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Support Your Local Gunfighter (1971) movie poster

Timeline

Support Your Local Gunfighter (1971) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
1971 · 91 mins · English
JustWatch #6,691 13
Directed by
Burt Kennedy
Starring
Suzanne Pleshette, Pedro Gonzalez Gonzalez, Dub Taylor, Gene Evans, Harry Morgan, Henry Jones

When a clever con artist drifts into a dusty mining town ruled by two rival companies, each side mistakes him for a legendary gunslinger. Eager to tip the balance, both factions compete to hire him, hoping he will drive the opposition out of town, while the swindler decides whether to play along or stay out of the lawless clash.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (14)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like Support Your Local Gunfighter
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Support Your Local Gunfighter (1971)

Where can you watch Support Your Local Gunfighter? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on fuboTV, MGM Plus and Philo: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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14 events in order · contains spoilers

Support Your Local Gunfighter Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Support Your Local Gunfighter (1971) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Latigo flees the train at Purgatory

    Latigo slips away from Goldie's grasp by tipping the headwaiter to help him depart without her noticing. He sneaks off the train at Purgatory, a rough mining town in frontier Colorado. This escape marks the start of his scramble for fortune and freedom from Goldie's hold.

    Where
    Purgatory
  2. Rival mining interests surface

    Latigo soon learns that two mining companies, run by bitter rivals Taylor Barton and Colonel Ames, are locked in a race to locate a legendary mother lode nearby. Dynamite blasts periodically shake the town and threaten to blow it apart. The tense feud hints that fortune—and danger—are both within reach for the right con artist.

    Where
    Purgatory
  3. Tattoo secret revealed

    Latigo visits the town doctor to treat a personal embarrassment, only to have the physician reveal a shocking secret hidden on his chest. The large tattoo of Goldie exposes his attachment to her. The moment underscores his vulnerability and foreshadows the trouble to come.

    Where
    Purgatory (doctor's office)
  4. Roulette meltdown

    Latigo's addiction to roulette erupts as he wagers his way into ruin on his 'lucky' number 23. He loses all his money at the table, leaving him penniless and desperate. The loss pushes him toward new schemes to claw back his fortune.

    Where
    Saloon
  5. Latigo courts Miss Jenny

    With no money to spare, Latigo turns his charm toward Miss Jenny, the saloon keeper, to secure shelter and influence in town. Their budding relationship provides him a new social footing as he navigates local schemes. The romance is tense because his debts loom behind every gesture.

    Where
    Miss Jenny's Saloon
  6. Latigo and Jug impersonation

    Latigo, spurred by the Swifty Morgan misidentification, persuades Jug May to impersonate the infamous gunslinger. They concoct a ruse to gain the town's attention and to complicate the real Swifty's path. The ruse entangles both men in a web of bluff and danger.

    Where
    Purgatory
  7. Patience notices Latigo

    Latigo attracts Patience Barton, 'The Sidewinder', who longs to escape frontier life and attend Miss Hunter's College in New York. Her interest in him complicates the Bartons' feud and sends him deeper into town politics.

    Where
    Barton's residence / town
  8. Ames sends for Swifty

    When Latigo and Jug back the Bartons in the dispute, Colonel Ames dispatches a telegram to Swifty Morgan informing him of the deception. The message accelerates Swifty's planned arrival and the forthcoming showdown.

    Where
    Purgatory
  9. Swifty arrives and the gunfight begins

    Swifty Morgan arrives and immediately challenges Jug to a gunfight. Latigo shows up atop a donkey loaded with dynamite, turning the confrontation into a dangerous spectacle. Swifty underestimates the setup, is startled by the blast, and fires accidentally.

    Where
    Street near the Bartons' saloon
  10. Explosion reveals the mother lode

    The mine blast rocks the town as the donkey bolts toward the Bartons' saloon. The explosion uncovers the mother lode and rips away Latigo's tattoo, leaving him shaken but intact. The upheaval also shifts the balance of power in the town.

    Where
    Bartons' saloon
  11. Latigo wins big at roulette

    Latigo bets $10,000 of the Bartons' money on the number 23 and wins big at the roulette table. The windfall clears his debts and marks a turning point in his fortunes. The victory also cements his reputation as someone who can tilt fate to his favor.

    Where
    Roulette table
  12. Train to Denver and marriage plan

    On the back of a train toward Denver, Latigo and Patience set off to marry, signaling a potential new life together. Jug narrates their fate from the train, hinting at what lies ahead.

