Mail Order Bride

In another classic western from the 1964 MGM film set in Montana, Will Lane (Buddy Ebsen) finds himself in search of the son, Lee Carey (Keir Dullea), of his best buddy who had died. Lee, a proud and rowdy boy, needed reining in, some guidance you might say, in helping him get back on the right track. Will had located Lee and convinced him to return with him to his ranch.

 

It's the late 1890's when Will rises early one morning as he did every morning, gets himself out of bed, pulls on his hat and boots, and, leaving the exhausted boy in bed....

 

.....heads to the outhouse in his red, drop seat union suit:

Coming out of the outhouse, an idea dawns on Will...

 

 

So, he turns on his heel and returns to retrieve the catalogue left in the privy: 

 

Hmmmm, this could be the ticket for Lee. 

So, Will hurries back to the ranch house...

 ....where he continues to study the mail order catalogue: 

Lee, having woken up and slipping out, returns from his trip to the outhouse to see Will sitting at the kitchen table in his long underwear, deep in study: 

 

When Will explains to Lee his idea, the rascal is having none of it!

After the boy storms out, the more Will contemplates an order from his catalogue, the more he's convinced this may just be the thing for this boy.... A mail order bride....

 

...mean while, that night, Will tosses and turns... 

 

I believe you'll enjoy this western, directed by Burt Kennedy and procduced by Richard E. Lyons, now streaming free on a variety of platforms. Thanks to MGM and the cast and crew of Mail Order Bride.

And a big shout out to Retro Jeff for reminding me of this great film!