The Ballad of Josie (1968)

The problem with this film is that it tried so hard to be funny with some really stupid slap-stick routines that just seemed out-of-place for such a fine cast. Doris Day was not really that bad playing the lead in her charming ways. And even Peter Graves did better than expected as he was cast next to the beautiful Ms Day. The movie was more about comedy than a western -making this somewhat better had it be placed in more modern times than dirty and dusty west. Even from the beginning with the modern song that introduced the title characters, the viewer had a feeling that this was not going to be pretty. This movie tried to be a western but with its fancy talk and high priced wardrobes it just had a feel of being unbelievable. Which leads us to the biggest problem with this film- not believable.The plot, the writing, the situations, the comedy, the drama and the look of this movie all seem to be wrong. And all these factor usually make for a disaster of a show. But the fine actors is what saves this movie from being an all-out wreck. This is not a movie that I would want to watch again but would recommend watching just to see the many fine actors. Just did not have the combination or interest for a good film.

Doris Day, in my opinion has given only two "bad performances." One was in "Do Not Disturb" and the other in "That Touch of Mink." And, it wasn't so much Doris' fault...it was the scripts and unwise directors who tried to keep her pure as the driven sunshine."Ballad of Josie" had spunk. It was about a woman who decided to take control of her own life after having been a battered wife. She needed to take care of her little boy and she felt that she didn't NEED A MAN to do anything FOR her. We should be applauding, not hissing this independent woman.Day didn't want to make this film (her husband had signed for her to do it), but she felt, "a deal's a deal." She put 110% into Josie Minick and she gave a VERY professional performance. No surprise to me, because Day always gave her all, even with drivel like "Disturb" and "Mink." As an actress, she fulfilled her obligation and then some in this part. Could Shirley MacLaine or Debbie Reynolds have given a more convincing performance? I think not. Doris' approach to any scene is so natural, people forget that she's acting. Therefore, audiences and critics ignore what an incredible job she's done, despite poor scripts.This is not among Doris Day's great films, but she was wonderful in all of her scenes. The script? It wasn't the greatest, but it wasn't the worse. I felt that her supporting cast was well-represented by some of the best character actors in the business. She got marvelous support from Andy Devine, William Talman, Peter Graves, George Kennedy, John Fiedler, Audrey Christie, David Hartman, Elizabeth Fraiser, Paul Fix, etc. And, didn't she look incredible in those jeans?!!!!!!!!

What's not to love about this film? If you can reserve judgment until the end, you'll discover the humorous and heartwarming tale of a woman who is not afraid to stand her ground! Doris Day as Josie, opposite Peter Graves' Jason, is a tremendous force to be reckoned with. In true Doris-style she takes on "the men" of Wyoming, bucking convention (in a great pair of Levi's) and daring them to deny her her basic human rights. OK, so it only takes 2 glasses of brandy to knock Josie off her feet, but she comes right back swinging all the harder! And when the dust clears, she's there, triumphant to the end. Not only does she beat back an oppressive cattle baron, she also manages to fend for herself and her son, run a sheep-raising operation, endear herself to the women of Wyoming, and win the love and admiration of a pretty swell guy, in my opinion. So who says you can't have your cake and eat it too? I give Josie 10 stars **********

One of Doris Day's lesser-known entries from late in her film career, one even she wishes she had passed on. Feisty female turns rancher in this feminist western, butting heads with the local-yokels in a distaff variation on "The Sheepman". Doris doesn't look her best here (blame it on that wig), although her conniption fits are as funny as ever. When Day gets her ire up, it's really something to behold. But the film is unbelievably anachronistic, especially since this was 1967. No wonder she later turned to TV; this plays like a failed TV pilot, with a supporting cast to match! Directed by genre-mainstay Andrew V. McLaglen, who must have been looking at his watch. *1/2 from ****