    Where
    Train to Denver
  13. Patience's daughters attend Miss Hunter's College

    Patience never goes to Miss Hunter's College herself, but her seven daughters do attend, shaping a more educated future for the family in New York. The education of the girls contrasts with the frontier chaos they've left behind. The family's fortunes continue to hinge on the choices of Latigo and Patience.

    Where
    New York (Miss Hunter's College)
  14. Endgame outcomes for the key players

    Taylor Barton has his life on track: his flat is fixed and he marries Miss Abigail. The Colonel Ames goes broke as the schemes collapse, and Swifty Morgan remains stubbornly attached to his boots, a running joke as the town recalibrates. Jug May goes on to become a big star in Italian Westerns.

Last updated: October 09, 2025 at 11:15

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Timeline questions answered

Support Your Local Gunfighter Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Support Your Local Gunfighter (1971): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why does Latigo leave the train at Purgatory?

Latigo flees the train to escape Goldie, a wealthy woman who wants to marry him. He tips the headwaiter to help him sneak off without her noticing, as he doesn't want to be trapped in a marriage with her.

Foreshadowing: Earlier scenes establish Goldie's persistent pursuit and Latigo's desire to avoid commitment.

  • latigo smith
  • goldie
  • escape
  • purgatory
  • train
Q2

Why is Latigo mistaken for Swifty Morgan?

When Latigo arrives in Purgatory, the townspeople automatically assume he's the legendary gunslinger Swifty Morgan because of his mysterious reputation and the timing of his arrival. Latigo doesn't correct them and uses the misunderstanding to his advantage.

Foreshadowing: The town's fear and reverence for Swifty Morgan sets up the confusion from the start.

  • swifty morgan
  • latigo smith
  • impersonation
  • gunslinger
  • mistaken identity
Q3

Why do both mining companies want to hire Latigo?

Taylor Barton and Colonel Ames, the rival mining company leaders, each want to hire Swifty Morgan (who they believe Latigo to be) to gain the upper hand in their fight over the mother lode. They hope the legendary gunslinger will tip the balance and drive the opposition out of town.

Foreshadowing: The fierce rivalry between the two companies is established early, with both willing to use any advantage.

  • taylor barton
  • colonel ames
  • mining companies
  • mother lode
  • swifty morgan
Q4

Why does Latigo convince Jug May to impersonate Swifty Morgan?

Latigo sees an opportunity to exploit the town's confusion for profit. He persuades Jug May to pose as Swifty Morgan to stir up trouble and create opportunities for his schemes, while Latigo works behind the scenes to benefit from the chaos.

Foreshadowing: Latigo's gambling debts and need for money drive him to increasingly desperate schemes.

  • jug may
  • latigo smith
  • impersonation
  • scheme
  • swifty morgan
Q5

How does the donkey explosion reveal the mother lode?

Latigo arrives on a donkey loaded with dynamite crates during the showdown with Swifty. The donkey bolts into the Bartons' saloon, and the dynamite explodes. The blast not only destroys the building but also uncovers the legendary mother lode that both mining companies have been searching for.

Foreshadowing: The constant dynamite blasts throughout the film hint at the mining danger beneath the town.

  • donkey
  • dynamite
  • explosion
  • mother lode
  • bartons saloon
Q6

Why is Latigo's tattoo of Goldie significant?

Latigo has a large tattoo of Goldie carved on his chest, which he visits the doctor about. The tattoo reveals his conflicted feelings about her, he wants to escape her but remains symbolically tied to her. The explosion unexpectedly removes the tattoo, freeing him from this burden.

Foreshadowing: The tattoo is revealed early in the film and symbolizes his weakness for unlucky romance.

  • latigo
  • tattoo
  • goldie
  • chest
  • tattoo removal
Q7

Why doesn't Patience Barton go to Miss Hunter's College?

Patience Barton dreams of attending Miss Hunter's College in New York to escape frontier life, but her plans don't come to fruition. Instead, she ends up marrying Latigo and boarding a train to Denver. However, her seven daughters later attend the college, fulfilling her dream in the next generation.

Foreshadowing: Patience's desire to leave the frontier is established early as her primary motivation.

  • patience barton
  • miss hunter college
  • daughters
  • new york
  • escape
Q8

Why does Latigo bet on number 23 at roulette?

Number 23 is Latigo's self-proclaimed lucky number, which he uses at the roulette table throughout the film. After losing everything earlier, he bets $10,000 of the Bartons' money on 23 and wins, turning his fortunes around completely.

