Strange Lady in Town

I watched this on TCM first, didn't think it good enough to keep, though there were parts I really liked. I'm a big fan of both Garson and Andrews- I thought Garson's character well-acted and inspirational (strong, principled, etc.), while Andrews' was bizarre and his character development made little sense. He acted like a nutcase. This had partly to do with the writing, of course. That said, there were lofty, and quite profound, ahead-of-their-time ideas expressed (like "enabling"), one reason I think it worth watching. Also, I found the character development of supplemental characters (Garson's brother and Andrews' daughter) intriguing and integral to the plot. The main critique I have is of Andrews' whacko behavior and a failure to show how he went from point A to point B. The way Latinos were depicted was also cringe-worthy. But I never found the film boring, and I liked the ending.

First off, someone took the easy way out on the naming the title of this movie. They must have left it for last or someone in corporate said hey call it strange lady in town. What? Okay, let's move on. Dana Andrews plays his part as does Greer and what's not to like in a Western. The West of the 1880's was full of never ending stories all from different perspectives and here is one of them. Lady doctor and a man doctor in one small town? Add some horses, festivals, gun-play, good and bad guys, love interests, poor Mexican village, a padre and little ranches and we giddiyup! I will say that the story could have been more developed but the point is that they got together and knocked this out. It entertains and I recommend a sandwich with a tasty drink while watching with a snack on standby. Mount-up and let's ride!

It's 1880 Santa Fe, New Mexico. Dr. Julia Winslow Garth newly arrives in town from back east. She's an oddity. She's a woman AND a doctor.

The most interesting actor for me is Lois Smith who plays Spurs O'Brien. I've only known her as an old woman. It's weird to see her as a fetching twenty something. It would have been interesting to see a buggy crash after a buggy chase. This western romance struggles to be interesting. There is no heat in the lead romance which generates no tension. Greer Garson starts off interesting but only for being a doctor. Dana Andrews is doing nothing after screaming for his buggy. The two of them really face no real hurdle. There is more energy in Spurs' crush. At least, that has a bit of drama. At two hours, this simply drags on too long with no intensity.

Set in 1880s , old Santa Fe , New Mexico, a young female doctor from Boston arrives in Santa Fe to establish her new medical practice , but she's involved into a lot of troubles . Dr. Julia Garth (Greer Garson) uses of diplomacy and trustworthy and she is set to live with her brother, U. S. Cavalry lieutenant David Garth (Cameron Mitchell) . But the town already has a male physician, Dr. Rourke O'Brien Dana Andrews) and problems emerge . His tomboy niece , Spurs O'Brien (Lois Smith who nowadays goes on playing) , has a teenage crush on the handsome Cavalry lieutenant David Garth, Julia's brother. The first hospital of this community is managed by friendly Catholic priest Father Gabriel Mendoza (Walter Hampden) and a few nuns. Conflicts arise when her medicine knwledges are opposite to traditional doctor Rourke . As Julia brings peace and harmony to the local society , the poor Mexican people and Indian community . Later on , Julia is perplexed by his brother who turns a criminal life , becoming an outlaw and resulting in fateful consequences. She was the one woman Rork didn't want in Santa Fe ... but he'd kill anybody who'd try to make her leave ...!

A soap-opera Western stars a brave female doctor who uses the power of medic science and her raw courage to vanquish difficulties . Acceptable picture allegedly based on actual events , the film has agreeable messages dealing with an obstinate physician who fights for the rights of the Mexicans and other unfortunate people and based on mutual respect for independence of the Woman rather than submission to Man , as well as demonstrations of modern medical science . As our starring brings to the West the latest medical theories , equipment as well as innovations and opposed by an established doctor . Main and support cast are frankly good . Greer Garson gives an attractive acting by playing a female doctor who plans to introduce modern techniques of medicine , while Dana Andrews is nice as the serious widower doctor who eventually falls for her and Lois Smith as his rebel daughter . Along with a stunning support cast , such as : Cameron Mitchell, Walter Hampden , Pedro Gonzalez Gonzalez , Joan Camden , José Torvay, Frank DeKova , ordinary nasty Robert J. Wilke, Russell Johnson , Gregory Walcott , Douglas Kennedy , Paul Birch and brief apperances of two historical characters : New Mexico Governor Lewis Wallace who wrote ¨Ben Hur¨ -well performed by Ralph Moody- and pardoned Billy The Kid played by early deceased Nick Adams.

It contains a colorful and gorgeous cinematography in CinemaScope and Technicolor by Harold Rosson and Robert Surtees , shot on location in Ironwood Forest National Monument, Arizona, Tucson Mountains , Sonoran Desert, Arizona, Sierrita Mountains, Arizona . This Grand scale Western was professionally directed by Mervyn Leroy , though it was unsuccessful . Mervyn was a Hollywood craftsman who earlier made the classic mobster movie : ¨Little Caesar¨ with Edward G. Robinson and furthermore , he produced and partly directed, without credit the studio's classic Wizard of Oz (1939) . He was a typical Hollywood filmmaker who directed a lot of lavish and usually successful movies, such as : Gold Diggers 1933 , I am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang , Waterloo Bridge , Anthony Adverse , Devil at 4 O'Clock , Gypsy , Million Dollar Mermaid, Without Reservations , Little Women that won Academy Award : Oscar 1949 Art Direction/Set Decoration, Thirty seconds over Tokyo and his big hit : Quo Vadis . The picture will appeal to Greer Garson fans and Western aficionados .

While not a classic, a truly enjoyable film with a favorite star of mine, Greer Garson. Dana Andrews is also a fine actor and plays his part with convincing sincerity. Mitchell is also a fine actor but does seem to be acting, more so than Greer Garson or Dana Andrews. The Billy the Kid segment is a bit over the top, but OK. The young lady is GREAT!Wish I had been able to see more of her. The theme song is a fine one. Frankie Lane never acquired the acclaim he should have had, either. However, it was evidently a forgettable tune, but one I know by heart. Dana Andrews is a doctor, soured on life since the death of his wife. He is raising a daughter, while being the only M.D. in a small village, in the old west. Into town drives Greer Garson. A brilliant woman who has studied medicine in Europe and has several new techniques to try to update the staid, older doctor. Sparks fly and so do the tempers.