Jesse W. Haywood (Don Knotts) graduates from dental school in Philadelphia in 1870 and goes west "to fight oral ignorance." Meanwhile stagecoach robber Penelope "Bad Penny" Cushing (Barbara Rhoades) is offered a pardon if she will track down a ring of gun smugglers.

Don Knotts fans will enjoy this one, as it fits right in line with his regular comedy style (more like "Andy Griffith" or "Frame a Figg" and less like "Private Eyes"). There is plenty of physical comedy, especially early on, and if you like a bit of slapstick, this is for you.

By today's standards, the film may be considered questionable because of its portrayal of Native Americans. I am not one to be politically correct, but did find the scenes with them to be rather dated. Not offensive, but not really positive either. But I will not dwell on this.

Definitely one of Knotts' better films, and a good deal funnier than "Mr. Limpet".

I remember when "The Shakiest Gun In The West" was released, and as a kid, I took Don Knotts for granted, because he was on every day on reruns of "The Andy Griffith Show." I'll admit that I was not a fan of his.

That said, this was an enjoyable outing. While I understand this was a remake of a Bob Hope Western comedy, what stuck out for me was how this played, in part, like a late-1960s episode of "Wagon Train," especially with Terry Wilson and Frank McGrath present. In fact, this was the final appearance of Mr. McGrath, who died 18 months or so before the film's release. Mr. McGrath's passing was a real loss, as he added something very special.

And then there was Barbara Rhoades! I first saw her in "Harry and Tonto" (1974),and her presence adds something special. As for Don Knotts, I do understand his presence and his appeal for many. While it is not so easy for me to connect, I will put the blame on myself for that one, because Mr. Knotts is good at what he did! Anyway, it is well worth a watch!

This story by Edmund Hartman and Frank Tashlin has certainly got an endearing quality because two comics managed to get hit movies from it. The Shakiest Gun In The West is a reworking of the Bob Hope-Jane Russell classic, The Paleface. Into Hope's shoes steps Don Knotts trembling all the way to the bank.

Knotts takes his Barney Fife character and has him graduate Philadelphia Dental College and decide to take Horace Greeley's advice and go west to seek fame and fortune.

Like Hope he gets himself tangled up with a lady bandit played by the curvaceous Barbara Rhoades. Barbara might not have the development of Jane Russell, but there are few who do. Anyway she's been promised a pardon if she'll find out who's selling guns and whiskey to the Indians.

And to get west she needs a schnook and when Bob Hope's not around, Don Knotts will certainly do. But Knotts certainly has an endearing quality to him as she finds out.

Some western veterans like Don Barry, Terry Wilson, Dub Taylor are all in this cast. This film was the farewell performance of Frank McGrath, best known as one of Hollywood's premier stunt men who turned actor and played Charlie Wooster on Wagon Train. Jackie Coogan is in this one too, playing a church deacon.

Some of the gags from The Paleface are repeated here and some might say get better with age.

Definitely a film for Barney Fife fans the world over.