The Cheyenne Social Club (1970)

Jimmy Stewart and Henry Fonda were best friends for almost fifty years, and so one wonders why the two didn't make more films together. The DVD offered up by Warner Brothers is a lovely double feature of the only two pictures in which these old friends worked together. Firecreek (1968) is an underrated, minor classic, which I will be likely reviewing soon in its own right. And while not as good, The Cheyenne Social Club is also entertaining.

Texas cowboy John O'Hanlon (Stewart) learns he is an heir to his late brother's estate, and so he and his pecan-cracking, motormouthed pal Harley Sullivan (Fonda) travel up to Wyoming... only to learn that the deceased has bequeathed a cathouse to him! At first, he is enjoying his new found fortune, being pampered by the lovelies, and is the toast of the town... until his morality wins over and decides to close the place. Naturally complications, and a much-needed gunfight ensue. While the script has complications (it actually needed to more explore the peculiar behaviour of the girls, especially after the news of the closure), it is always a joy to watch... especially in seeing those two old pros work together. Shirley Jones is actually fun as the madam, and look fast for cute Jackie Joseph (from Little Shop of Horrors) as one of the working girls. This film is also interesting for being a directorial effort by former song-and-dance man Gene Kelly (having also sat at the director's chair for Hello Dolly and Guide for the Married Man), and as such I kept on hoping for some choreography that would have added to the zany comedy. (However, Hank and Jimmy DO sing over the opening credits.)

This also features a scene with Jimmy Stewart, and a girl wearing nothing under a see-through gown. The actor later admit he was embarrassed to play this scene, but in its own way, the moment contemporizes this otherwise "old Hollywood" entertainment.