Runtime: 91 minutes
Directed by: Norman Z. McLeod
Starring: Bob Hope, Jane Russell, Robert Armstrong, Iris Adrian, Iron Eyes Cody
From: Paramount
A.K.A. I start clearing out the DVR. While I still have two thirds free on it, it would be prudent of me to start watching the movies and TV shows I've had on there since last month so it can be cleared out. This was something recorded on TCM a few weeks ago; the comedic Western was of interest because I only knew of Bob Hope for being on TV hosting special events that served as entertainment for troops stationed overseas (this was decades after The Paleface was made)... and the comely charms of Jane Russell-no relation.
Ms. Russell was not just a sultry dame-she could also do comedy. Her role was that of real life frontierswoman Calamity Jane; she is sprung from jail by the federal government to go undercover and bust a gunrunning ring that's giving weapons to the Native Americans... who of course aren't portrayed in the most flattering light. Due to circumstances part of her cover is to marry a meek dentist known as Painless Peter Potter; hilariously, she usually refers to her beau as Painless. As expected, Hope as the DDS was not very good at his job and there are several nitrous oxide gags. Unbeknownst to her hubby, Jane assists him at times to create the facade that he's a great gunslinger. That causes issues when the villains are discovered.
Beforehand, I had no idea what to expect from this; thankfully, it was rather entertaining to me. There were plenty of jokes and one-liners that tickled me pink... there was also some drama, a bit of action and even a few songs, one of which actually won an Academy Award. The appeal of the two stars was for certain an asset but it managed to spoof the Western pretty well without being malicious or cruel. Iron Eyes Cody unknowingly getting high off of laughing gas and his subsequent inability to kill Ol' Painless at least was amazing to me even if it's to no one else. As this was an unexpected huge hit, a sequel was made a few years later; one day I'll get to Son of Paleface.
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