Son of Paleface

Son of Paleface

Year: 1952

Runtime: 95 mins

Language: English

Director: Frank Tashlin

WesternComedy

Peter Potter Jr. returns to claim his father’s gold, which is nowhere to be found.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Son of Paleface (1952)

Trace every key event in Son of Paleface (1952) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Harvard graduate arrives in Sawbuck Pass

Peter 'Junior' Potter graduates from Harvard and heads west to Sawbuck Pass to claim his father's fortune. He arrives driving a jalopy, wearing a comical striped suit jacket, and splashes mud over a crowd of townspeople. The crowd's reaction foreshadows the trouble awaiting him as he discovers the town's expectations don't match the reality of his father's riches.

After graduation Sawbuck Pass
2

Debts claimed by townsfolk

Junior learns that practically everyone in town claims to be owed money by his father. The rumors create a chorus of hungry creditors and suspicious locals who doubt his wealth. The scene underscores that the fortune is a social rather than a material jackpot.

Upon arrival Sawbuck Pass
3

Treasure chest is empty

He discovers his father's treasure chest is empty. The realization shatters the illusion of instant wealth and intensifies his need to find the hidden gold. Every claim of debt now feels like a trap designed to string him along.

Immediately after arrival Sawbuck Pass
4

Eb hints at hidden treasure

An old-timer named Eb convinces him that the gold does exist, but is hidden somewhere. Eb offers cryptic hints and a flicker of hope that keeps Junior moving. The promise of hidden treasure becomes the backbone of his quest.

Early in the story Sawbuck Pass (Saloon area)
5

Saloon meeting with Roy and Mike

In the saloon, Junior meets Roy, a singing cowboy, and Mike, the alluring saloon performer. Roy and Mike bond with him as they sing and joke, while Junior brags about Harvard. The uneasy dynamic hints at danger lurking behind the friendly faces.

In the saloon Sawbuck Pass, Saloon
6

Torch raid after drugging

Mike drugs Junior while he sleeps and assumes her alter ego, the Torch. Under the Torch, she leads her gang in a nighttime raid while Junior provides a perfect alibi. The caper marks a turning point as trust fractures and danger closes in.

Night Sawbuck Pass (Saloon/Streets)
7

Car sabotaged; cart wheels escape

The townsfolk sabotage Junior's car, forcing him to improvise. He outfits the vehicle with cart wheels and escapes across the desert, with two vultures hitching a ride. The surreal escape sets the stage for a wild chase toward Sterling City.

After the raid Sawbuck Pass to Desert
8

Sterling City; Eb murdered

Junior arrives at the ghost town Sterling City and discovers Eb dead in a barber's chair. Roy arrives soon after, accusing him of murder and turning him into a hunted man. The tension escalates as they race toward answers and escape.

After desert journey Sterling City
9

Disguise as Roy; Roy is agent

To flee, Junior disguises himself as Roy and tries to escape on Trigger. Roy is revealed to be a government agent with a hidden Smith & Wesson Revolving Rifle in his guitar case. The deception deepens the plot as loyalties blur and danger intensifies.

Just after disguise Sterling City
10

Indians attack; Paleface ghost

The town is attacked by Indians, and Junior initially avoids the fight while Roy battles the attackers alone. Paleface's ghost appears to reassure him that Hell is fine, emboldening him to act. He grabs a gun and fires from the barber chair, triggering a chaotic spray of bullets.

During the attack Sterling City
11

Gold pours from moose head

A shot from the spinning barber chair hits a moose head, and Junior's father's gold begins to pour out. Mike arrives to help in the fight, tipping the balance in their favor. The surreal image of treasure spilling out underscores the true payoff of the quest.

During the fight Sterling City
12

Escape with Mike on improvised car

Mike and Junior escape on his improvised car, fleeing the chaos behind them. They redouble their effort to reach safety as Roy's pursuit closes in. Their alliance strengthens as they drive toward an uncertain frontier.

After the fight Sterling City / Desert
13

Mine showdown; victory

Roy fights the gang in their hideout in an abandoned mine. With an accidental helping hand from Junior, they prevail and neutralize the threat. The mine battle seals the alliance between the fugitives and the lawmen.

After escape Abandoned mine
14

Prison finale

Junior waits for Mike when she comes out of prison, joined by four Junior Juniors. They say goodbye to Roy as Trigger rears silhouetted against the sunset. The film closes on a triumphant frontier image, bound to the uneven path of freedom.

Sunset Prison / outskirts of town

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 11:19

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Son of Paleface Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Son of Paleface

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