---
title: "The Shakiest Gun in the West"
year: 1968
canonical_url: "https://www.archytele.com/show/the-shakiest-gun-in-the-west-1968"
media_type: "movie"
tmdb_id: 20238
imdb_id: null
status: "Unknown"
community_rating: 6.2
vote_count: 0
content_rating: "Unrated"
---

# The Shakiest Gun in the West (1968) — Television & Cinema Intelligence Dossier

> **Archytele Living Vault Canonical Record**: https://www.archytele.com/show/the-shakiest-gun-in-the-west-1968

## Executive Summary & Cultural Positioning

The Shakiest Gun in the West is a 1968 comedy and family western directed by Alan Rafkin, written by Jim Fritzell and Everett Greenbaum, and starring Don Knotts and Barbara Rhoades. Released in the United States on July 10, 1968, the film serves as a remake of the 1948 movie The Paleface, which originally starred Bob Hope and Jane Russell.

The story follows Jesse W. Haywood, a newly graduated dental student from Philadelphia who travels west in 1870 to practice dentistry, only to become entangled with a gun-smuggling ring and a sham marriage orchestrated by Penelope Cushing. Tone-wise, the film blends traditional western tropes with lighthearted comedy, centered around Knotts' signature comedic style as he inadvertently earns a fearsome reputation.

## The Hook & The Verdict

**The Hook**: "A timid Philadelphia dental graduate ventures west in 1870 and accidentally becomes a legendary gunfighter."

### Why Watch
- Don Knotts stars as frontier dentist Jesse W. Haywood.
- Barbara Rhoades plays Penelope Bad Penny Cushing, who tricks Haywood into a sham marriage.
- The plot features gun smugglers and an accidental showdown with Arnold the Kid.

### Caveats & Content Note
- Viewers seeking a modern or faithful remake may find it dated since it is a remake of the 1948 film The Paleface.
- Tone & Suitability: The film is a comedy and family western with a runtime of 1 hour and 41 minutes.

**Micro-Themes & Vibe Matrix**: #frontier-comedy, #sham-marriage, #gun-smugglers, #accidental-hero, #dental-graduate

## Streaming Availability Matrix

Direct streaming licensing updates dynamically. Consult the live tracking interface at https://www.archytele.com/show/the-shakiest-gun-in-the-west-1968#watch.

## Canonical Frequently Asked Questions

### Q: Where to stream The Shakiest Gun in the West (1968)?
Streaming availability can be checked on platforms like The Movie Database under the Watch Now section.

### Q: Is The Shakiest Gun in the West worth watching?
It holds mixed user ratings around fifty-nine to sixty-eight percent on various database sites, making it a nostalgic choice for fans of Don Knotts.

### Q: What is the runtime of the film?
The film has a runtime of 1 hour and 41 minutes.

### Q: Is this film a remake?
Yes, it is a remake of the 1948 film The Paleface, which starred Bob Hope and Jane Russell.

## Grounded Source Citations

- [The Shakiest Gun in the West — The Movie Database (TMDB)](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/20238)
- [The Shakiest Gun in the West - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Shakiest_Gun_in_the_West)
- [The Shakiest Gun in the West (1968) | ČSFD.cz](https://www.csfd.cz/film/33542-the-shakiest-gun-in-the-west/prehled/)
- [Shakiest Gun in the West, The 59% [The Shakiest Gun in the…](https://www.kinobox.cz/film/236935-shakiest-gun-in-the-west-the)

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*Generated by Archytele Open Intelligence Systems. Data verified against TMDB and JustWatch APIs.*