‘Support Your Local Sheriff!’: This Forgotten 55-Year-Old Western Was a Huge Hit

Western comedies have been largely neglected in recent years, with the Coen brothers’ 2018 film, ‘The Ballad of Buster Scruggs,’ being one of the last notable entries. This is disappointing given the rich history of the genre-within-a-genre, with classics like ‘Blazing Saddles,’ ‘Three Amigos,’ and ‘City Slickers’ offering laughs and standing as some of the best films of their time. In earlier decades, comedy Westerns were quite common when the genre was more dominant, unlike the current complex reception of Westerns like ‘Horizon: An American Saga.’

‘Support Your Local Sheriff!’ from 1969 fits perfectly into this tradition. Directed by Burt Kennedy and starring James Garner, Jack Elam, and a strong supporting cast including Walter Brennan and Joan Hackett, this film parodies Western conventions with hilarious effects. Garner’s character becomes the sheriff of a lawless town in Colorado, leading to a series of comedic events that play on classic Western tropes.

Also Read: Exploring The Impact of Francis Galluppi’s Directorial Debut in Modern Western Films

Garner, known for his comedic roles in Westerns like the TV show ‘Maverick,’ shines in this film. Despite a rocky start at the box office, the movie became a hit through word of mouth, grossing $5 million on a $750,000 budget. 

Its success underscores the challenge and reward of making good parodies, combining familiar elements with fresh humour. ‘Support Your Local Sheriff!’ remains a standout example of Western parody, still enjoyable today and available on various streaming platforms.

–Farheen Ali