The town of Headstone has a big problem: Killer Pete. Thanks to him, it has to keep erecting headstone for dead sheriffs. Thanks to him, businessmen like saloon owner Jim Pendergast are being driven into debt. Thank goodness there’s a wealthy businessman like Tom Hannegan around to loan them money when they need it.
Into this mess arrives new sheriff Tex Miller (Glenn Ford), determined to stop Killer Pete from terrorizing Headstone, and Belinda Pendergast, nicknamed Bill because her father wished she was a boy.
Belinda tries her best to be a lady, but if there’s a need for shooting – well, she’s a dead-eye with a six-shooter. She also manages to win over the affections of the new sheriff.
Her charms don’t work quite so well on saloon singer Lola (Ann Miller), who perceives her as a possible threat to her romance with Hannegan, or on the other townswomen, who look down on her for taking a room with her pet dog Waffles in the very saloon her uncle owns.
But when it comes to figuring out the identity of Killer Pete – let’s just say Belinda is the first to solve the mystery.
Review:
Fun with low-budget comedy Western with Penny Singleton and Ann Miller taking turns entertaining us with their song-and-dance numbers as well. In fact, the title comes from a song Ann sings early in the film.
Glenn Ford co-stars as the most competent sheriff Headstone has seen in a while, if Belinda would only get out of his way. She can’t help herself of course, but she does manage to win a long catfight with Ann Miller’s character, then spring one of the most unusual ambushes on the outlaws that you’ll find in a Western.
Singleton is better known as star of the “Blondie” movies, based on the comic strip. She starred in 28 such films; this is one of just two non-Blondie films she appeared in during that time. She’d later provide the voice for Jane Jetson in “The Jetsons” TV series.
Directed by:
Frank R. Strayer
Cast:
Penny Singleton … Belinda Pendergast
Glenn Ford … Tex Miller
Ann Miller … Lola
Charles Ruggles … Jim Pendergast
Allen Jenkins … Hank
Jed Prouty … Judge Harmon
Onslow Stevens … Tom Hannegan
Bob Willis … Bob
Edith Meiser … Mrs. Hinkle
Chief Many Treaties … Chief Big Thunder
Runtime: 70 min.
Memorable lines:
Glenn Ford to Belinda Pendergast’s pet dog, after trying unsuccessfully to start up a conversation with its owner: “Hey, do you turn up your nose, too?”
Whereupon the dog proves that it does.
Belinda, after shooting several Indians off their horses during an attack on the stagecoach: “Sorry, they ruined my hat and I—I lost my temper. I hope I didn’t hurt any of them seriously.”
Jim Pendergast, after Belinda “Bill” has foiled the capture of Killer Pete and chase off his star dancer Lola: “I don’t know how you could do any more damage, but I ain’t taking no chances. So you’re going to stay in these rooms until that stage leaves tomorrow.”
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