Varokaa sheriffiä

I first saw this film as a child and really enjoyed it. Now, over three decades later, I saw it again. I still enjoyed it, but can see that it's a film that would probably have a bit more appeal to kids.

This film is set in a boom town in the Old West. Because gold was recently discovered (in a tacky and funny way at the beginning of the film), there is a lot of violence. The last three sheriffs didn't last--so everyone expects the new sheriff, James Garner, to either be killed or run off like one of his predecessors.

Garner plays a part that is very much like his character from Maverick--a guy who uses his wits to win the day instead of brawn. Now this isn't to say that Garner can't shoot--in this movie he's an amazing shot. However, being a bit lazy and pragmatic, he usually finds a way to avoid the violence and STILL keep the town crime-free. Most of these ways are pretty funny (I particularly liked the red paint scene) and the film is a nice change of pace from the usual violent and brainless Western.

This movie was so successful that it triggered a sequel that was exceptionally similar--heck, the name was even similar. In SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL GUNFIGHTER, the plot is pretty similar and so is the action, so if you liked one movie you'll no doubt like the other. A good film that is more than just another formulaic Western.