Sorry, this movie sucks

Sadly Over-hyped

People are voting emotionally.

There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

First, there was Dietrich singing "See What the Boys in the Backroom Will Have" in "Destry Rides Again", now there's Miss Marjorie Main leading a chorus in "The Girls of the Golden West". Probably the oddest looking leader of saloon singers ever on screen, Main is also one of the funniest. As the rough and tough woman who pretty much runs the small town she lives in, she is determined to get the railroad to come through their town to build it up. This is where drunken horsethief Wallace Beery comes into play. Having just gotten out of a hanging in another town with the help of bartender J. Carroll Naish, Beery encounters Main as she delivers the mail with the help of her handy donkey (hense, the title.) Other gangsters are out to rob Main who carries gold bullion, and while he wants to get his hands on it himself, it is Beery who ends up as her protector. When he accidentally kills the bandit father of young Darryl Hickman, Beery finds himself responsible for the kid, and they develop a friendly relationship. But secrets like this never stay secret, and Hickman is very upset to learn the truth.The film is told through flashback as a little boy learns the story of one of his ancestors which shows Beery and Main as a statue in the town square. Hickman is a likable kid, and Naish offers some laughs as the Mexican bartender. But with Main and Beery along, it's apparent who will end up with the acting honors, and the two have great screen chemistry. It's different than Beery did with earlier partner, the blowsy Marie Dressler, but just as memorable.

Wallace Beery played the same basic role in countless movies from the 1930s through much of the 1940s. In each, he was a somewhat amoral galoot who had a soft spot for kids--and ultimately gains redemption by the end of the movie. Back in the 30s, he made quite a few successful films of this sort with Jackie Cooper (such as "Treasure Island") and in the 40s with Margaret O'Brien ("Bad Bascomb") and in this film with young Darryl Hickman. From what I have read (such as Cooper's autobiography), Beery actually hated kids and was a hard-drinking guy with a temper like a badger with a toothache! But the public didn't know this and adored this formula. Because of this, "Jackass Mail" certainly is NOT original, but it still is pleasant viewing.The film begins with Beery playing a horse thief with a strong desire to steal gold shipments. He soon meets up with another crooked guy (J. Carrol Naish) and together both of them try to be dishonest, but their better natures and luck conspire to keep them honest. Along the way, Beery (naturally) inherits a kid and soon begins a weird relationship with Marjorie Main--one where he initially wants to use her to get to the gold shipments but he eventually ends up falling for her. It's all a lot of fluff--but very enjoyable fluff. Well done but formula all the way. with no surprises...none.

I caught this movie last night on Turner Classic Movies, and I have to say it was a lot better than I expected. Yes, it was definitely a B-movie but it still stands up today, over sixty years later. Beery and Main, as well as the script have enough development, so that the two come off as more than just cookie cutter characters. In addition to the leads, Naish did a fine performance as a 'sidekick/comedy' character and young Tommy played by Hickman put in a good performance as well.I consider this a 'fun' movie and I'd watch it again if I caught it on, or even consider purchasing it on DVD if it were available. (An online search shows a few scattered notes of it being a rare find.) At approximately 80 minutes in duration, the timing is near perfect for the storyline.Finally, I do believe there is a bit more to this movie than what meets the eye. With the topics they cover, I was left wondering how different it could have/be done if they delved deeper and darker into some of the elements.7/10. If you have the means to catch this lost gem, it's worth it.

The repartee between Beery and Main is great, and between Beery and Naish, it's even better. Wallace is in top late-career form in this silly, but not too silly, and frantic comedy. His character will make you laugh for weeks after you see it. Tom Weeks has a nice supporting bit, and Marjorie Main is marvelous.