Strange Lady in Town (1955) User Reviews (14)

Medicine and romance in the old southwest

[bkoganbing · 6/10 · 3 December 2012]

For Greer Garson's first film after leaving MGM she chose a western the only one in her career. Strange Lady In Town casts her as a woman doctor come to settle in Santa Fe, New Mexico territory. Her brother Cameron Mitchell is already there serving in the army. Also there is another doctor played by Dana Andrews who isn't crazy about the new competition. Dana's tomboyish daughter Lois Smith does like the new doctor however and Greer starts teaching Lois some feminine ways.

Garson with a new knowledge of medical advances pretty much shows up Andrews in many ways. But Dana's a bit confused here between jealousy and a little desire. Truth be told he behaves until almost the end of the film like a bit of a lout.

Mitchell however is a real bad one, somebody whom the army failed to discipline. His actions cause a crisis of conscience for Garson even with all the good work she's done.

Greer does look a little lost in the wide open west, but then again her part does call for her to be a fish out of water. Strange Lady In Town which seems to have anticipated Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman is a nice tale and there's a nice little bit performance by Nick Adams as Billy The Kid.

I think western fans and Garson fans will approve.

Garson excels in standard script

[vincentlynch-moonoi · 7/10 · 5 December 2012]

There are few actresses of the caliber of Greer Garson, and it's difficult to believe that she only made a couple of dozen pictures. This was her first after leaving MGM, and it was 5 years before her next film in which she played Eleanor Roosevelt. This was not one of her best films, but she's that rare actor that one almost always marvels at her performance, even when the script is not the best.

That's not to say that this is a bad film. It's pretty decent. Her co-star is Dana Andrews, a fine actor. His role here is not very positive -- he's playing a fellow doctor (Garson, a female doctor) who doesn't believe in female doctors and thinks women belong under a man's thumb. Of course they fall in love, though Andrews' role was over-done...I'd blame the director...and his constant switch between love and anger is rather tedious. Along the way there are a number of sub-plots: Garson's brother is a raffish soldier in love with Andrew's daughter...and eventually he's a bank robber who gets shot. Oh yes, and there's a guest appearance (so to speak) by Billy The Kid (played by Nick Adams).

The daughter of Andrews is played by Lois Smith, who mellowed nicely in her later years, and is pretty decent here, also. Cameron Mitchell plays her romantic interest / solider, and I have little more use for him here than I do in most any other film he appears in. Walter Hampden is good as the old priest. The remaining cast do their jobs, but little more.

Ironically, the film begins on a dusty wagon road into Santa Fe, and although actually filmed in Arizona, the area does look a lot like the land around the Forked Lightning Ranch where Greer Garson eventually lived and retired with her third husband in 1967...on the way to Santa Fe.

This is hardly a classic western, or even a classic Greer Garson film. But it's pretty good. And Garson is as beautiful, and sassy, and that intriguing blend of refined and spicy that made her so alluring.

It's well worth watching, though probably only once.

..And An Uneveness There, Too-Strange Lady in Town **1/2

[edwagreen · 5/10 · 11 December 2012]

Western with Greer Garson is very uneven. She almost has a love-hate relationship with fellow doctor, Dana Andrews. He is miscast here.

She plays the western doctor who left Massachusetts because of the hatred there of men of women becoming doctors. She comes to Sante Fe, New Mexico since her brother Cameron Mitchell is in the army there. He is quite a rogue.

The unevenness of the film can be shown that after a blow-up between the Garson and Andrews' character, in the next scene he has arranged a surprise birthday party for her.

There are so many sub-stories in the film that would have played better-the blind boy whose sight is restored by Garson and the battered young woman; instead, they are merely skirted over.

Terrible casting but a decent little film.

