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Shakiest Gun in the West
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by Universal Studios
Sales Rank: 13606
Price: $14.98
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It's easy to overlook the societal importance of "Shakiest". Most academics consider it a vapid re-make of a "superior" Bob Hope film. However my consensus is that Hope's movie simply Overemphasized the comedic aspects of the story and downplayed the sociological importance and mythical underpinnings of it. I don't fault Hope since his comedic talents are such that only his fully grasping of the genre and paradigm in its epistomological sense would allow him the proper frame/reference to "dim" his comedic talents enough to let the nuances of the story's deeper meanings emerge. Not so with Don Knotts. His performance is neo-subtle in the sense that he draws attention to the pre-Scorsesian templates of story entwined with yet seperated from, meaning, by overexagerating Hope's performance to a Vonnegutian level. Example; his performance as Painless Jesse in the film's opening sequences underscore the relationship of Man the Creator with Man the Destroyer and Man the Dentist. In Barb Rhoades we see an equal but lesser voice representing tenets of Post-modern imperialism as well as Proto-Schwarzeneggerian grandiosity. Yet, it is Knotts, initially passive who redeems himself in the end, triumphing over Rhoades and all she symbolizes as well as echoing the pan-universal theme of the hero transformed by "plumbing" his own depths. This is shown particularily in the mine scene, where we read "mine" as "Subconscious Id". Simply put, not sense "The Incredible Mr. Limpett" has Knotts blended Transformational Mythology with Wellesian Cinematography and Jerrylewisian slapstick. BRAVO! <br />EDIT; This review is just for fun,guys. No need to take it seriously.
Viewer Reviews
Since I am not a fan of the political parody that was `Blazing Saddles' I must admit, I was a little skeptical about another western comedy, but after my wife twisted my arm I sat down to witness, what I expected to be a travesty, `The Shakiest Gun in the West'.
What I got was far from the mess I expected.
`The Shakiest Gun in the West' is actually quite hilarious, and while it is not a smart comedy in the fact that it is not a satire and does not carry any distinct political message (at least not a blatantly as some other comedies) but it is a smart comedy in that it really makes the effort to consistently deliver jokes that actually land, no matter what year your watching it (one of my main irritations with `Blazing Saddles' is that the film hasn't aged well since its political and racial jabs are not really relevant in today's society).
The film follows Jesse W. Heywood; Dr. Jesse W. Heywood; as he commits to traveling out west to help fight the war against oral ignorance. Yes, Heywood is a dentist. His plans are somewhat garbled when he meets Penelope Cushings, an outlaw who was captured by the law and given a chance at a pardon; if she can find the people responsible for supplying the Indians with guns. When the man who was supposed to pose as her husband gets shot she needs an easily manipulated sap to marry her so she can do her job. That sap turns out to be Heywood. Oblivious to the obvious, Heywood marries Penelope and they begin the journey out west.
Don Knotts made a string of successful comedies and was known for his comedic talent. He doesn't disappoint here either. His portrayal of the nervous and socially retarded Jesse W. Heywood is a joy to watch. His every awkward move adds more and more laughs to the pot. Barbara Rhoades is equally as important to the outcome of the film, for she serves as the offset to Knotts, delivering a more serious (yet ultimately comical) performance that is less outlandish, more subtle. Supporting performances by Donald Barry and Jackie Coogan add to the hilarity (if not the stereotypes).
The film takes a turn for the hilarious as a slew of events make Heywood look like a town hero (when of course Penelope is the real hero) and his head becomes bigger than his britches.
So, while the film is not as good as other comedies, and it surely does not have the following that some lesser worthy comedies have (`Blazing Saddles', `Caddy Shack' ~ don't hate me MKIA) `The Shakiest Gun in the West' is a lot of fun and a load of laughs. It deserves a following, so consider me the fan club president, and you can all be members. Just click `helpful' (hehehe) and leave me a comment!
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Shakiest Gun in the West
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