The Cheyenne Social Club was a cute movie with a slightly naughty tone to it. I saw the movie at the movie theater when it first came out. The people that were taking care of me, while my parents were out of town, decided to take me to the movies. In their opinion, what could be more wholesome than a western? While watching the movie they became worried about what my parents would say because they exposed "innocent little me" to a movie featuring "ladies of the evening".

Jimmy Stewart, and his real life best friend, Henry Fonda were cowboys. After several years, a letter that was sent to Jimmy Stewart's character had finally arrived at a camp that he was working at. The letter informed him that he inherited real estate. He was to come to Cheyenne to take possession of The Cheyenne Social Club. The club was a very fancy brothel. Shirley Jones (wholesome Shirley Partridge from the Partridge Family) played the madam. Perfect casting.

As soon as Jimmy Stewart's character (John O'Hanlan) reads the letter he immediately gets on his horse without saying a word. Henry Fonda's character (Harley Sullivan) follows along and is constantly talking. A week goes by and Harley is still talking. O'Hanlan finally interrupts Harley and asks why he had not been curious about where they was going. Harley was just being a good friend and figured that his good-buddy would tell him sooner or later. 

The two cowpokes go to the lawyer and MR. JOHN O'HANLAN signs the papers and becomes a man of stature. A businessman in the community. John is still clueless about what type of business it is. He asks directions from a "proper" lady on how to get to The Cheyenne Social Club. The "proper" lady smacks the hell out of him. He is still clueless.

A typical western is required to have a gunfight. This western is no different. John O'Hanlan has reluctantly become the "father figure" at the Social Club. When a man attacked one of "his girls" he walks into one of the town's bars and states that he is looking for Corey Bannister. He goes on to say, "they tell me that I can recognize him by the streak of yellow running down his back" Bannister pulls his gun first but hears a crackling sound from his right side. Thinking that it was a gun cocking sound he turns his pistol to the sound. John O'Hanlan, the ex-cowpoke and now semi-wealthy businessman, was a lot slower at pulling his gun out. The distraction gave him the time to get his gun out of the holster and he fires the weapon. He hit Bannister dead-on, without Bannister ever firing a shot at Jimmy .

What was the crackling sound? Henry Fonda was standing in the corner of the bar. He was doing what he constantly did throughout the picture - HE WAS CRACKING NUTS & POPPING THEM INTO HIS MOUTH. Even a gunfight with a man dropping dead can be done in a funny manner.

Who was the master director who had accomplished making a film with a blend of naughtiness, western bravado, humor & sexiness? In my opinion, the director / producer was the least likely person to be at the control of this picture. Gene Kelly, the infamous singer and dancer, was also a director and producer of the film. His usual forte were musicals. He directed Singin' in the Rain, Hello Dolly & a Doris Day light comedy The Tunnel of Love. Surprisingly, he was a master at light comedy and he transferred it to a western. Granted, he had a fantastic cast. Jimmy Stewart, Henry Fonda & Shirley Jones were definitely partly responsible for this classic comedy western.

Posted below is the movie trailer for The Cheyenne Social Club.




By the way, when I heard that my babysitters had been worried about the risque material that they exposed me to, I laughed about it and said that I have seen "worse" (for lack of a better word) stuff on TV. Granted, 1970 was a lot more innocent than 2010. Just the same, the movie was very tame.






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