The Cheyenne Social Club

Cowboy James Stewart gets a letter that's followed him through many jobs for almost two years. It seems as though his prosperous brother from Cheyenne died and left him a going business, something called The Cheyenne Social Club. So Stewart quits his job in Texas and rides to Cheyenne to claim his inheritance and saddle pal Henry Fonda goes along for the ride.

The Cheyenne Social Club rises and falls on the chemistry between its two stars and this one rises like the lightest of angel food cake. The two movie icons and best friends from Princeton days are so perfectly cast it's a shame they didn't make a sequel and have some further adventures.

No doubt also these two helped director Gene Kelly over the rough patches in a movie genre he really wasn't familiar with. Kelly was wise enough to cast the film with a whole lot of players familiar with the western genre. And he was wise enough to give all these people their head and they don't let him down.

It turns out that The Cheyenne Social Club is a bordello under the temporary management of Shirley Jones. It's quite an institution in Cheyenne, but it doesn't quite seem right for Stewart, something a working cowboy can enjoy, but not live off. Of course his friend Fonda seems to have settled down quite nicely there.

Fonda's part could have been the great grandfather of the character he played in The Rounders. Apparently whatever suits Stewart just tickles Fonda plumb to death.

Best moment in the film is when Jimmy Stewart gets the best of bad guy Robert J. Wilke in a gunfight after he beats up Shirley Jones. Of course it's with the help of Fonda and a noisy pecan. Has to be seen to be appreciated.

This was James Stewart's last starring western and a great one to go out on as well.

(63%) A light hearted comedy western made toward the latter stages of both James Stewart, Henry Fonda's career, and actually westerns in general. The premise is strong and this does a decent job at telling it through good performances along better than average writing. Despite this being very much centred around prostitution it's as squeaky clean as any Disney movie, with very little in terms of sleaze. In fact even the brothel itself is spotless, I've seen dirtier real life hospitals. With its charm, nicely drawn characters, and good entertainment value I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this to all fans of the western genre or just those looking for something decent to pass the time.

After many years in the military, seeing few movies, I am still catching up on old flicks thanks to videos. Discovering Cheyenne SC is worth all my efforts. Cliches and all, it is a pleasure to watch the interaction of these two old "pros," Stewart and Fonda, and the superb supporting cast. I view this film often and laugh each time. I live close to the Eaves Ranch set, which I understand was built or expanded primarily for Cheyenne SC and where most of the movie was filmed. The set has changed some and the water tower was demolished a couple years ago. There is a piece of RR track and a couple livestock cars there, and the town buildings still exist, having been used for dozens of other movies since "Cheyenne SC" including "Silverado" and "Wyatt Earp." Unfortunately the owner/builder of the set Mr. J.W. Eaves just passed away on August 8 this year.(2001) A memorial service was held at his movie town.

Next to "El Dorado", this is my favorite western. It is fun from start to finish. Best friends in real life play best friends on the Texas panhandle. Jimmy Stewart (John) and Henry Ford (Harley) have been "riding together" for 10 years when John receives a letter from a lawyer in Cheyenne.

With John and Harley being drifters, it has taken the letter two years to catch up to them. John is told his older brother DJ has died and left him a thriving business in Wyoming; The Cheyenne Social Club. Always wanting to be a "Man of Property", John packs up and heads to Cheyenne with Harley in tow (even though neither man knows exactly why Harley feels the need to tag along everywhere John goes).

Both John and Harley are salt-of-the-earth people. Harley has a passion for pecans and John cannot wait to claim his inheritance and become a Republican. The wagon wheel comes off when John realizes the Cheyenne Social Club is actually an high end, upscale brothel. The ladies who live in the equisitly furnished house are the cream of the crop, expecting nothing but the best from themselves and their clientelle. When John pops into the picture, the ladies fancy him a hero although John has plans to turn the house into a legitimate business.

The casting and directing of this film is perfectly done. Shirley Jones is the Madam of the house and all the ladies cast give prostitutes a fine name. Gene Kelly (yes that Gene Kelly) directs this enjoyably light fare with a smooth touch.

Why this was not made into a series of movies, I'll never know. There could have been 2 sequels based on the strength of the cast's chemistry alone. If an attempt to remake this wonderful film is ever undertaken, it's success or failure will rely on the casting. Like "Fun with Dick and Jane" and "Bewitched", the wrong combination of actors can kill a great storyline.

This is a 9 out of 10 stars. It must be viewed the first time over a dinner of steak and beer with a room full of friends and the sweet smell of perfume in the air.

Fun Western comedy with two-towering actors and bemusing situations that happen when an upright cowboy after the death of his brother receives an unusual legacy : The Cheyenne social club and he along with another friend from Texas go to the location . Agreeable film about two nice cowpunchers plenty of humor , thrills and stunning performances . "John", a honest cowpuncher (James Stewart) to which accompanies his inseparable friend "Sullivan" (Henry Fonda), another cowboy from Texas who are longly friends from 10 years ago , at the prospect of inheritance they decide to go in search of the business of his deceased brother . At the long trek takes place some amusing exchange of dialogs among them . After that , they discover the truth as the Club results to be the town's bawdy brothel plenty of joyful girls ( Shirley Jones , Sue Ane Langdon , Elaine Devry as sexpots of bordello) with a great tradition in the region. As Stewart increasing involvement with luscious employees and Fonda helps to operate the bordello . Meanwhile there appears the assortment of bad guys (Robert J Wilke , Charles Tyner) who force shoot'em up on them.

Gentle entertainment about a bordello in the Old West with two masters of the performance , James Stewart and Henry Fonda , they are magnificent experts in the art of conjuring laughs of nothing , here are reunited in this atypical but amusing western with a lot of jokes , undistinguished moments and comical attitudes , in addition a multitude of absurd situations. Fun screenplay by James Lee Barret , Western's ordinary , though clichés run through-out , the enjoyable story is enhanced for amusing moments developed among main characters and especially on the relationship between James Stewart and Henry Fonda. The stellar cast is accompanied by some secondary actors very good as Shirley Jones , Robert J Wilke , Robert Middleton , John Dehner and Charles Tyner .

It also appreciates a good production design and colorful cinematography in Panavision by William H. Clothier , John Ford's usual .It's a movie highly desirable to spend 103 fun minutes professionally directed by Gene Kelly, an expert dancer and choreographer . Kelly dares to lead this western with acceptable results, and offers us here an entertaining comedy without major skills , but should to make it more dynamic . He directed some films as "Singing in the Rain" , ¨On the town¨ , co-directed by Stanley Donen , and ¨Invitation to the dance¨, ¨Hello Dolly¨ , ¨Guide of married men ¨ , ¨ Cheyenne Social Club turns out to be his only Western . It's a minor and thin effort and is beneath this great trio Fonda-Stewart-Kelly . An object of lesson by old masters who will appeal his fans .