A family film to be sure, Hot Lead and Cold Feet provides antics to please the children and bemuse the adults. It makes attempts at being a western but is overridden by its slapstick comedy and wholesome family values.

The film focuses on a contest rigged by Jasper Bloodsky (Jim Dale), founder of the small western town of Bloodsky, to his twin sons Wild Billy and Eli (both also played by Jim Dale). The problem? Eli is a Bible-thumping preacher from the East and Wild Billy is the region's most feared outlaw.

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Despite Billy's best attempts to rig the race in his favor, Eli always manages to overcome the obstacles (such as a canoe with holes drilled in it) to be only one step behind Billy. As the race continues, the two orphans that Eli brought with him, discover that Mayor Ragsdale (Darren McGavin) plans on killing both brothers and keeping the money for himself.

So the kids - along with their pretty school teacher - go on the rescue. After many humorous mishaps they find the brothers and tell them what's going to happen to them. Several hours later, Wild Billy rides into town the victor, just as the mayor is taking off with the money. They catch the mayor, and Billy agrees to share the money with Eli; and they set forth to change the wild town into a respectable community.



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And - as in all good Disney films - they lived happily ever after.

It should be noted that the truly outstanding performance of Don Knotts as the sheriff made the movie. His nervous mannerisms and cocky style bring back memories of him as Barney on The Andy Griffith Show. Perhaps the best scenes in this film are the shoot-outs between the sheriff and his one-eyed nemesis Rattlesnake (Jack Elam). Something always happens on the count of three to prevent them from shooting each other.

If you are worried about the violence of today's films, pick up a copy of Hot Lead and Cold Feet, sit down with the kids and rest assured knowing the harshest language you'll hear will be `gosh darnit.' This is truly the wholesome family entertainment Disney is known for.