ThiefHott Too much of everything

StunnaKrypto Self-important, over-dramatic, uninspired.

SpecialsTarget Disturbing yet enthralling

Robert Joyner The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

moonspinner55 Cocky confidence man--with the fastest, most dishonest hands in the West--escapes a tar and feathering in a small town, only to wind up in a different community running a casino and chasing after the judge's daughter. Clark Gable is so at ease in the leading role that one can sense him coasting on auto-pilot; he invests this wily character with his own personality, which gives the part its only verve (the writing is too staid). Lana Turner can't do much with her role as the girl-who-won't be-had, and she seems too young and inexperienced for Gable anyway (there's no reason why he should take a fancy to her). Supporting players Frank Morgan, Marjorie Main, Claire Trevor and Chill Wills are far more interesting than the leads, yet a later turn to drama throws a wet blanket over the hijinks. The opening scenes are diverting, as is some of the dialogue ("Was that fella botherin' you?" .. "Not as much as I bothered him!"). ** from ****

pitcairn89 I can't add much to what has already been written about this film, except a couple of observations. One is that I am surprised by how sexy the dialogue is, and some of the situations. Parts of it play almost like a Pre-Code film. For example, when Lana wakes up the morning after "clinching" her marriage to Gable, she is in a double bed. She looks over at his side of the bed, and sees just his pillow there, as he has already gotten up. He soon comes into the room, and the story continues. What is amazing, for the post-Code year of 1941, is that they obviously slept in the same bed. As everyone knows, from 1934 until the 1960s, married couples were always limited to twin beds. Or I thought they were. I wonder how many other films got away with this? Perhaps because it is an "historical" story, the censors excused it. There are some other scenes in the film that also push the 1941 envelope- some subtle, some pretty obvious.I agree with the others posters who point out the great chemistry between Gable and Turner. They played well in all their films together. Gable is at his height here as "Gable." The amusing, macho character everyone always remembers. Mostly by way of Rhett Butler. This was pretty much his film persona at the time. It's interesting when you watch his early '30s films, when he had a perhaps wider range of parts. He often played sensitive, educated men in those films (after his initial period playing gangsters). Doctors, a minister, flyers, an Italian soldier, Fletcher Christian, etc. I kind of wish he had played more of those types later in his career. But the public seemed to prefer him as endearing rascals. Among a group of great character actors, Marjorie Main is the standout, for me. I love all her snide comments and zingers, which are always on the mark. She was one of those supporting actors who could steal a scene from just about anyone. And she often acted as kind of a Greek chorus, summing up the goings on. You can't help but think of Ma Kettle, as they are similar types.Anyway, this is a pretty enjoyable film. Gable at his peak, Turner on her way up, and MGM at its zenith. And some racy dialogue, to boot.

Scarecrow-88 Well acted little western about a smooth talking con man named "Candyman" Johnson(perfectly played by the always dapper and charming Clark Gable who has never been better)who wishes "to take over" a town of his own and finds one in Yellow Creek. He's head-over-heels for Elizabeth(Lana Turner, her beauty is angelic), a Boston girl who is the daughter of a former con man he once knew and now the judge of Yellow Creek(justice of the peace, played by a wonderful Frank Morgan). The Judge is a bad drunk who doesn't like it all that his daughter is so in love with a trickster who has the uncanny ability to never find a way to stay in any town too long. Claire Trevor has a marvelous scene-stealing supporting part(it seems she's always in these parts, owning the scenes she's in)as a former "colleague" of Candy's who is a professional bar girl always working the gambling tables. Marjorie Main has an entertaining supporting role(another character actress who always steals her scenes)as Mrs. Varner, a woman who was to teach Liz about the ways of being a proper woman(cooking and such). Varner often is quite a fixture in town business whose voice is often heard loud over the others. Albert Dekker is Brazos, the corrupt sheriff of Yellow Creek who is automatically the arch nemesis of Candy's when it becomes clear that our con man has worked the town against their current "lawman"(it's stated by one of the townsfolk that Brazos just put the star on one day and began barking orders). Liz wants Candy to change and boozes him up so that when he wakes, he'll find that they are married. The film's melodrama stems from this unusual courtship and the different ways Liz changes instead of Candy. Bottom line is that Candy is intoxicated by Candy and can not resist his charms. What we later find, as corruption seethes within Yellow Creek as Candy is voted in as sheriff when Brazos is dropped like a bad habit, is that Candy's life has changed in that he loves Liz, but his taking from the town certain profits(60% of the town's earnings seem to fall into his pocket and buy lots of nice outfits for Liz and a nice fancy place to live)will soon upend him. And, the drinking judge hates Candy enough he'll try to use documents of the con man's corruption against him as the town grows restless at what their lawman has swindled them out of.The film starts out really entertaining with great dialogue as Gable works his charm on everyone around him. Seeing Gable work tricks on unsuspected victims like Dekker's Brazos and the townsfolk with fancy words is also a hoot. Eventually, though, the melodrama is laid on a bit thick and the film bogs down towards the end. Still, the film has such an amazing cast with good leads it's hard not to recommend to western fans.

funkyfry A good cast makes the best of the standard melodrama they've been pushed into. Turner's in love with rascal Gable, who can't resist her charms either (possibly for no other reason that they're the biggest stars in the movie). Trevor is his slighted lover, who seems to take it all in a spirit of know-how. Given Morgan's corruption in the first part of the film, the actor can't make his second half conversion seem plausible despite his skills. Some fun moments, but largely forgettable MGM product.