Henry Goes Arizona (1939)

Simply A Masterpiece

As Good As It Gets

The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.

ANY opportunity to see Frank Morgan (The WIZARD !) is going to be an adventure. This came out the same year as Wizard of Oz, but which one do we remember ?? anyway... Henry inherits a property out west, and the local farm-hands are up to some no-good shenanigans. Character actor Guy Kibbee is the Judge, who helps figure out what's going on. At about 17:25 minutes, they dub out whatever Henry says after throwing the knife. The silence is deafening. Weird dubbing. Henry walks around trying to run the ranch while they are plotting around him. Virginia Weidler is in here as Molly. She was the extra precious little daughter in "The Women". She croaked quite young at 41... heart issues. The actor playing "Danny" (Owen Davis) also died age 41... drowning. Film has only 150 votes as of today.. Turner Classics must not show this one very often. Directed by Ed Marin..... who ALSO died young at 52. Marin had directed a bunch of the "Maisie" films, as well as a slew of westerns. It's pretty good. Plot is kind of jumpy, but any film with Morgan and Kibbee can't be all bad. Check it out if you can catch it!

If you enjoy the performances of character actor Frank Morgan (the wizard in "The Wizard Of Oz") you'll enjoy this short (a little over an hour) B film. Morgan plays an easterner who inherits a ranch in Arizona, where they plan to cheat him out of his property...by killing him if necessary (just as they did the previous owner...his half-brother). Sounds pretty serious, but it's done for laughs. Morgan is at his best playing the rather cowardly easterner.You'll recognize a few cast members, though you may only be able to put a name to Guy Kibbee. Delightful, as always, is child actress Virginia Weidler.The film is pleasantly funny, and worth a watch.

I saw this movie recently on Turner and i enjoyed it very much. Frank Morgan was a talented actor and here he is at his best. The actress who played the little girl was truly great, a gifted talent.There are some funny scenes like the one where Morgan tries to mount a horse by himself. After many tries he rides off barely hanging on. I think i smiled the most at this silly part. Still, the film is more of a character driven comedy that is mostly sweet and sentimental rather than hilarious. It reminded me somewhat of an episode of the Andy Griffith show. Another funny bit that has the sheriff and a prisoner sort of breaking out of jail together was very much like Barney and Otis doing their thing. This one is short and doesn't take time for adding a romantic interest for Morgan's character but that really wasn't necessary. This film was pretty well written but the cast make the movie. Guy Kibbee also does a fine job as a drunken but good intentioned lawyer. Overall a delightful old movie and for me, an enjoyable time spent watching. 1939 was certainly a great year for Hollywood!!

This little known film was shown the other night thanks to TCM. It proved to be a delightful surprise. The film directed by Edwin Marin and based on a story by W.C. Tuttle, makes a well spent sixty-six minutes.Best of all is Frank Morgan, who plays a man who suddenly learns about he has inherited his step-brother's ranch in Arizona after having failed in Manhattan. The film is fun because of the contrast the cattle farm presents for city slicker Henry Conroy.The supporting cast is excellent. The charming Virginia Weidler plays Molly, who takes to Henry immediately, as she thinks she has found a father figure at last. Guy Kibee, Slim Summerville, Douglas Fowley and Owen Davis Jr., are seen in minor roles.The film is a lot of fun thanks to Frank Morgan who is amazing in it.