This strangely titled western follows the adventures of a group of stage actors who participate in a traveling theatrical troupe. It is an unusual subject for a western - one rarely portrayed on screen - and novelty value alone almost makes the film worth a look. The film is, however, never quite as fascinating it sounds. There is a nail- bitingly intense poker game in the mix, and all of the troupe's stage performances are excellent with some surprisingly raunchy costumes courtesy of Edith Head, plus lead actress Sophia Loren playing all the important male (!) stage roles needs to be seen to be believed, however, everything off-stage is less engaging. Loren lacks chemistry with lead actor Anthony Quinn and only has slightly more chemistry with Steve Forrest as a crooked gunslinger who takes to protecting the troupe to get closer to her. The film has a couple of great supporting characters in Margaret O'Brien as an upcoming young actress and Eileen Heckart as her overbearing, over-protective mother; the banter between the pair is always very real and O'Brien's struggle to break out as an actress of her own (asking Quinn whether he finds her attractive at one point) is encapsulating. The film is, however, a Loren vehicle through and through and there is a limit to how far the filmmakers can push her story, unusual subject matter or not. That said, there is enough that it is worthwhile here, but on the same note, it is understandable why director George Cukor was disappointed with the final product. As for what the title means, it is anybody's guess.
Review of Heller in Pink Tights
