“Support Your Local Gunfighter!” (1971) starring James Garner, Suzanne Pleshette and Jack Elam / Z-View

Support Your Local Gunfighter! (1971)

Director:  Burt Kennedy

Screenplay: James Edward Grant, Burt Kennedy (uncredited)

Stars: James Garner, Suzanne Pleshette, Jack Elam, Harry Morgan, Joan Blondell, Marie Windsor, John Dehner, Henry Jones, Dub Taylor, Kathleen Freeman, Dick Curtis, Willis Bouchey, Willis Bouchey, Walter Burke, Gene Evans,  Grady Sutton, Virginia Capers and Ellen Corby. 

Tagline: The story of a man who took the law into his own finger!

The Plot…

Latigo Smith, a gambler, con artist, fast gun and ladies man is almost roped into marriage.  While his bride-to-be sleeps, the train they’re traveling on stops at the small mining town of Purgatory.  When the train leaves, Latigo isn’t on it.

Purgatory is in the middle of a war between two mine barons: Taylor Barton and Colonel Ames.  Each man is trying to get to the mother lode of gold.  They’ve both hired roughnecks and rowdies.  Needless to say the town is a wild place.

As the new man in town, Latigo is mistaken for the infamous gunslinger, “Swifty” Morgan.  This gives Latigo an idea.  Realizing it’s not a smart idea to play a killer, Latigo talks his new friend, the none-to-bright Jug May into playing the part.  Soon Latigo and “Swifty” are being treated like kings.

Then the real Swifty Morgan arrives.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I loved Support Your Local Sheriff.  I had high hopes for Support Your Local Gunfighter since the director, James Garner and most of the cast was returning.  Sadly it falls short of the first film.  Also the film is NOT a sequel.

Support Your Local Gunfighter! (1971) rates 3 of 5 stars