This is one of these weird movies you just need to watch and ignore that you really can't believe anything you see. After all, the film, when you think about it, makes very little sense. But, it is quite unusual and entertaining--something not often seen in this genre. So, overall, it's worth seeing.

The film begins in Chicago. A mild-mannered guy (Jack Lemmon) is working at a hotel when a group of rough cowboys checks in to the place. Despite being VERY different from these rough guys, Lemmon begs the cowboy's boss (Glenn Ford) to take him on the cattle drive. This is because Lemmon is infatuated with a girl and if he travels with the cattle drive, he can see the lady on the way. Reluctantly, Ford agrees and it's soon very obvious that this city boy is way out of his element. Ford is tough and uncaring--and Lemmon is appalled by this lack of humanity. However, through the course of the film, Ford relaxes a bit and learns from Lemmon and Lemmon becomes a nasty guy--much like Ford. This conversion really was VERY tough to believe, but the plot was different.

I think Lemmon was wrong for the part. While you could believe him as a city boy, seeing him as a rough and tumble cowboy later in the film never convinced me--and was pretty funny. This change was formula--but not believable. Still, as I said above, the film was different--and I love a western that is not just another carbon copy of the last.

By the way, although in a MUCH smaller role, it also seemed silly to have Dick York (the first Darren from "Bewitched") playing one of the cowboys! This, too, didn't work.

After literally thousands of pictures from the beginning of the genre in the silent era, someone actually had the clever idea of naming a Western simply "Cowboy". When I first read the synopsis of the story for the Encore Western Channel, I didn't think it would hold up very well with the casting of Jack Lemmon as a wanna be saddle tramp. I was thinking along the lines of say, "City Slickers", but you know what, this didn't turn out to be too bad. Lemmon's character Frank Harris actually toughs it out to become part of Glenn Ford's cattle drive to Mexico, even if his ulterior motive was to track down the pretty Mexican senorita he had fallen in love with as a hotel clerk back in Chicago. In fact, he goes all the way over the top to become an even tougher cowhand than his boss Tom Reese (Ford),probably not a real life expectation, but one that works in developing the characters for the film. By the time it's over, Harris may not have won back his girl, but comes to realize he's discovered a larger part of himself.

I had a little trouble though reconciling the actions of trail boss Reese following the Strother Martin snake bite incident. I don't think that's how Eric Fleming might have handled the situation on "Rawhide". You would think Reese would have held a more practical approach to disciplining Richard Jaeckel's Curtis, like maybe offering him the business end of his firearm. And holy cow!!!, what was with that Mexican village rooster roundup! I have NEVER seen anything like that in any kind of picture. Probably one of the more insidious treatments of animals to arouse the PETA folks in their crusade against animal cruelty in film.

Say, how quickly does a broken arm mend anyway? It seems to me that when trail hand Charlie (Dick York) rejoined the herd after the off screen altercation with the Mexicans, he returned with a broken left arm, but in only a day or two it seems like he's good as new! Must have been the clean fresh air!

Anyway, those few quibbles aside, the film plays it pretty straight as a gritty Western adventure. Even Lemmon's one scene that was probably meant to be comedic aboard the bucking bronco through camp played out fairly seriously. Say, did you consider how Harris ever became such a good shot with a pistol? You know, the hotel should really do something about those cockroaches.

Formidable Western full of action , ironic touches , fascinating drama , Mexican fiesta , cattle round-up , romantic episodes and fabulous performances . Fine and classic Western by Delmer Daves with a magnificent Jack Lemmon and a restrained Glenn Ford . It's a wonderful adventure film format "western" itinerant, full of amusing events , danger and life lessons . In the 1870s a Chicago hotel clerk named Frank Harris (a notoriously mendacious Jack Lemmon in his usual role ) dreams of life as a cowboy , and the tenderfoot gets his opportunity when , jilted by the dad of the girl (Anna Kashfi) he wishes , he unites forces with Tom Reece (Glenn Ford) and his cattle-driving team (Dick York , Richard Jaeckel and Brian Donlevy) . Soon after, though, the ex-clerk finds out existence on the range is neither what he expected nor what he's been wishing . The brave clerk agrees to covenant with Tom a 2.000 mile cattle drive from Chicago until arrive their destination in the Rio Grande , overcoming several risks , avoiding Indian attacks , cattle stampede and several other things .

This first-rate Western draws its riveting tale and power from the interaction of finely drawn roles as well as adventure and action . Good adult Western with exciting battle of wits between an obstinate clerk and an expert cowboy . Interesting and likable screenplay based on own reminiscences by novelist Frank Harris and well adapted by the notorious Edmund H. North and the black-listed Dalton Trumbo . Delmer Daves does a good work , an energetic and exciting movie , pitting two antagonist characters against the rugged toughness forced a vast natural environment throughout the trail . Highlight the exemplary value of the landscape as essential dramatic figure, and the narrative takes a brisk pace but not fast, a dash dense but not cumbersome. Glenn Ford as stern boss does an excellent interpretation along with a great cast that appears beautiful Anna Kashfi and other nice secondaries as Dick York , Richard Jaeckel and special appearance by veteran Brian Donlevy. Striking cinematography by Charles Lawton Jr who reflects masterfully the spectacular outdoors . Atmospheric and stirring musical score by George Duning , well conducted by habitual Morris Stoloff . The motion picture is well directed by Delmer Daves - including his characteristic use of landscape- , a Western expert as proved in ¨The hanging tree¨ , ¨3:10 to Yuma¨, ¨The last wagon¨, Jubal , ¨Drum beat¨, ¨Return of the Texan¨, and the notorious ¨Broken arrow¨ . And of course ¨Cowboy¨ that turns out to be stylish, fast paced , solid, meticulous and with enjoyable look . This well acted movie is gripping every step of the way . An unjustly forgotten film results to be a good western and remains consistently agreeable . Rating : Above average , worthwhile watching .