Pardners (1956)

The son (Jerry Lewis) of a wealthy shipping magnate (Agnes Moorehead) runs off with a cowboy (Dean Martin) to achieve his dream of living life in the West. But the devious leader (John Baragrey) of a gang of masked bandits arranges for the greenhorn to become the town's new sheriff. Directed by Norman Taurog, this is a very loose remake of RHYTHM ON THE RANGE (1936), a Bing Crosby film also directed by Taurog. It follows the Martin & Lewis formula pretty tightly with Lewis providing the laughs and Martin the tunes although the best number in the film Buckskin Beauty is performed by Lewis, who passed away this week. This may not be the strongest of Lewis's vehicles but he and Martin's chemistry go a long way in keeping the high spirits that propel the movie forward. Lewis was one of the true comic geniuses of 20th century cinema and he'll be missed. With Agnes Moorehead, who plays both Lewis's wife and mother, Lori Nelson, Jeff Morrow, Lee Van Cleef, Jack Elam, Jackie Loughery and Lon Chaney Jr.