The Great Bank Robbery Reviews

Dull western comedy starring Mostel as an evangelist/con-man and Novak as his assistant. They undertake the robbery of the most impregnable bank in the West (Jesse James reportedly keeps his money there), which is located in the town of Friendly. However, other robbers have their eye on the bank, too, including Mexican bandit Tamiroff, his dimwitted son, Storch, gunslinger Akins, and his sidekick Cook. Texas Ranger Walker is also on hand, posing as a laundryman, along with six Chinese-American federal agents, in order to get the goods on crooked mayor Anderson. Of course, all the characters' paths collide and much slapstick comedy ensues. Two songs by Sammy Cahn and James Van Heusen, "The Rainbow Rider" and "Heaven Helps Him Who Helps Himself," don't help.