Unsung Heroes: 9 Underappreciated Western Comedies

Many Rivers to Cross (1955)

Many Rivers to Cross is a classic Western adventure set against the backdrop of the American Frontier in 1798. Starring Robert Taylor as Bushrod Gentry and Eleanor Parker as Mary Stuart Cherne, this underrated outdoor adventure features equal parts action, comedy, and romance.

Many Rivers To Cross (1955) Robert Taylor, Eleanor Park Western Movie

The film brings to mind a past era of American history with the then-modern added wonder of stereophonic sound on the big screen, making it a delightful experience for viewers of all ages.

The Shakiest Gun in the West (1968)

Featuring Don Knotts as a cowardly dentist unwittingly embroiled in a Western adventure, The Shakiest Gun in the West was a fantastic remake of the 1948 movie The Paleface.

Don Knotts in The Shakiest Gun in the West

The standout performance by Barbara Rhoades as Penelope 'Bad Penny' Cushings, a lady bandit who tricked Knotts' character into a sham marriage, added a hilarious and unexpected twist to this beloved Western comedy.

Rustlers' Rhapsody (1985)

Rustlers' Rhapsody takes parodic aim at the singing cowboy B-movies of the 1940s and is a love letter by director Hugh Wilson to the Westerns he loved as a child.

Tom Berenger as Rex O'Herlihan in Rustlers' Rhapsody (1985) Directed by Hugh Wilson

Starring Tom Berenger as Rex O'Herlihan, a cowboy drawn out of his black and white world into a more self-aware setting, this hilarious homage to old movies was ahead of its time and its meta-commentary on its own genre would be more at home in today’s contemporary comedy landscape.

Cat Ballou (1965)

Telling the story of the girl train robber Cat Ballou, this Western comedy starring Jane Fonda and Lee Marvin was a spoof adventure that acted as an incredible parody of the entire genre.

Jane Fonda as Cat Ballou in Cat Ballou

Full of satirical wit, juvenile lampoons, and Wild West mayhem, Cat Ballou still holds up nearly 60 years since its release, making it a timeless and underappreciated comedic gem.

Alias Jesse James (1959)

A Western comedy directed by the Marx brothers’ collaborator Norman Z. McLeod, Alias Jesse James featured Bob Hope and Rhonda Fleming in a wacky and wild adventure.

Alias Jesse James (1959) Directed by Norman Z. McLeod featuring Bob Hope

Based on a true story, this comedy about fugitives who are in over their heads demonstrates that there are some problems a cowboy can’t shoot himself out of, providing plenty of laughs for admirers of Bob Hope.

Maverick (1994)

Starring Mel Gibson as the card-playing con artist Bret Maverick, this charming homage to the earlier series effortlessly switches between action and comedy, delivering an adventure for the whole family.

Mel Gibson and Jodie Foster playing cards in Maverick 1994

With a talented supporting cast, including Jodie Foster and James Garner, Maverick is an underappreciated 1990s comedic gem that deserved to reach a larger audience.

Evil Roy Slade (1972)

A made-for-TV Western, Evil Roy Slade told the story of the meanest villain in the West and has gone on to become a cult classic, featuring John Astin as Roy Slade, a man who grew into a leader of a gang of bandits.

John Astin as Evil Roy Slade talking to a woman in Evil Roy Slade

This clever comedy keeps the jokes coming at a mile a minute, recalling the comedic style of Steve Martin’s The Jerk, but with horses and gunslingers, making it an underrated Western gem.

My Name Is Nobody (1973)

As a spoof of the Spaghetti Westerns of Sergio Leone and inspired by one of his ideas, My Name is Nobody worked incredibly well and featured a distinctive soundtrack by Ennio Morricone.

Terrence Hill sticking his tongue out in My Name Is Nobody

Starring Terence Hill as Nobody, a stand-in for Clint Eastwood’s Man with No Name from the Dollars trilogy, this film expertly comes together in a hilarious adventure, appealing to fans of action and comedy alike.

Three Amigos (1986)

Bringing together comedy legends Chevy Chase, Steve Martin, and Martin Short, Three Amigos was about three silent movie actors who are mistaken for real heroes by the people of a small Mexican village.

Steve Martin on horseback in Three Amigos

With a talented cast, a silly sense of humor, and a distinctive style, Three Amigos was a too-often ignored Western comedy by the acclaimed director of The Blues Brothers John Landis, making it a hidden comedic gem.