Review of Along Came Jones

Despite being noted as star Gary Cooper's sole producer credit, ALONG CAME JONES disappointingly proves little more than a middling (if not unenjoyable) Western; similarly, rather than give it the expected stature, the much-touted contribution of renowned scriptwriter Nunnally Johnson merely explains the film's talky nature. Besides, his tortuous plot results in generally woolly characterization – while listless pacing makes the whole feel much longer than its standard 90-minute duration! Anyway, the narrative sees cowhand Cooper being mistaken for outlaw-in-hiding Dan Duryea (not only for sporting an equivalent build and initials, but also in being flanked by a 'hare-brained' partner i.e. William Demarest); unbeknownst to him, this scenario is actually encouraged by the bandit's girlfriend (Loretta Young). The hero, however, is not as dumb and gullible as he looks: incidentally, I had reservations about Cooper playing this type of character in THE WESTERNER (1940) but, in the context of a comedy (the film is really an early spoof of the genre), it becomes an accepted convention. The first half, in fact, works quite well on this front – especially the star's would-be mean posturing and Demarest's reaction at being compared to "Uncle Roscoe Something"; the more typical action associated with the genre does come into play eventually…though still given a spin by having Young finally contrive to save Cooper, an awkward gunman, from the ruthless Duryea's bullets (during an earlier confrontation, the hero had exchanged quips – and clothing – with the villain) in a surprisingly bloody showdown a' la the 2 Howards' (Hawks and Hughes) THE OUTLAW (1943)!