Today’s quick review: McLintock!. After a lifetime of enterprise, George Washington McLintock (John Wayne) runs a thriving business, owns a sizable portion of a town, and has earned the respect of his friends and neighbors. The only wrinkle is his estranged wife Katie (Maureen O’Hara), who has come home from the East to convince G.W. to let their daughter Becky (Stefanie Powers) move away with her.
McLintock! is a Western romantic comedy starring John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara. Two years after their last fight, G.W. and Katie butt heads again over whether their daughter should live in the rowdy, unpredictable West or the high society of the East. McLintock! is a comedy with high spirits, a dash of romance, and plenty of good-natured brawling. Its lively characters and optimism make it a fun watch, but its virtues will not appeal to everyone.
McLintock! builds on a rather unique foundation: G.W. and his relationship with the town. He is a man of many talents: a drinker, a brawler, an honest businessman, and a loyal ally. His wisdom keeps the wilder side of the town in check, while his good humor keeps any conflict from spiraling out of control. The only person who can match him is Katie, a proud and stubborn woman who is every bit as forceful as he is.
McLintock! spins these character dynamics into an enjoyable story. G.W. and Katie play out their argument over the course of several days, coming closer to the point where they will either have to patch things up or split for good. Their relationship is complemented by a more youthful romance between Becky and Devlin Warren (Patrick Wayne), G.W.’s latest hire. The result is an unabashedly cheerful comedy in the classic mold.
Still, McLintock! has a few points of friction. Chief among these is audience buy-in. Very little of the story works without the viewer liking G.W. and rooting for him at least most of the time. Anyone who finds him too fanciful a character or simply dislikes his personality will have a rough go of it. Likewise, McLintock! is a little too exaggerated in places. The story works when the audience is invested but shows holes when they are not.
How much you get out of McLintock! will depend on your taste in comedy. Fans of the exuberant style of the classics and tongue-in-cheek domestic strife will have plenty of fun. Viewers looking for something a little more grounded or story-focused will find that the movie comes on too strong. Check out McLintock! if you are interested in what it has to offer. Otherwise, approach with caution.
For a subtler take on a similar romantic conflict starring John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara, check out The Quiet Man. For a more action-oriented Western with the same stars, try Big Jake or Rio Grande.
[7.2 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057298/). I give it a 6.5 to 7.0 for spirit and charm.