[planktonrules · 6/10 · 4 December 2012]

From the onset, you will probably notice how strange the casting is on this one. After all, of all the actresses to be in a Western, Greer Garson is probably the last you'd expect to see! It gets even weirder when you see she's playing a lady who was born in Boston, as her accent is as much Boston as Brigitte Bardot's! Why didn't they just say she was from England...now THAT would have made sense! And, to make it worse, her brother in the film is played by Cameron Mitchell--who is NOTHING like Greer...NOTHING.

The film is set in Santa Fe during the late 19th century. It begins with a plucky female doctor (Garson) arriving there not only to see her no-good brother but also to live there. However, there already is one doctor in town (Dana Andrews) and he's a sexist who insists that women aren't cut out for 'man's work'. Not surprisingly, the pair eventually fall in love. However, it's the stuff in the middle that makes the film interesting...but I'll let you see that for yourself.

"Strange Lady in Town" is a great example of a decent film despite insane casting decisions. While the film is far from a classic (as it's awfully predictable in some ways), it never was dull and is worth seeing. Plus, while miscast, Garson tried her best and Andrews was, as always, excellent.

By the way, the film shows an insane cliché. When a guy is getting a tooth pulled, his 'friend' bashes him on the head with his gun butt to knock him out!! Kid's DON'T try this at home...all you'll really achieve is brain damage!

Main reasons to watch it

[tqwilcox · 20 November 2013]

First off it's Garson's last film. And secondly it features a very distinct difference in acting styles. Garson displays her grand style in use of language and presentation as if she were back on the stage. Andrews displays the man from "The Best Years of Our Lives" years on who opted to not so much act as be present. And then there's the new kid, Lois Smith. Her very contemporary (for 1955) Brandoesque inhabiting of "Spurs" puts all of this together in the strangest way imaginable. I think SHE was the "Strange Lady in Town" or at least this movie.

There is also the reality of how women Hollywood films seem to be retired once the aging process makes them too old for leading ladies. Garson isn't the best representative for this argument because her acting style was of another era. But she should have been able to continue on were she not so much a star. That comes through here loud and clear.

Enjoyable Western in soaper style with romance , drama and spectacular exteriors

[ma-cortes · 6/10 · 15 November 2022]

Set in 1880s , old Santa Fe , New Mexico, a young female doctor from Boston arrives in Santa Fe to establish her new medical practice , but she's involved into a lot of troubles . Dr. Julia Garth (Greer Garson) uses of diplomacy and trustworthy and she is set to live with her brother, U. S. Cavalry lieutenant David Garth (Cameron Mitchell) . But the town already has a male physician, Dr. Rourke O'Brien Dana Andrews) and problems emerge . His tomboy niece , Spurs O'Brien (Lois Smith who nowadays goes on playing) , has a teenage crush on the handsome Cavalry lieutenant David Garth, Julia's brother. The first hospital of this community is managed by friendly Catholic priest Father Gabriel Mendoza (Walter Hampden) and a few nuns. Conflicts arise when her medicine knwledges are opposite to traditional doctor Rourke . As Julia brings peace and harmony to the local society , the poor Mexican people and Indian community . Later on , Julia is perplexed by his brother who turns a criminal life , becoming an outlaw and resulting in fateful consequences. She was the one woman Rork didn't want in Santa Fe ... but he'd kill anybody who'd try to make her leave ...!

A soap-opera Western stars a brave female doctor who uses the power of medic science and her raw courage to vanquish difficulties . Acceptable picture allegedly based on actual events , the film has agreeable messages dealing with an obstinate physician who fights for the rights of the Mexicans and other unfortunate people and based on mutual respect for independence of the Woman rather than submission to Man , as well as demonstrations of modern medical science . As our starring brings to the West the latest medical theories , equipment as well as innovations and opposed by an established doctor . Main and support cast are frankly good . Greer Garson gives an attractive acting by playing a female doctor who plans to introduce modern techniques of medicine , while Dana Andrews is nice as the serious widower doctor who eventually falls for her and Lois Smith as his rebel daughter . Along with a stunning support cast , such as : Cameron Mitchell, Walter Hampden , Pedro Gonzalez Gonzalez , Joan Camden , José Torvay, Frank DeKova , ordinary nasty Robert J. Wilke, Russell Johnson , Gregory Walcott , Douglas Kennedy , Paul Birch and brief apperances of two historical characters : New Mexico Governor Lewis Wallace who wrote ¨Ben Hur¨ -well performed by Ralph Moody- and pardoned Billy The Kid played by early deceased Nick Adams.

