre:

Comedy | Western

Plot:

Jesse W. Haywood graduates from dental school in Philadelphia in 1870 and goes west "to fight oral ignorance."...

Plot Keywords:

Stagecoach | Covered Wagon | Native American | Horse | Cowgirl

Cast

Don Knotts	...	Dr. Jesse W. Heywood
Barbara Rhoades	...	Penelope 'Bad Penny' Cushings
Jackie Coogan	...	Matthew Basch
Don 'Red' Barry	...	Rev. Zachary Gant (as Donald Barry)
Ruth McDevitt	...	Olive
Frank McGrath	...	Mr. Remington
Terry Wilson	...	Welsh
Carl Ballantine	...	Abel Swanson
Pat Morita	...	Wong
Robert Yuro	...	Arnold the Kid
Herb Voland	...	Dr. Friedlander (as Herbert Voland)
Fay DeWitt	...	Violet
Dub Taylor	...	Pop McGovern
Hope Summers	...	Celia
Dick Wilson	...	Black Eagle (Indian chief)

Runtime:

101 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

USA:Unrated

Company:

Universal Pictures

Trivia:

Herb Voland's first film role.

Goofs:

Continuity: After Penny leaves, Heywood is sitting at the table in the bar with a blond lady. The lady drinks the liquor in her glass, draining it dry. But then there is a shot of the table and there is still liquid in her glass.

Quotes:

[drunk]
Jesse Heywood: [to the barkeep] Brush your dentist twice a day, visit your toothbrush twice a year.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: Operation Double 007 (#6.8)" (1993)

Soundtrack:

The Shakiest Gun in the West

very, very funny, vintage Don Knotts

I love this movie. It is hilarious. Don Knotts proves once again why he was so beloved by audiences, especially children. His winning, comedic character is so sweetly vulnerable. He is a great example to today's comedians, who rely on vulgarities and smart-Alec comments to "entertain" audiences. There are many wonderful supporting players on hand, such as Carl Ballantine, Pat Morita and Donald "Red" Barry. And of course the lovely Barbara Rhoades. Seeing this film as a little boy in the theatre, I thought there was no lovelier creature on the planet-- especially in that green velvet dress!

I hope this commentary is more helpful than the inane, pseudo-intellectual ramblings of the previous comment, which, if it was not made in jest, should have been-- there is no other excuse for it. At least we both agree-- this is a terrific film!