Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Bob Hope | ... | 'Painless' Peter Potter | |
Jane Russell | ... | Calamity Jane | |
Robert Armstrong | ... | Terris | |
Iris Adrian | ... | Pepper | |
Bobby Watson | ... | Toby Preston (as Robert Watson) | |
Jackie Searl | ... | Jasper Martin (as Jack Searl) | |
Joseph Vitale | ... | Indian Scout | |
Charles Trowbridge | ... | Gov. Johnson | |
Clem Bevans | ... | Hank Billings | |
Jeff York | ... | Big Joe | |
Stanley Andrews | ... | Commissioner Emerson | |
Wade Crosby | ... | Jeb | |
Chief Yowlachie | ... | Chief Yellow Feather | |
Iron Eyes Cody | ... | Chief Iron Eyes | |
John Maxwell | ... | Village gossip |
Someone is selling guns to the Indians and in order to find the culprit Calamity Jane and a secret agent go undercover posing as man and wife. When the agent is killed Jane recruits a new husband -- none other than innocent dupe "Painless" Peter Potter, a totally inept dentist and confirmed coward who's main goal is to leave the barbaric west far behind. When their wagon train is attacked by the Indians it's Jane's sharpshooting that saves the day, but she gives the credit to Potter making him an instant hero to the townspeople and instant target to both the Indians and the gunrunners. Written by A.L.Beneteau <albl@inforamp.net>
I confess a weakness for the Bob Hope of the '40s - cute, funny, and guileless. His cowardly persona played well in many films.
"The Paleface" is the story of Calamity Jane (Jane Russell) being broken out of jail and offered a full pardon by the government if she can track down who is running guns to the Indians. Unfortunately, the man who is to accompany her on the wagon train to investigate is murdered. While running from people out to get her, she ends up in the office of Painless Peter Potter, a dentist who has to use a manual when he's working on a patient. He has his own wagon; Jane recruits him to marry her and join the wagon train.
Hope and Russell are great together. She's gorgeous in color wearing a variety of costumes. Hope is very funny, and he gets to introduce the song "Buttons 'n' Bows." One of the best scenes is Painless Peter trying to pull a tooth; another is an Indian who inadvertently inhales Peter's laughing gas.
Not exactly politically correct by today's standards, but it's still fun and wonderful to see these classic film stars, whose number is dwindling with alarming speed.