Jason McCullogh (James Garner) is on his way to Australia when he passes through the gold rush town of Calendar, Colorado. The town is chaotic and dangerous, inflation is devastating, and the Danby family is skimming 20% of the gold profits. McCullough has a notion of getting some of the gold while he is in the area but doesn't have enough money to even start a claim. Looking for a job, he sees that the town needs a sheriff. Two of the last 3 sheriffs were killed, while the 3rd fled town. Despite the dire history, he takes the job. There follows a series of comic antics as he tames the rowdy town, woos the mayor's daughter (Joan Hackett), and faces the Danby clan, led by Pa Danby (Walter Brennan).
The movie is a goofball comedy. Joan Hackett spends most of the film embarassing herself in front of Garner. Jack Elam plays a hilariously ill-used sidekick and deputy. Harry Morgan is the mayor. Bruce Dern gets to play the dim-witted Joe Danby who spends the majority of the film in a jail with no bars.
Great popcorn fun.
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