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Very very predictable, including the post credit scene !!!

Funny, strange, confrontational and subversive, this is one of the most interesting experiences you'll have at the cinema this year.

if their story seems completely bonkers, almost like a feverish work of fiction, you ain't heard nothing yet.

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

I have been a fan of Jean Arthur for many years, and the reason for this post is not so much to review the movie (which I enjoyed), but to share some trivia about the production. I have a letter from a man associated with the production, Charles Bimbo, and in his letter he describes working on the set and how Jean Arthur gave him the job of taking care of the farm animals that appeared in the film. His letter has the name of the film, and directors name on the envelope itself. On the back of the letter is a studio stamp from the picture. It's just a nice piece of history, and I'm glad to own it. I have submitted an additional crew member to the cast and crew list, as he was not listed and I have historical proof of his role. It still is in excellent shape even after 73 years. Apparently he was a friend of my family and sent them an update of his life and times; just wanted to share.

I am a fan of all 3 of this film's principals - Jean Arthur, William Holden and Warren William. This film is not the premier vehicle for any of their talents, however, it is a very entertaining western. First, if you have read some of the other comments, I want to provide a few corrections. William Holden is NOT a drifter - he is in the United States Cavalry. He does not appear and disappear. Early in the film he returns rather expediently (just like the Cavalry!) to save Jean Arthur when Porter Hall has turned the tables on her (so to speak) and has her at gunpoint. Holden then pops in and out of Arthur's office a time or two, while stationed in Tucson. (Presumably he is on duty from time to time!) Jean Arthur does not become feminine whenever Holden is around. To the contrary, she is in her usual, untidy, "male" garb whenever he is around - even when he proposes to her! The first time she dons a dress is on the eve of Holden's trip back to Nebraska to acquire feedstock for the ranch they are building - which is the reason he "disappears!" The dress, she makes clear, is new for the occasion - intended to remind him of what's waiting for his return! (It may well be her only dress - "special" for the occasion, and in anticipation of her married life!) She rides out to meet him with their new herd in her same- old breeches and hat! Oh yeah - she wears a dress on their wedding day!Many negative comments have been made about the difference in age between Arthur and Holden. Actually, I completely disagree with the criticism - on several levels. First, from a technical standpoint, I find it fascinating that in this film the customary casting technique is reversed! Male leads are usually old enough to be the fathers of their co-stars! But when I look at Arthur in this movie, I fail to see a woman who is obviously older than Holden. I think Jean Arthur's age is always difficult to determine in film - if you are inclined to speculate on such matters. She seems rather ageless to me - and she certainly doesn't "show her age" in this movie. Even more to the point, however, I suspect that people who criticize the film on that basis are more influenced by other depictions by Hollywood of the Old West than by the reality, itself. Women lived extremely hard lives in the Old West. Plus, I have no doubt that the climate of Territorial Arizona would have rapidly aged a hard-working woman. Without modern moisturizers and astringents, I suspect a woman's skin began to look twice its age after a very short time in that harsh environment. Thus, if you do think that Arthur looks older than (an admittedly very young-looking) Bill Holden, I suspect that's just about what you should expect of a female in that environment when compared with a recent arrival from less harsh environs further east. (For a perfect illustration of this, just check out Barbara Stanwyck in So Big. The use of hands as a symbol in that movie is wonderful!)The story is a little uneven. Just how the arrival of the herd on the very day Arthur is to pay off the debt will help her circumstances is not made clear. No prospective buyer is ever identified. Nor has Warren shown any willingness to accept cattle in payment. AND, After all, the herd was intended to be the basis of their ranch stock. But never mind! The cast is stellar. Warren William stands out as the villain. Holden is good in his first starring role. Arthur always looks and sounds good, even if she seems a little out of place in dusty Tucson - as opposed to an office on Capitol HIll! This is not a great western, but it is a good example of a TYPICAL western. THAT is its strength.

"Well done, but seems to go on forever," was Leonard Maltin's verdict. Same here. It's a feminist's western, with JEAN ARTHUR strutting around like she thinks she's still playing Calamity Jane and striking an occasional male pose while discussing her business plans with good man WILLIAM HOLDEN and bad guy WARREN WILLIAM. It serves the role well enough but doesn't seem completely natural.Her particular talents were better served by good comedy roles, in my opinion. What's more, she seems too mature to be a plausible leading lady for a 22 year-old--and very youthful looking--Holden. I recall reading that she didn't want Holden to be her leading man, and I can understand why. Gary Cooper wasn't available, according to Robert Osborne and Arthur finally consented to Holden's selection.Arthur plays a pioneer woman with a lot of backbone, ordering men around, making plans that include a hubby and a good piece of ranch land and a future--always spunky and up to the challenge, whether it's a petty thief or a downright criminal trying to take over her business.She never quite convinced me that she was completely at home on the range, while WILLIAM HOLDEN is very engaging in one of his less cynical roles and is refreshingly natural in a western role.***** POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD *****WARREN WILLIAM, too, is expert as a con man posing as a helpful friend to Arthur while in reality leading a gang of swindlers, and not above shooting his partners in the back.It's a well mounted western with plenty of shooting and riding, lots of Indian extras and cattle herds--but some draggy spots before a climactic showdown between hero and villain, after which our hero and heroine head for the proverbial sunset as a married couple.Fans of Jean Arthur and William Holden should enjoy this one.

At the risk of sounding jingoistic, this film shows in microcosm how the greatest nation the world has ever known, the United States of America, came into being. It was literally carved from the wilderness by brave frontier men and women who are played as archetypes of those heroes and heroines by screen legends William Holden (one of my favorites) and Jean Arthur (Mr. Deeds, Only Angels Have Wings, The Talk of the Town). The very precarious existence of America's pioneers is presented with stark realism in this entirely plausible film. For those who only celebrate the Fourth of July by enjoying the fireworks, let them understand the hardships (and triumphs) their ancestors faced . Terrific period drama. 7/10.