The Sheepman (1958)

The Sheepman (Dir: George Marshall, 1958). 

Glenn Ford had a terrific run of movies in the 1950s. Many of which were westerns, including this unusual oater with an excellent supporting cast. 

Ford stars as Jason Sweet, a stranger who arrives in cattle country with a flock of sheep which he intends to graze on public land. The cowpoke townsfolk disapprove mightily of this and let Sweet know, in no uncertain terms, that they want him gone. But the tough talking, milk drinking Sweet means business. Picking a fight with town heavy "Jumbo" McCall (Mickey Shaughnessy) and making an enemy of shifty cattle baron "Colonel" Steven Bedford (Leslie Nielsen); meanwhile giving the glad eye to Bedford's intended Dell Payton (Shirley MacLaine). 

The antagonistic anti-hero Sweet is a perfect role for Ford, who is superb as the wiseacre sheepman. Not necessarily a name you associate with the western genre, Shirley MacLaine brings a kooky charm to the role of Dell, Sweet's ally and unlikely love interest. Later known for comedy, it can be a little disconcerting seeing Leslie Nielsen in a straight role, particularly one with the ambivalence of the crooked Colonel. Once you accept that he not gonna spend the movie pulling funnies, he is completely believable in the role. The supporting cast is populated with familiar faces including a neat comic performance from Mickey Shaughnessy as big lug "Jumbo", and legendary character star Edgar Buchanan also as old-timer idler Milt Masters, Sweet's only other ally among the disgruntled townspeople. 

The Sheepman is an enjoyable western, enlivened by a legendary cast. While not an out and out comedy, William Bowers and James Edward Grant’s clever screenplay has a rich undercurrent of humour while George Kennedy’s stylish direction keeps things moving at a pace. Shot in Technicolor and CinemaScope by cinematographer Robert Bronner, it is one of those beautiful big screen movies that Hollywood once upon a time seemingly churned out. It probably losses a little something when viewed on TV but is still a handsome movie. 

Offbeat and entertaining, The Sheepman is a distinctly different flavour to other 1950s horse operas. While not one of Mr Ford’s best remembered movies, it certainly a title worth seeking out. Especially if, like me you have a soft spot for vintage Technicolor westerns.