Go West, Young Lady

Western town under the thumb of a masked bandit sends for a new sheriff, who arrives by coach along with the saloon owner's niece from back East--a young lady of proper breeding who is also quite handy with a pistol. Fresh, rather laid-back comedy-western with music interludes has perhaps too much story exposition at the beginning, yet director Frank R. Strayer keeps a spirited pace and covers nicely with help from a colorful cast. The original songs by Saul Chaplin and Sammy Cahn are terrific, as are the musical performances by The Foursome and Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys. Ann Miller (playing a shady chanteuse named Lola) sings too, and taps up a storm; her catfight scene with Penny Singleton is a definite highlight. The character actors here (including Allen Jenkins, who also gets to warble and dance to a ditty) are so strong that young Glenn Ford almost gets lost in the crowd. Very modest, but very pleasant tale that ambles along agreeably without lapsing into silliness. **1/2 from ****