Circumstances force a tough trail boss (Ford) to take on a former hotel bellboy (Lemmon) as his partner in a trail drive, on condition that Lemmon can go along on the drive. Along the way he finds out that a cowboy's life isn't as glamorous or romantic as he thought it would be, and a whole lot more dangerous besides. This is a vastly entertaining film, mainly because Lemmon and Ford work so well together. Lemmon knew exactly how far to go in showing boyish enthusiasm and excitement without making it seem childish or juvenile, and he stays right on that fine line here. Ford's character is a weary cattleman who's seen and done it all, and knows what Lemmon is in for, tries to tell him and gets annoyed when he won't listen, and the two complement each other perfectly. A top-notch supporting cast helps things immensely, and Delmer Daves' directs smoothly, interspersing drama and humor in just the right amounts. A very, very enjoyable film.
