Masterful Movie

I wanted to like it more than I actually did... But much of the humor totally escaped me and I walked out only mildly impressed.

Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

One of the film's great tricks is that, for a time, you think it will go down a rabbit hole of unrealistic glorification.

While Frank Morgan is most known for his appearance in "The Wizard of Oz", his forte was making nice B-movies for MGM. His affable personality shone through in these pictures and most are well worth seeing--and the quality of the films make them seem like A- pictures--short enough to be a B but higher quality.Despite the weird title, "Henry Goes Arizona" is one of Morgan's better films. He is lovely in the lead and it helps that he had able support from Guy Kibbee, Slim Summerville and, especially, Virginia Weidler.Then the story begins, Henry (Morgan) learns that his step-brother has died and left him his ranch out west. Considering Henry is broke, he eagerly jumps at the chance to take control of the place. However, when he arrives in Tonto City (tonto is the Spanish word for 'idiot'), he learns that his step-brother had been murdered and Henry is not about to stick around and be killed himself. But his sweet nice, Molly (Weidler) believes in him and so he belatedly decides to stay. But being a total wimp, you wonder just how long Henry will stick around Tonto City.An enjoyable script and some enjoyable acting make this worth seeing. By the way, notice Morgan on a horse...he really did know what he was doing despite acting out of his element!

Hank Conroy (Frank Morgan) is a vaudeville performer looking for work (from Theatrical Agent Cliff Clark, uncredited) when he receives notice from his landlady, to whom he owes back rent, that his half brother has died and left him a ranch in Arizona. So, Henry Goes to Arizona. On the bus ride to the desert community, he is frightened by stories that his brother was murdered, shot in the back. Jim Thorpe appears, uncredited, as one of its passengers. Hank then learns that his brother was a ruthless rancher and that the jury has just deadlocked in the trial of Danny Regan (Owen Davis Jr.), suspected by few of his brother's murder. Judge Van Treece (Guy Kibbee) had failed to earn an acquittal for his client, so Sheriff Parton (Slim Summerville), one of the ones who doesn't think he did it, must lock Danny up.Crooked banker Ed Walsh (Porter Hall, uncredited) tries to get Hank to sign away the ranch before he's even seen it. His partner in crime, Ricky Dole (Douglas Fowley), was not only responsible for the murder of Hank's brother, but is also the foreman of the ranch. Walsh and Dole were conspiring to obtain the rights to the ranch and its riches before Hank showed up. The skittish Hank is not so sure he wants to stay, and would rather return to New York, before the Judge convinces him that it would be safer if he spent the night out at the ranch. Once he's there, he meets Molly Cullison (Virginia Weidler), who first claims she was Hank's brother's niece before she admits that she only wishes it were true. Molly charms Hank and seems to give him the courage he needs to stand up to those who would run him off. Emboldened by Molly, Hank fires Dole who, along with another conspirator, then spreads vicious rumors among the other ranchers saying that Hank plans changes that would be detrimental to their businesses.However, Hank comes up with a plan to feed the disgruntled posse (Hank Bell and Eddie Dunn are among those who appear uncredited in this group) as he charms them to the point that they ignore Dole's false claims about Hank's intentions. Convinced he's still in danger (having been shot at), Hank decides to return to New York over Molly's fervent protestations and tears. But the Judge pretends to kidnap Molly and interrupts Hank just before he's signed over his ranch to Walsh with the news. While Hank, with the Judge in tow, starts his search, Walsh and Dole discuss what they've done thus far and what they plan to do next to get Hank to give up the ranch to them. In the barn, Molly overhears this, so they catch and really kidnap her. Danny, who the Sheriff had allowed Molly to "spring" from his jail earlier, learns of Molly's kidnapping and the Sheriff allows him to escape again to try and help find her. The rest of the film is the search and rescue of Molly in which Hank shows newfound fortitude and his vaudeville ingenuity to save the day.

This film is just pure delight. If you want a serious flick on the world's problems, this isn't one of them. Half of it doesn't even make sense, which is a great part of its easy charm. Is this really Arizona in 1939, or did the director even bother checking out the place? It really doesn't matter. If Frank Morgan was half as nice a man in real life as he is in this picture, then I wish I had known him. Young Virginia Weidler is a delight. Morgan's comedic timing ought to be studied in film schools. He can move from yes to no and back to yes on a dime. The first scenes in the film when, as an out of work actor, he's offered a vaudeville job as the target of a drunken sharpshooter, is a masterpiece of fast dialog and twisting body language. Nobody ever dithered like Frank Morgan. Thanks to TCM for showing it and don't miss it the next time.

Terrific B-western/comedy starring Frank Morgan (THE WIZARD OF OZ) as a cowardly vaudeville performer who inherits a ranch in Tonto City, Arizona. HENRY GOES ARIZONA offers up plenty of the old B-western formulas and clichés, but with a comedic twist. This, along with excellent performances by Morgan, Virginia Weidler (the kid from THE PHILADELPHIA STORY) and veteran character actor Guy Kibbee, raise this one far above the ordinary run of mediocre B-oaters.8/10(Addendum, 10/21/05: I'm glad to see that more people are seeing this great little movie. It deserves the exposure.)