Henry Goes Arizona (1939)

Frank Morgan leads a likable cast in this pleasant comedy about a kindly but unsuccessful New York actor who inherits a ranch out west and needs help saving it from a gang of outlaws.Virginia Weidler is tops as the 12-year-old niece who has high expectations for her Uncle Henry; she helps Morgan develop his better self and eventually finds in him a kind of father figure.Among Morgan's other new western friends are Slim Summerville as the mild-mannered local sheriff; Guy Kibbee, a lawyer of dubious morals who turns out to be an ally as well; and Owen Davis, Jr., handsome young cowboy who is falsely jailed for murder but lends assistance to the cause when Weidler charms the sheriff into letting him "escape." Douglas Fowley plays the lead baddie—and very nasty and snippy he is when his wicked plans are thwarted! But even he looks like he knows it's all in fun.Morgan is very good at the center of it all. Hesitant, nervous, indecisive, well-intentioned but occasionally blustery—he is easy to root for.Very lightweight but lots of fun….Charming characters and a cute if simple story make this one enjoyable.

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.

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.

Terrific B-western/comedy starring Frank Morgan (THE WIZARD OF OZ) as a cowardly vaudeville performer who inherits a ranch in Tonto City, Arizona. HENRY GOES ARIZONA offers up plenty of the old B-western formulas and clichés, but with a comedic twist. This, along with excellent performances by Morgan, Virginia Weidler (the kid from THE PHILADELPHIA STORY) and veteran character actor Guy Kibbee, raise this one far above the ordinary run of mediocre B-oaters.8/10(Addendum, 10/21/05: I'm glad to see that more people are seeing this great little movie. It deserves the exposure.)