terrible... so disappointed.

A lot of fun.

When a movie has you begging for it to end not even half way through it's pure crap. We've all seen this movie and this characters millions of times, nothing new in it. Don't waste your time.

Clever and entertaining enough to recommend even to members of the 1%

One wonders why James Garner's character here wasn't reprised from the prior film that came out two years earlier - "Support Your Local Sheriff". He's portraying basically the same person except that he's got a more mercenary streak in this flick, but still played in the same laid back manner with a note of sarcasm and self effacing humor. As with the earlier picture, some of the support players wind up here as well, most notably Harry Morgan and Jack Elam, along with a less than conspicuous assist from character actor Gene Evans.As for Jack Elam, the thought that came to mind while watching was how his character Jug May compared with the recurring role he had in the single season TV Western 'The Dakotas' from 1962. As the conflicted J.D. Smith, Elam's lazy eye gave him a bad guy look that contrasted with the good guy image he was meant to portray. Here he utilizes an approach that effectively conveys the image of a town bum looking for his next handout. Just as in the earlier 'Sheriff', Elam sides with Garner's character, but this time to pull off a scam whereby he impersonates a notorious gunslinger. I think I liked him better in the earlier film.As for Chuck Connors portraying the 'real' Swifty Morgan, I had to chuckle a bit, because the only other time I've ever seen him appear as nasty was in a fourth season episode of 'The Rifleman' titled 'The Deadly Image'. All throughout that series, Connor's Lucas McCain wound up killing someone in more than half of the show's episodes. In the particular story mentioned, Connors had a dual role as McCain and a vicious outlaw look-alike, and wouldn't you know it, McCain shoots the baddie and by extension, essentially winds up killing himself! The other thing that seemed kind of funny to me was when Colonel Ames (John Dehner) had a couple of his henchmen blow up the entrance to the mine his men were working to further thwart his local rival Barton Taylor (Harry Morgan). Though I know I've seen a similar scenario play out in other Westerns, this was the first time that it ever occurred to me that here was a case of a shaft getting the shaft.Well as it turns out, everything goes just right for Latigo Smith (Garner), but don't question the idea of the 'I Love Goldie' tattoo simply disappearing in the story's finale. Nor the business of his losing a forty six hundred dollar bet not once, but twice on a losing roulette wheel number. But the best had to be Jack Elam spoofing himself at the very end of the picture. I won't give it away, but that lazy eye still had a long way to go.

Not really a sequel to 'Support Your Local Sheriff!', but rather a completely different western comedy from the same director with a substantial number of cast members in common, the similar title and on-screen cast nevertheless renders comparisons unavoidable while watching 'Gunfighter'. The basic plot here is actually more innovative and clever if anything, clearly inspired by 'Yojimbo' as a conman drifter plays two warring factions in an Old West town against one another by claiming that his clueless recent acquaintance, played by Jack Elam, is a legendary gunfighter. Elam is excellent as the hapless lonely soul in question, equally as confused by the situation as he is delighted by the attention it affords him, and his performance is probably the strongest of either 'Support' film. Garner is far less appealing this time round though. He shows just as much ingenuity as his 'Sheriff' character at times, but he equally as often seems an utter fool with a perplexing gambling habit that makes for a very lousy running gag. The film has some pacing issues too with lots of lags between the truly funny moments. Everything culminates in a memorable conclusion though with an uncredited Chuck Connors great as the formidable legendary gunfighter, come to town to protect his good name. Garner also nicely gets a chance to prove himself just as much this time round; here he is a confidence trickster, trading on another man's name, who gradually proves himself worthy of the other man's status and so much more.

This movie, while funny in many places, pales in comparison to the earlier Support Your Local Sheriff. The first movie, with much of the same cast, is a solid 10 but I can only give this one a 7 at best. All of the actors who were in both movies did a better job in the first one and Joan Hackett was surprisingly better than Suzanne Pleshette.They just aired them back to back and the superiority of Sheriff was glaringly apparent. Sheriff flows along smoothly with great dialog but this one seems to stutter and try too hard. The premise of the first movie is also better and the opening scene sets the tone for the hilarity that follows. Again this one just doesn't do that as well. I always liked Garner and he was brilliant in both movies but maybe they should have quit while they were ahead and never made this one.

Not a sequel,but a companion piece to Support Your Local Sheriff,and a very funny spoof in it's own right.The cast underplayed it beautifully(not like todays hit you over the head variety).A special mention to Jack Elam,who had me in stitches.He was the master of the false bravado.Oldtime western fans will love it.