‘SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL SHERIFF’ IS ONE HILARIOUS SPOOF WESTERN
A western comedy from the 60s, Support Your Local Sheriff is a film that I was sure I hadn’t ever seen before until a rewatch made me realize I have.
Support Your Local Sheriff (1969) Film Review
While burying a man who has died, a small town in the west discovers they have hit gold. This sends the townspeople into a frenzied panic of fighting over gold mines and trying to mine their fortune. It also brings in strangers and turns their town into a free-for-all where there is no law.
Into this crazy place rides Jason McCullough (James Garner), a man passing through on his way to Australia. Looking for some quick money, he agrees to become the town sheriff (but only until his fancy for Australia strikes again) where he works to bring some order to the town. All of which he does against the resistance of the Danby thugs, who believe they own the town, and while being the subject of the clumsy attempts Prudy Perkins (Joan Hackett) makes to catch his eye.
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‘SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL SHERIFF’ IS ONE HILARIOUS SPOOF WESTERN. Review of the funny 1969 comedy film with James Garner. Share on X
This is one of those films, a sort that I do watch now and then, that I saw many times when browsing for something new to watch. Given the fact that I have seen James Garner in the show he’s famous for and finally also in Murphy’s Romance (a popular romance drama from the 80s), watching this seemed fun. So, I did. It turns out the film is both what I expected and also not.
It also turns out that I’m 99.9% sure I’ve seen this before, which I didn’t remember. The film is good fun though and the comedy is quite hilarious. It’s on the edge of being slapstick, but doesn’t quite get there which I appreciate. Garner plays the role as a kind of laid-back, doesn’t give a single care attitude, and it’s good. This is also a character that makes the viewer what that chill attitude; it’s admirable. The silly but cute romance is also fun too and has a touch of sass, which makes the ending sweet.
There are lots of laughs in the script and the story, which makes this memorable. While probably not one that would ever be “cool” or worth watching by the generation of today, Support Your Local Sheriff is something easy to watch. This also makes it entertaining in a wholesome way, which is something we don’t often see today.
Stream, at publication, Support Your Local Sheriff with Pluto TV and Tubi
Photos: Alamy
Content: there’s really nothing much to mention in this PG film. There is some gun use and some bad guys sustain wounds. There’s a “battle” nearer the end with guns. A woman flirts with a man and there is some mild innuendo.
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This was one of my dad’s top favorite movies. We watched it a LOT when I was growing up, and we probably quoted it more as a family than any other movie. Dad showed it to all his grandkids too, and my three totally loved it. (My niece and nephew don’t watch many old movies, and I’m not sure they’ve ever seen any other westerns, so they were not so into it.)
And man, it’s soooo funny. Like you say, on the edge of slapstick, but never falls into it. I also appreciate that.
I totally forgot that this is one I’ve seen YEARS ago. It’s such a fun (the humor and dialogue is sometimes ridiculous but all in a good way) movie though and I love Garner’s approach to the role. That easy-going swag is definitely a fun character trait. I’m glad your dad and three kids saw this one together and enjoyed. It’s nice that they too like one of his favorites. :)