Saturday, May 07, 2011

Movie review – “Pardners” (1956) ***

Martin and Lewis films in colour were always more enjoyable. This is lots of fun, starting on a high note with the duo playing old cowboys out west who are killed by some baddies; their kids come back to avenge them. Cowards pretending to be tough guys in the old west is normally surefire – Bob Hope, the Marx Brothers, etc – and it works here. Dean and Jerry have rarely been more relaxed or seemed to enjoy their partnership more – ironic when they were on the verge of splitting up (even though at the end they actually talk to the audience to reassure them they’re going to stick around). Decent support cast: Agnes Moorehead (funny as Jerry's protective mother), Lori Nelson, Jack Elam, Lee Van Cleef, Lon Chaney. Plenty of colour, action, barrooms, saloon singers, outlaws, etc.

No comments: