1954's "The Boy from Oklahoma" is something of a misnomer, for the 42 year old Will Rogers Jr. Was certainly no 'boy,' but he's admittedly well cast as Tom Brewster, a laconic wannabe lawyer earning his keep as the new sheriff of Bluerock, New Mexico Territory, circa 1880 (on the heels of his own father's biopic "The Will Rogers Story"). His roping ability entrances the local youth but his lack of experience with a gun is the sole reason he was appointed by crooked mayor Barney Turlock (Anthony Caruso), the man responsible for the demise of his predecessor. More adept with firearms is the late sheriff's daughter Katie (Nancy Olson), who brands Brewster a coward for not packing a weapon, but grudgingly accedes that his easy going nature and quick wit manage to ease tensions with such belligerent drunks as Crazy Charlie (Lon Chaney), perfectly happy to spend a night behind bars rather than go home to a nagging wife. As he begins to unravel the mystery behind her father's death, the new lawman gets more than he bargained for in Turlock's employ. An excellent supporting cast includes Wallace Ford as the boozing postmaster, Sheb Wooley and Slim Pickens as Turlock henchmen, Lon Chaney in for just one scene, shooting up the local saloon in an effort to purge the town from sin, surrendering peacefully to the sheriff much to Katie's astonishment. The premise was good enough to inspire a TV series in 1957, Will Hutchins replacing Rogers as Tom Brewster, its pilot a virtual remake of this feature film.
Review of The Boy from Oklahoma
