Pleasant but relatively thin western comedy.

...the film works despite the handicaps. A Big Hand for the Little Lady is a charmer.

On The Poker Wagon! Big Deal at Dodge City (AKA: A Big Hand for the Little Lady) is directed by Fielder Cook and written by Sidney Carroll. It stars Joanne Woodward, Henry Fonda, Paul Ford, Jason Robards, Charles Bickford, Kevin McCarthy, Paul Ford and Burgess Meredith. Music is by David Raksin and cinematography by Lee Garmes. Utterly delightful, though that statement is on proviso you be watching this film for the first time. For this be a comedy - cum - semi drama Western that relies on its finale to reward you for your time spent with such a splendid ensemble of actors. We are in the tin-pot town of Black Creek and there's a high stakes poker game in progress. Wandering into Black Creek are husband and wife Meredith (Fonda) and Mary (Woodward), who with their young son in tow are just stopping by before settling down with some acres to bear life fruition. Only there's a problem, Meredith loves poker and catching wind of such a high stakes poker game thriving in the back of the saloon, he is prepared to bet the family nest egg as the gambling fever takes a hold... Okies, so it really helps if you have a modicum of interest in card playing movies, because 90% of this pic is about the game being played, with director (and producer) Cook keeping things very intimate, close and personal, and sweaty. Yet the various characterisations that unfold during this card game, the foi…

**_Amusing Western focusing on a high-stakes poker game in Laredo, 1896_** This was based on a 1962 television play, and I was wondering how it could maintain one’s interest as a feature film. The ensemble cast is entertaining with Kevin McCarthy standing out as one of the gamblers and only Jason Robards hamming it up a little too much on a couple of occasions. On the feminine front, Joanne Woodward is effective and attractive. I’d say more, but it’s best to view this without knowing too many details. It runs 1h 35m and was shot in the heart of summer 1965 with exteriors done in Flagstaff, Arizona, and interiors done at Warner Brothers Studios in Burbank in Los Angeles County. GRADE: B