“This is a little bit like murder. I hope you know that.” —Mayor Perkins
Today’s quick review: Support Your Local Sheriff!. The Western town of Calendar comes to life when gold is discovered nearby, drawing prospectors and ruffians from all over. To restore order, Mayor Perkins (Harry Morgan) hires Jason McCullough (James Garner), a responsible stranger, as the town sheriff. With the help of his deputy Jake (Jack Elam) and the Mayor’s daughter Prudy (Joan Hackett), Jason sets out to put a stop to the chaos.
Support Your Local Sheriff! is a Western comedy starring James Garner. The film puts its own spin on the classic premise of a drifter cleaning up a lawless mining town. Jason McCullough is the foundation of the film, an unflappable man with a quick hand and a creative approach to justice. Squaring off against him are Pa Danby (Walter Brennan) and his three sons, tough locals who are used to having their run of the town.
The appeal of Support Your Local Sheriff! is straightforward. Jason brings order to the town by never backing down, by being faster on the draw, and by using a little ingenuity. James Garner is perfect for the role, portraying Jason as a fair man who will brook no nonsense from criminals. Apart from its lead, Support Your Local Sheriff! has a well-picked supporting cast and a good plot progression as the conflict with the Danby family escalates.
Give Support Your Local Sheriff! a shot when you are looking for a lighter movie that still has a worthwhile story. James Garner, a solid supporting cast, and fun humor throughout make the movie an easy pick. Approach with caution if you’re hoping for a full-blown parody. For a more serious Western about a lawman bringing order to a town, try Tombstone. For a similar comedy starring James Garner, try Support Your Local Gunfighter.
[7.5 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0065051/). I give it a 7.0 for solid comedy.