It contains a colorful and gorgeous cinematography in CinemaScope and Technicolor by Harold Rosson and Robert Surtees , shot on location in Ironwood Forest National Monument, Arizona, Tucson Mountains , Sonoran Desert, Arizona, Sierrita Mountains, Arizona . This Grand scale Western was professionally directed by Mervyn Leroy , though it was unsuccessful . Mervyn was a Hollywood craftsman who earlier made the classic mobster movie : ¨Little Caesar¨ with Edward G. Robinson and furthermore , he produced and partly directed, without credit the studio's classic Wizard of Oz (1939) . He was a typical Hollywood filmmaker who directed a lot of lavish and usually successful movies, such as : Gold Diggers 1933 , I am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang , Waterloo Bridge , Anthony Adverse , Devil at 4 O'Clock , Gypsy , Million Dollar Mermaid, Without Reservations , Little Women that won Academy Award : Oscar 1949 Art Direction/Set Decoration, Thirty seconds over Tokyo and his big hit : Quo Vadis . The picture will appeal to Greer Garson fans and Western aficionados .

The glory of Greer makes this watchable

[mbhur · 6/10 · 16 September 2020]

Greer Garson was 51 when she made this movie, and still beautiful. I say "still" because in Hollywood in that era 40 was considered over-the-hill for a leading lady, so kudos to the studio for having her play the lead, and not someone's aunt or spinster older sister. Unfortunately, this movie doesn't have a lot going for it outside of Greer's considerable charm and acting ability. I'm a fan of Dana Andrews, but as others have noted, his acting style does not compliment Greer's, and his character is such a mean-spirited misogynistic jerk that it's hard not to intensely dislike him. Of course we know we're being set up for the ultimate romantic happy ending, but that's another issue with this movie. Everything is predictable.

Maybe the most interesting aspect of "Strange Lady in Town" is the chance to see a young Lois Smith in a major role. She went on to a very long, distinguished career as a character actress in movies and TV. (literally now in her 7th decade). Her 'Spurs' in "Strange Lady" is a little bit out there, but that's been true of many of her roles over the years. I recently saw her as an emotionally disturbed psychic on an episode of "Route 66" from the early '60s. She was a favorite of that show's producers, and made several appearances.

Decided worthy of viewing (for me), but not taping

[trancelucence · 7/10 · 21 September 2020]

I watched this on TCM first, didn't think it good enough to keep, though there were parts I really liked. I'm a big fan of both Garson and Andrews- I thought Garson's character well-acted and inspirational (strong, principled, etc.), while Andrews' was bizarre and his character development made little sense. He acted like a nutcase. This had partly to do with the writing, of course. That said, there were lofty, and quite profound, ahead-of-their-time ideas expressed (like "enabling"), one reason I think it worth watching. Also, I found the character development of supplemental characters (Garson's brother and Andrews' daughter) intriguing and integral to the plot. The main critique I have is of Andrews' whacko behavior and a failure to show how he went from point A to point B. The way Latinos were depicted was also cringe-worthy. But I never found the film boring, and I liked the ending.

So-So

[funkyfry · 5/10 · 4 November 2002]

Somewhat noneventful tale of a woman doctor in 1880s Santa Fe. She tames local doc Andrews, but her brother (Mitchell) turns out to be a bad seed. The best thing about this film is Lois Smith's gamine performance as Andrews' daughter -- very cute and pretty nice performance.

Tepid..telling of familiar story..all too well.

