The Sheriff of Fractured Jaw

The Sheriff of Fractured Jaw is a Western comedy film released in 1958, directed by Raoul Walsh and starring British actor Kenneth More alongside the American sex symbol Jayne Mansfield, with important contributions from character actor Henry Hull. Set in the Wild West, the film tells the story of Jonathan Tibbs (Kenneth More), a refined and somewhat naïve English gentleman who becomes embroiled in the rough-and-tumble life of the American frontier.

The story begins with Jonathan Tibbs, who hails from a long line of esteemed but now financially troubled arms manufacturers. Hoping to save the family business, Tibbs decides to travel to the United States with an audacious plan to sell firearms to the untamed inhabitants of the American West. Upon his arrival, he finds himself in the lawless town of Fractured Jaw, a place rife with feuds and conflicts, primarily between the local ranchers and the indigenous Native American tribes, as well as internal squabbles between two competing saloon owners.

In an amusing twist of fate, Tibbs inadvertently impresses the townspeople with his display of accidental marksmanship, leading them to believe he is an experienced gunslinger. Seizing the opportunity to bring order to the lawless town, the citizens appoint the unsuspecting Brit as their new sheriff. Jonathan, unaware of the true dangers of his newly acquired position, accepts the role with the dignified zeal of a man who believes he can reconcile his high-minded principles with the demands of frontier justice.

Complications arise when Tibbs crosses paths with the bombastic and beautiful saloon owner Kate (Jayne Mansfield), a sharp-tongued entrepreneur and entertainer who becomes both an ally and an enticing romantic interest for the bewildered Englishman. Her character adds a layer of charm and complexity to the narrative with her combination of wit, humor, and a touch of vulnerability beneath her outward show of confidence.

As Tibbs stumbles through his role as the sheriff, his foreign ways and adherence to British propriety offer a sharp contrast to the rugged and often chaotic lifestyle of the American West. His attempts to navigate cultural misunderstandings and to bring order to the town provide much of the film's comedic backbone. The fact that he stands unbiased outside of the local rivalries enables him to approach the various factions with a sincerity that is as disarming as it is humorous.

Henry Hull's participation adds another layer of character to this ensemble as he plays a seasoned and weathered individual who has seen much and knows the inner workings of Fractured Jaw, offering a voice of experience in a town overrun with inexperience and bluster. His character serves as a bridge between the idealism of Jonathan Tibbs and the undeniable reality of life on the frontier.

The film smartly plays with Western genre tropes, mixing shoot-outs, bar brawls, and horse chases with tongue-in-cheek humor and situations that arise from the intercultural exchanges between the English gentleman and the frontiersmen and women. 'The Sheriff of Fractured Jaw' draws humor from the culture clash and the situations Jonathan finds himself in, making the most of his unfailingly polite and formal demeanor in a setting that requires a quicker draw than a tip of the hat.

Cinematographically, the film blends the sweeping landscapes typical of the Western genre with the colorful and flamboyant set designs associated with the films of that era. The grand vistas underscore both the beauty and the isolation of the setting, while the set pieces convey a sense of both the wildness and the emerging civilization in the town of Fractured Jaw.

The sheriff's journey is not only one of achieving peace but also of self-discovery, as he eventually questions his own values and cultural assumptions. The character arc of Jonathan Tibbs is centered around his adaptation to this rugged new world while maintaining his integrity and fundamental decency. Amidst the laughter, there's an underlying message about the power of diplomacy and mutual understanding, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable differences.

While 'The Sheriff of Fractured Jaw' is very much a product of its time, its ability to satirize both British and American culture, as well as the Western genre itself, provides a universal comedic touchstone that transcends the era in which it was made. The film holds a special place in the Western comedy niche of cinema, providing audiences of its day, and even contemporary viewers with a charming and light-hearted take on a time period often depicted with a great deal more seriousness. It's a film that offers laughter, adventure, romantic comedy, and a touch of satire, creating an entertaining comedic romp through an often romanticized chapter of American history.