moonspinner55 Cocky confidence man--with the fastest, most dishonest hands in the West--escapes a tar and feathering in a small town, only to wind up in a different community running a casino and chasing after the judge's daughter. Clark Gable is so at ease in the leading role that one can sense him coasting on auto-pilot; he invests this wily character with his own personality, which gives the part its only verve (the writing is too staid). Lana Turner can't do much with her role as the girl-who-won't be-had, and she seems too young and inexperienced for Gable anyway (there's no reason why he should take a fancy to her). Supporting players Frank Morgan, Marjorie Main, Claire Trevor and Chill Wills are far more interesting than the leads, yet a later turn to drama throws a wet blanket over the hijinks. The opening scenes are diverting, as is some of the dialogue ("Was that fella botherin' you?" .. "Not as much as I bothered him!"). ** from ****

pitcairn89 I can't add much to what has already been written about this film, except a couple of observations. One is that I am surprised by how sexy the dialogue is, and some of the situations. Parts of it play almost like a Pre-Code film. For example, when Lana wakes up the morning after "clinching" her marriage to Gable, she is in a double bed. She looks over at his side of the bed, and sees just his pillow there, as he has already gotten up. He soon comes into the room, and the story continues. What is amazing, for the post-Code year of 1941, is that they obviously slept in the same bed. As everyone knows, from 1934 until the 1960s, married couples were always limited to twin beds. Or I thought they were. I wonder how many other films got away with this? Perhaps because it is an "historical" story, the censors excused it. There are some other scenes in the film that also push the 1941 envelope- some subtle, some pretty obvious.I agree with the others posters who point out the great chemistry between Gable and Turner. They played well in all their films together. Gable is at his height here as "Gable." The amusing, macho character everyone always remembers. Mostly by way of Rhett Butler. This was pretty much his film persona at the time. It's interesting when you watch his early '30s films, when he had a perhaps wider range of parts. He often played sensitive, educated men in those films (after his initial period playing gangsters). Doctors, a minister, flyers, an Italian soldier, Fletcher Christian, etc. I kind of wish he had played more of those types later in his career. But the public seemed to prefer him as endearing rascals. Among a group of great character actors, Marjorie Main is the standout, for me. I love all her snide comments and zingers, which are always on the mark. She was one of those supporting actors who could steal a scene from just about anyone. And she often acted as kind of a Greek chorus, summing up the goings on. You can't help but think of Ma Kettle, as they are similar types.Anyway, this is a pretty enjoyable film. Gable at his peak, Turner on her way up, and MGM at its zenith. And some racy dialogue, to boot.

miss_meli ...Lana like every other actress was up for the role of Scarlett O'Hara, but the role was not meant for her. The role of Elizabeth Cotton was however. The role of Elizabeth Cotton gives Lana an opportunity to play Scarlett O Hara in a role tailor made for her. There are many similarities between the characters, but more differences than similarities. Truth be told this is really Clark Gable's film. The film gives Clark an extended version of Rhett Butler as Candy Johnson. In fact one can almost picture Rhett Butler going from telling Scarlett O'Hara that he doesn't give a damn to changing his name, becoming Candy Johnson and falling for Elizabeth Cotton on the train. The story is no classic but it sure is fun to watch and cannot be remade today. It needs this cast, its leads and its supporting cast as well; Frank Morgan as Lana's dad, Majorie Main, and of course Gable's sidekick Chill Wills. 6.5 is too low for this film as it's very entertaining.

Pat-54 A very predictable script, but the screen team of Clark Gable and Lana Turner cannot be beat! Plus, the supporting cast is first-rate with Majorie Main, Frank Morgan and Claire Trevor.