The Second Time Around (1961 film)
The Second Time Around is a 1961 Western comedy film starring Debbie Reynolds as a widow who relocates her family from 1911 or 1912 New York to the Arizona Territory. It is based on the novel Star in the West by Richard Emery Roberts.
| The Second Time Around | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Vincent Sherman |
| Produced by | Jack Cummings |
| Written by | Richard Emery Roberts (novel) Oscar Saul Clair Huffaker (as Cecil Dan Hensen) |
| Starring | Debbie Reynolds Steve Forrest Andy Griffith |
| Music by | Gerald Fried |
| Cinematography | Ellis W. Carter |
| Distributed by | Twentieth Century-Fox |
Release date |
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Running time | 99 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
The film co-stars Andy Griffith and Steve Forrest. It was directed by Vincent Sherman.
Plot
Lu Rogers, recently widowed, leaves her children in New York with her mother-in-law in 1911 and travels west to take a job she has been offered. Upon arriving in Arizona, the job falls through, so rancher Aggie Gates tries her out as a hired hand.
The resourceful Lu succeeds at work and catches the eye of two potential suitors, Dan Jones, a saloon owner, and Pat Collins, a rancher. A crooked sheriff is exposed by Lu, who is shocked by being offered his job. The humiliated sheriff pulls a holdup and kidnaps her.
A posse is formed and comes to Lu's rescue. She receives reward money and uses it to send for her kids. Dan wins her hand, while Pat accepts her badge.
Cast
- Debbie Reynolds as Lucretia Rogers
- Steve Forrest as Dan Jones
- Andy Griffith as Pat Collins
- Juliet Prowse as Rena Mitchell
- Thelma Ritter as Aggie Gates
- Ken Scott as Sheriff Burns
- Isobel Elsom as Mrs. Rogers
- Rudolph Acosta as Rodriguez
- Timothy Carey as Bonner
- Tom Greenway as Deputy Shack
- Eleanor Audley as Mrs. Trask
- Blossom Rock as Mrs. Vera Collins
Reception
Bosley Crowther, critic for The New York Times, wrote, "Don't look for quality in it. Just go there expecting nothing more than another chance to watch Miss Reynolds fluff her fine little feathers prettily, Miss Ritter play the hard-boiled softie, Andy Griffith chew the fat bucolically and Mr. Forrest act the noble scapegrace, and you may have a pretty good time."[1]
Emanuel Levy described it as a "mildly engaging Western comedy".[2]
References
- Bosley Crowther (December 23, 1961). "Debbie Reynolds Is in 'Second Time Around'". The New York Times.
- Emanuel Levy (May 21, 2020). "Second Time Around, The (1961): Vincent Sherman's Western Comedy, Starring Debbie Reynolds".