Foreshadowing: His roulette addiction and the number 23 are introduced when he loses everything at the table.

  • latigo
  • roulette
  • number 23
  • winnings
  • bartons money
Q9

Why does Colonel Ames end up broke?

Colonel Ames loses his financial grip on the town after the explosion and subsequent chaos. His schemes collapse along with his mining operations, and with the mother lode revealed and the power balance shifted, he loses everything.

Foreshadowing: Ames's reliance on underhanded tactics and Swifty Morgan's involvement sets up his downfall.

  • colonel ames
  • broke
  • mining
  • defeat
  • power loss
Q10

What happens to Jug May after leaving Purgatory?

Jug May, who impersonated Swifty Morgan, goes on to become a big star in Italian Westerns. He narrates the outcomes from the train as it heads to Denver, revealing this career change as part of his positive fate.

Foreshadowing: Jug's ambition and willingness to go along with Latigo's schemes hint at his entertainer qualities.

  • jug may
  • italian westerns
  • actor
  • fame
  • career
Q11

Why does Latigo stay in Purgatory instead of leaving?

Latigo initially planned to escape Goldie and move on, but he stays in Purgatory because the confusion around his identity as Swifty Morgan presents lucrative opportunities. The rivalry between the mining companies gives him chances to scheme his way to fortune.

Foreshadowing: His gambling debts and need for money keep him seeking opportunities in town.

  • latigo
  • purgatory
  • stay
  • opportunity
  • schemes
Q12

Why does Swifty Morgan fall for the impersonation?

Swifty Morgan receives Colonel Ames's telegram about someone impersonating him and rushes to Purgatory. However, he underestimates the situation and doesn't expect to face a fake gunslinger. When he confronts Jug May, he's caught off guard by Latigo's donkey/dynamite setup and fires accidentally.

Foreshadowing: Swifty's reputation as a dangerous gunslinger makes him overconfident.

  • swifty morgan
  • jug may
  • gunfight
  • underestimate
  • challenge

Movie threads

More Movies Like Support Your Local Gunfighter, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Support Your Local Gunfighter tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Con Artist Comedies like Support Your Local Gunfighter

Cunning characters who bluff their way to the top through a web of lies. Discover more movies like Support Your Local Gunfighter, where a charming swindler gets caught in a case of mistaken identity. If you enjoyed the witty schemes and chaotic humor of a con man bluffing his way through a town's feud, you'll love these similar comedy stories full of clever deception and playful energy.

  • witty
  • playful
  • mischievous
  • chaotic
  • escapist
  • satirical
  • Tone: light, witty, playful
  • Pacing: fast, chaotic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows a quick-witted protagonist who, through luck or circumstance, is mistaken for someone formidable or skilled. They decide to play along, leveraging the misconception for personal gain, but soon find the deception spiraling beyond their control. The plot is driven by close calls, escalating lies, and the con artist's internal conflict between self-interest and the unexpected bonds they form.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped by their central narrative engine: a charismatic deception. They share a light, witty tone where the stakes are more about reputation and financial gain than life-or-death, creating a playful atmosphere. The pacing is often fast, fueled by a succession of schemes and near-discoveries that keep the energy high and the humor prevalent.

Funny Westerns and Frontier Satire like Support Your Local Gunfighter

Western frontier tales that play with genre tropes for laughs. If you liked the humorous take on Westerns in Support Your Local Gunfighter, explore this collection of comedic frontier stories. Find movies that blend classic Western elements like mining towns and saloon culture with witty satire, physical comedy, and a lighthearted tone, perfect for fans of genre parody.

  • satirical
  • playful
  • witty
  • escapist
  • frontier
  • slapstick
  • Tone: light, satirical, playful
  • Pacing: fast, gag-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread are set in the archetypal Western world but subvert expectations at every turn. Conflicts that would normally be resolved with serious gunfights are handled with clever tricks, misunderstandings, and slapstick. The narratives often involve an ordinary or cowardly protagonist who must outsmart, rather than outshoot, their opponents, celebrating cleverness over brute force.

Why they belong together: These films are united by their genre-bending approach, taking the recognizable iconography of the Western and filtering it through a comedic lens. They share a light tone, medium intensity (where danger feels cartoonish), and a playful mood. The similarity comes from the specific blend of Western setting with satirical humor and a fast, gag-driven pace.

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Every angle

Support Your Local Gunfighter (1971) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

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