[Xjayhawker · 4/10 · 25 March 2013]

Low marks for too many reasons.. Mis-casting all around..plodding and talky at times..with unbelievable dialogue from top to bottom..how a person (in this case a woman doctor) can move from Boston to Santa Fe,New Mexico and expect things to be socially the same as in Boston is beyond belief and not try to adapt to her surroundings or new customs..Dana Andrews and Greer Garson sparring continuously and he supposedly falling for her enough to propose marriage..-and still be squabbling beyond the proposal..Dane Clark as a third-rate Cavalry officer (Greer's brother) very fancy clothes to wear in the southwest..but this was Hollywood..and this was not well done..some will say this was a good performance or this was a unique story.. I wish this was the case..but a poorly written script cannot coax a superb performance from A list stars..it just sounds contrived and in itself, the story-telling is dis-jointed and badly directed..regardless of what you may want to believe..this movie is contrived and not worthy of a viewing..unless you feel sorry for the cast..

I liked it.

[broos-1 · 8/10 · 29 September 2005]

While not a classic, a truly enjoyable film with a favorite star of mine, Greer Garson. Dana Andrews is also a fine actor and plays his part with convincing sincerity. Mitchell is also a fine actor but does seem to be acting, more so than Greer Garson or Dana Andrews. The Billy the Kid segment is a bit over the top, but OK. The young lady is GREAT!Wish I had been able to see more of her. The theme song is a fine one. Frankie Lane never acquired the acclaim he should have had, either. However, it was evidently a forgettable tune, but one I know by heart. Dana Andrews is a doctor, soured on life since the death of his wife. He is raising a daughter, while being the only M.D. in a small village, in the old west. Into town drives Greer Garson. A brilliant woman who has studied medicine in Europe and has several new techniques to try to update the staid, older doctor. Sparks fly and so do the tempers.

no heat

[SnoopyStyle · 5/10 · 17 September 2020]

It's 1880 Santa Fe, New Mexico. Dr. Julia Winslow Garth newly arrives in town from back east. She's an oddity. She's a woman AND a doctor.

The most interesting actor for me is Lois Smith who plays Spurs O'Brien. I've only known her as an old woman. It's weird to see her as a fetching twenty something. It would have been interesting to see a buggy crash after a buggy chase. This western romance struggles to be interesting. There is no heat in the lead romance which generates no tension. Greer Garson starts off interesting but only for being a doctor. Dana Andrews is doing nothing after screaming for his buggy. The two of them really face no real hurdle. There is more energy in Spurs' crush. At least, that has a bit of drama. At two hours, this simply drags on too long with no intensity.

Terrible film despite Garson, Andrews

[tkech · 1/10 · 29 September 2016]

This movie is truly awful. The dialogue and events are plodding clichés. I will watch just about anything - I am not picky. But I've seen better stories written by 14-year- olds.

Even Harlequin Romance would not have bought this dreck on their worst day. Great actors Garson and Andrews were given nothing to work with here. There was no logic for Andrews random cliché barking love/hate attitudes towards the entirely passive female played by Garson. We kept expecting the "forced kiss to put her in her place" trope.

We kept watching in hopes the movie would get better.

It didn't.

EDIT: I also kept watching expecting to see a closeup of my beloved Garson's face. They never did one. Not ONE. That's when I realized she must have been deemed "old" in Hollywood's eyes. :-(

Good Lady In Town

[Richie-67-485852 · 8/10 · 24 August 2017]

First off, someone took the easy way out on the naming the title of this movie. They must have left it for last or someone in corporate said hey call it strange lady in town. What? Okay, let's move on. Dana Andrews plays his part as does Greer and what's not to like in a Western. The West of the 1880's was full of never ending stories all from different perspectives and here is one of them. Lady doctor and a man doctor in one small town? Add some horses, festivals, gun-play, good and bad guys, love interests, poor Mexican village, a padre and little ranches and we giddiyup! I will say that the story could have been more developed but the point is that they got together and knocked this out. It entertains and I recommend a sandwich with a tasty drink while watching with a snack on standby. Mount-up and let's ride!