British Comedy Guide
The Sheriff Of Fractured Jaw. Image shows from L to R: Kate (Jayne Mansfield), Jonathan Tibbs (Kenneth More)
The Sheriff Of Fractured Jaw

The Sheriff Of Fractured Jaw

  • 1958 film

Fish out of water comedy in which an English businessman trying to sell his firm's goods finds himself appointed Sheriff of a notorious Wild West town. Stars Kenneth More, Jayne Mansfield, Henry Hull, Bruce Cabot, Ronald Squire and more.

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The Sheriff Of Fractured Jaw. Image shows from L to R: Kate (Jayne Mansfield), Jonathan Tibbs (Kenneth More)

Key details

Genre
Film
Released
1958
Creator
Jacob Hay
Stars
Kenneth More, Jayne Mansfield, Henry Hull, Bruce Cabot, Ronald Squire, William Campbell, Sid James, Reed De Rouen and more
Writer
Arthur Dales
Director
Raoul Walsh
Producer
Daniel M. Angel
Company

It is the mid 19th Century, and family-run gunsmiths Tibbs & Company, est. 1605 of St James's, London, may have a Royal Appointment, but they are nevertheless facing financial ruin.

As the company nears collapse, the head of the wealthy Tibbs family orders his engineer nephew Jonathan to London to take up the reigns. Considering the company's position, Jonathan resolves that the quickest way to return to profitability is to sell more guns - and after perusing his Times, it strikes him that the place most in desire of a gun trade is the American West.

Heading out to the former colony personally, Jonathan soon finds his impeccable English upbringing has not provided him with the requisite knowledge to survive - let alone - trade, in the aptly named Wild West.

However, his naïve misunderstanding of numerous situations seems, inexplicably, to pay off. After talking off an Indian attack on his stagecoach, word soon spreads of his bravery and hard manner. Arriving in the settlement of Fractured Jaw, two notorious gangs each approach him with caution, and the town's weary Mayor imposes upon the newcomer the absent post of Sheriff!

With respected tavern proprietress Kate on his side, and a run of good luck that leaves the local undertaker astonished, Jonathan sets about bringing peace between the white and red skins, and neutralising the threat held over the town by the ruthless gangs.

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Additional details

UK certificate
U
Duration
110 minutes
Distributors

20th Century Fox

Production
Location
Camera set-up
Single camera
Picture
Colour
Soundtrack
Music composed by Robert Farnon, conducted by Muir Mathieson and played by Sinfonia of London. Additional songs composed and written by Harry Harris. Title music sung by Connie Francis.

Website links

Broadcast details

Most recent repeats
  • Monday 14th January 2019 at 2:40pm on Film4
  • Wednesday 5th December 2018 at 2:35pm on Film4
  • Thursday 5th October 2017 at 11:00am on Film4

Recording details

  • Pinewood Studios
  • Spain - Location filming.

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