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AZLaura
Reviews
The Gentleman from Arizona (1939)
Classic old horse opera
My next door neighbor was a producer on this film, and he screened it for my family in his wonderful old west screening room at his estate when I was a kid. A better than average B-movie of the era, The Gentleman from Arizona was shot in great color, with an engaging cast and historic locations. Some of the scenes were filmed in the Arizona Biltmore area when there was a fancy riding stable there. I think the stables were torn down in the early 1970's.
Charlie Goetz, our neighbor, explained that they had of course wanted Shirley Temple to play the role of the little girl, but she was unavailable. Ruthie Reese stepped up, singing, dancing and meddling her little heart out.
The requisite cowboy/rancher's daughter romance, sneering bad guy and exciting horse race make this a fun picture. Lots of music and pretty scenery add in to make it a charming time capsule of early Arizona film making.