The Second Greatest Sex (1955) Spoiler-Free Summary – What It's About

In the dusty summer of 1880, three Kansas towns—Osawkie, Jones City and Mandaroon—are locked in a stubborn contest to become the county seat. The rivalry keeps the men racing back and forth, their tempers as dry as the prairie, while the women watch the days stretch thin. The film balances bright, off‑beat humor with a frontier atmosphere, letting the rugged landscape echo the stubbornness of its inhabitants.

At the heart of the story is the soon‑to‑be‑married Matt Davis, a restless young cowboy whose longing for adventure clashes with the expectations of his pending marriage. His bride, Liza McClure, the sheriff’s headstrong daughter, inherits the wit of her namesake from an ancient comedy and becomes the catalyst for change. Alongside them are Birdie Snyder, a fresh‑ly married woman whose voice grows louder as tensions rise, and Cassie Slater, the pragmatic schoolteacher whose counsel steadies the group. Job McClure, the sheriff’s brother, adds a larger‑than‑life presence that underscores the community’s collective spirit.

When the men’s endless quest for the coveted county seat begins to erode domestic life, the women decide to make their own stand. Inspired by the legend of Lysistrata, they organize a peaceful but determined marital strike, retreating to a makeshift fort and refusing to let the men return home until they prove they can balance ambition with responsibility. The tone remains playful yet pointed, as the women’s resolve is matched by the men’s stubborn pride, creating a lively tug‑of‑war between duty and desire.

The film rolls forward with a lively blend of comedy, romance, and frontier drama, inviting the audience to wonder how these rival towns and their determined residents will negotiate power, partnership, and the promise of a shared future—without revealing the paths they ultimately choose.