IMDb > The Cheyenne Social Club (1970)

The Cheyenne Social Club (1970) More at IMDbPro »

IMDb Holiday Movie Guide

Overview

User Rating:
6.7/10   1,488 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 2% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Gene Kelly
Writer:
James Lee Barrett (writer)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Cheyenne Social Club on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
12 June 1970 (USA) more
Genre:
Comedy | Western more
Tagline:
Where the West Was Really Made more
Plot:
An aging cowboy finds to his embarrassment that the successful business he has inherited from his brother is actually a house of prostitution. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
Awards:
1 nomination more
User Comments:
Easy Going Comedy Western! more (14 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

James Stewart ... John O'Hanlan

Henry Fonda ... Harley Sullivan
Shirley Jones ... Jenny
Sue Ane Langdon ... Opal Ann
Elaine Devry ... Pauline
Robert Middleton ... Barkeep (Great Plains Saloon)

Arch Johnson ... Marshal J. L. Barrett
Dabbs Greer ... Jedediah W. Willowby
Jackie Russell ... Carrie Virginia
Jackie Joseph ... Annie Jo
Sharon DeBord ... Sara Jean
Richard Collier ... Nathan Potter
Charles Tyner ... Charlie Bannister
Jean Willes ... Alice

Robert J. Wilke ... Corey Bannister
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parents
Runtime:
103 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Westrex Recording System)
Certification:
Finland:K-12 | Sweden:11 | USA:GP (original rating) | USA:PG | West Germany:12
Filming Locations:
Bonanza Creek Ranch - 15 Bonanza Creek Lane, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA more
Company:
National General Pictures more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The political subtext was a reference to the real life political differences of James Stewart and Henry Fonda. more
Goofs:
Revealing mistakes: When John and Harley are crossing the railroad tracks to see the Cheyenne Social Club for the first time, it is apparent from the camera angle that the last structure on the right is only a facade with no building behind it. more
Quotes:
Harley Sullivan: What kind of business you figure your brother left you?
John O'Hanlan: Well, the letter don't say - but that's just like a lawyer. They don't tell you no more than it takes to confuse you. But it's a... something called the Cheyenne Social Club.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Fonda on Fonda (1992) (TV) more
Soundtrack:
Rolling Stone more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.

User Comments

   (Comment on this title)
1 out of 1 people found the following comment useful.
Easy Going Comedy Western!, 28 November 2006
7/10
Author: (bsmith5552@rogers.com) from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

"The Cheyenne Social Club" is a delightful easy going comedy western produced and directed by screen legend Gene Kelly. Given the subject matter, Kelly manages to stick handle around the double entendres and present a comedy that is tastefully done and probably offended no one.

Two drifters, John O'Hanlan (James Stewart) and Harley Sullivan (Henry Fonda) are working cattle in Texas. One day O'Hanlan receives a letter informing him that he has inherited some property in Cheyenne, Wyoming. So he and Harley set out for Cheyenne.

When they arrive, they discover that the property that O'Hanlan has inherits is a bawdy house known as The Cheyenne Social Club. They meet the "Madame", Jennie (Shirley Jones) and the rest of the girls, Opal Ann (Sue Ann Langdon), Pauline (Elaine Divry), Carrie Virginia (Jackie Russell), Annie Jo (Jackie Joseph) and Sara Jean (Sharon DeBord).

O'Hanlan at first is hailed as a saviour by the townsfolk. He is given carte blanche at the local saloon by the Barkeep (Robert Middleton) and becomes the most popular man in town. Harley meanwhile has struck up a friendship with another saloon girl Alice (Jean Willes) after he stops her runaway horse.

O'Hanlan is uncomfortable with the kind of business he's in and announces that he is closing up the Social Club while he ponders his next move. Well, the townsfolk don't take too kindly to this and turn against him. In particular he runs afoul of bully Corey Bannister (Robert J. Wilke).

When Jennie is beat up by Bannister, O'Hanlan comes to her aid. With some unexpected help from Harley, he manages to gun down Bannister. The local Marshal (Arch Johnson) warns O'Hanlon that Bannister's relatives will surely come after him. Harley decides to return to Texas. On the trail he meets the Bannisters led by "Uncle" Charlie (Charles Tyner) who are heading to Cheyenne.

Only O'Hanlon is left to defend the Social Club and its girls. But then........................

Stewart and Fonda had been friends since the 1930s and play well off of each other. As a contrast, takes a look at "Firecreek" which they made two years earlier for two completely different performances. Both had done light comedy before so were able to play these roles convincingly. They even get to "sing" a song on the trail (good thing they didn't quit their day jobs).

The film is made even better with its fine supporting cast. In addition to those already mentioned there is Dabbs Greer as Lawyer Willowby, J.Pat O'Malley as a fast talking drummer and John Dehner, Jason Wingreen, Myron Healey and Hal Baylor in other roles.

Great entertainment.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (14 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Cheyenne Social Club (1970)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Boob Max_Johnson
This movie was funny...very funny KingFritzLang
Another great movie not yet on DVD stinky-58
DVD? jch274s-1
DVD - Me too! shanewilliams1955
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean Hannie Caulder I Shot Jesse James Mark of the Spur The Phantom Rider
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
IMDb Comedy section IMDb USA section Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.