The Second Greatest Sex

The Second Greatest Sex

Year: 1955

Runtime: 87 mins

Language: English

Director: George Marshall

WesternComedy

In 1880 Osawkie, Kansas, a bitter rivalry with neighboring Mandaroon over the county seat keeps the town’s men away from home. When husband‑to‑be Matt Davis tries to embark on an adventure on his wedding night, his bride Liza—nicknamed Lysistrata—heeds teacher Cassie’s counsel and leads a marital strike, demanding the men end their folly.

The Second Greatest Sex (1955) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at The Second Greatest Sex (1955) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

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.

Last Updated: December 05, 2025 at 09:30

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Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Feisty Community Comedies like The Second Greatest Sex

Stories where a spirited group bands together to challenge the status quo with humor.If you liked the spirited marital strike in The Second Greatest Sex, you'll enjoy these movies about communities banding together for a cause. This collection features similar lighthearted comedies where a group uses clever, playful rebellion to resolve a conflict, often with a focus on gender dynamics and collective action for a happy, community-focused ending.

community-focusedfeistyupliftingcomicalhopefulstrategicrebellious

Narrative Summary

The narrative typically centers on a unified group that feels unheard or burdened by a frivolous external conflict. They devise a clever, often humorous plan of action—like a strike or boycott—that forces the opposing side to the negotiating table. The story unfolds through a series of comical standoffs and negotiations, building towards a climax where cooperation and understanding triumph over stubborn rivalry.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread are grouped by their shared light tone, community-driven plots, and the specific narrative pattern of a playful, strategic rebellion. They offer a feel-good experience where cleverness and unity overcome petty conflicts, resulting in uplifting and hopeful conclusions.

Quirky Western Comedies like The Second Greatest Sex

Comedies set in small frontier towns where a silly feud drives the plot.Fans of The Second Greatest Sex will enjoy these similar movies that blend the Western genre with comedy. These films feature small towns engaged in playful but stubborn feuds, where the conflict is more humorous than dangerous. They share a steady pace, light emotional weight, and a focus on community dynamics and romantic tension amidst the rivalry.

comicalstubbornquirkyfrontierrivalryromantic tensionhopeful

Narrative Summary

The story is built around a long-standing, somewhat childish feud between two groups—often neighboring towns or families. This rivalry serves as the engine for the plot, creating obstacles for romance and community harmony. The narrative follows the escalation and eventual resolution of this conflict, usually through the intervention of a clever character or a moment of collective realization that the fight is foolish, paving the way for a happy union.

Why These Movies?

These films are connected by their specific setting and core conflict: a lighthearted Western or period comedy centered on a quirky rivalry. They share a steady pacing, medium intensity derived from the feud's tension, and a straightforward plot that prioritizes humor and character interaction over complex drama.

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