The Shakiest Gun in the West

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The Shakiest Gun in the West

1968

1h 41m

Western

Comedy

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1 Reviews

70%

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2,500+ Ratings

in 1870, bumbling Philadelphia-based dentist Jesse W. Haywood (Don Knotts) travels west to set up a practice in the frontier. There, he meets Penelope Cushings (Barbara Rhoades), a pretty bandit who has agreed to investigate an Indian gun-smuggling operation in exchange for her freedom. When their wagon train is attacked, Penelope shoots several Indians dead. However, Jesse falsely assumes it was his errant gunshots that saved the wagon, and soon earns a reputation as a great gunslinger.

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Brian Costello

Common Sense Media

Wacky Don Knotts Western spoof has lots of drinking.

Rated: 3/5

Jul 2, 2012

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Ron G

It IS an old time movie comedy Classic with plenty of memorable Don Knots shtick. You just have to feel for his character! And Barbara Rhodes is hot. SO, it is definitely worth seeing once! (actually, I think I've seen it 3 times!!!)

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

06/18/24

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s r

I really wanted to like this, but it was just too much like dad jokes, in a bad way. Saw it on TCM.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

Amazing movie a classic very very funny

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/14/23

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Audience Member

Don Knotts is a funny guy! Put Barney Fife in a western! loved it!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/31/23

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Audience Member

All of the gags and jokes are either hit or miss. No in between.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/08/23

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Audience Member

This pile of mediocrity definitely is not Knotts' best at all. In fact, I would go as far to say its his worst. But, just because it is the star's worst movie doesn't always mean the movie itself is bad. The film marginal, in its own way.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

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Alan Rafkin

Director

Don Knotts

Dr. Jessie Heywood

Barbara Rhoades

Penelope "Bad Penny" Cushings

Jackie Coogan

Matthew Basch

Don "Red" Barry

Reverend Zachary Grant

Ruth McDevitt

Olive

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Sayonara, Miyagi-San

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Synopsis

in 1870, bumbling Philadelphia-based dentist Jesse W. Haywood (Don Knotts) travels west to set up a practice in the frontier. There, he meets Penelope Cushings (Barbara Rhoades), a pretty bandit who has agreed to investigate an Indian gun-smuggling operation in exchange for her freedom. When their wagon train is attacked, Penelope shoots several Indians dead. However, Jesse falsely assumes it was his errant gunshots that saved the wagon, and soon earns a reputation as a great gunslinger.

Director: Alan Rafkin
Producer: Edward Montagne
Screenwriter: Edmund L. Hartmann, Frank Tashlin, James Fritzell, Everett Greenbaum
Production Co: Universal Pictures
Genre: Western, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 11, 2015
Runtime: 1h 41m

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