Maureen and her Mavericks
In Sweetwater, Wyoming there is trouble brewing as local cattle baron Reece Duncan (Alexander Scourby) is less than happy about the settlers showing up and collecting up the mavericks which he thinks should be his. Duncan is especially not happy about gambler Jim Averell (William Bishop) trying to stir things up especially when he brings in the glamorous Kate (Maureen O'Hara) to not only run his saloon but to become a cattle buyer, buying up any unbranded mavericks which the settlers bring in. As things start to boil over between the sides Kate becomes aware that she is being used and the only person in town who she can turn is Sheriff Stan Blaine (Alex Nicol) except they don't see eye to eye.
Let me tackle the elephant in the room because as a man it is impossible to notice how stunning Maureen O'Hara looks in "The Redhead from Wyoming" in a series of outfits, some over the top, which highlight her curves. Scene after scene it is hard not to stare at her figure hugging outfits which whilst never indecent are always eye catching. Now before I get castigated for being sexist and shallow it is also impossible to ignore what a controlling performance O'Hara delivers, managing to give her feisty character some light and shade to show both her strengths and her weaknesses. But there are so many glamorous, tight and low cut outfits that she would need a whole series of stage coaches to transport her wardrobe.
Anyway once you manage to peel your eyes off of just watching Maureen O'Hara there is in fact a storyline to "The Redhead from Wyoming" with Averell using Kate to move rustled cattle to play various sides off against each other to profit. And whilst this is going on we also have Kate becoming close to Sheriff Blaine despite him being quite cold towards everyone and a drifter.
The good news is that "The Redhead from Wyoming" isn't very long but the longer it goes on the better it becomes. The story starts to take hold and build to a decent climax whilst the rest of the cast manage to take hold of their characters and steal some of the limelight away from O'Hara. Although every time one of the actors makes some sort of impression O'Hara finds a way of grabbing the scene right back.
What this all boils down to is that "The Redhead from Wyoming" is an enjoyable western for those who are either western fans or fans of Maureen O'Hara. It isn't by any stretch of the imagination a great western but it is one you will find remembering for to the figure hugging outfits which Maureen O'Hara wears.
