The Paleface (1948): Cast & Plot
The Paleface is a 1948 comedy western directed by Norman Z. McLeod, starring Bob Hope as 'Painless' Peter Potter, Jane Russell and Charles Trowbridge. It runs 1 hour 31 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 31m (91 min)
- Director
- Norman Z. McLeod
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Paramount Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Paleface About?
The premise of The Paleface without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Bob Hope headlines a raucously funny western spoof as the timid frontier dentist “Painless” Peter Potter, while Jane Russell plays a sultry version of Calamity Jane. When danger looms, Potter is forced to trade his drill for a gun, teaming with the daring Calamity to battle outlaws and Indians in a series of slap‑stick comedic set pieces.
The Paleface Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- marriage
- classical western
- american indian
- dentist
- street shootout
- gunfight
- dynamite
- covered wagon
- accidental hero
- comedy of errors
- misunderstanding
- punched in the face
+38 more Show fewer
- horse and wagon
- runaway wagon
- husband wife relationship
- held at gunpoint
- manual
- laughing gas
- gold tooth
- toothache
- dentist chair
- jealousy
- jealous boyfriend
- boyfriend girlfriend relationship
- gunslinger
- gun duel
- tied to a tree
- hotel room
- stagecoach
- native american chief
- outcast
- face paint
- jail
- rain
- lawyer
- shot in the back
- dead body
- note
- burning a note
- gun shot out of hand
- saloon girl
- secret mission
- gunrunner
- singing
- lost
- gun running
- concertina
- saloon singer
- pistol
- pistol whipped
The Paleface Cast & Characters
Bob Hope leads the cast as 'Painless' Peter Potter, with Jane Russell as Calamity Jane and Charles Trowbridge as Gov. Johnson. Directed by Norman Z. McLeod; 27 actors are credited in all.
- Director Norman Z. McLeod
-
Bob Hope as 'Painless' Peter Potter -
Jane Russell as Calamity Jane - Charles Trowbridge as Gov. Johnson
- Stanley Andrews as Commissioner Emerson
Also Starring in The Paleface
· 23 more- Jackie Searl Jasper Martin
- Joseph Vitale Indian Scout
- Rolando Barrera Indian (uncredited)
- Clem Bevans Hank Billings
- Jeff York Big Joe
- Olin Howland Jonathan Sloane, undertaker
- Henry Brandon Wapato (medicine man)
- Chief Yowlachie Chief Yellow Feather
- George Chandler Patient #1
- Bert Stevens Dealer
- Frank Hagney Greg
- Tom Kennedy Bartender
- Nestor Paiva Patient #2
- Francis McDonald Lance (as Francis J. McDonald)
- Iris Adrian Pepper
- Robert Armstrong Terris
Show all 27 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Iron Eyes Cody Chief Iron Eyes
- Russell Custer Townsman (uncredited)
- John Maxwell Village gossip
- Bobby Watson Toby Preston
- Wade Crosby Jeb
- Skelton Knaggs Pete
- Ethel Bryant
More from Norman Z. McLeod
More films directed by Norman Z. McLeod, best-rated first: Horse Feathers, Monkey Business, Alice in Wonderland and Alias Jesse James.
The Paleface Plot Summary
What happens in The Paleface from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Calamity Jane is unexpectedly released from a sheriff’s jail when two government agents, under the guidance of Governor Johnson and Commissioner Emerson, enlist her help to expose a gun-running operation near Buffalo Flats. They believe using a legendary frontier gunslinger and a bold woman will give them the leverage they need, and, in exchange, they offer her a full pardon for her past misdeeds. The plan calls for Jane to travel to Port Deerfield, pose as a married couple with another agent, and join a settler convoy heading toward the gun-smuggling zone. Their infiltrative setup hinges on a clever blend of grit, disguise, and audacity.
Full summary
The whole story of The Paleface, scene by scene
The Paleface Trailers & Videos
The trailer of The Paleface.
How Well Do You Know The Paleface?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Which actor portrays the traveling dentist "Painless" Potter?
Seen The Paleface?
Movies Like The Paleface
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Paleface, Son of Paleface and An Eastern Westerner.
The Paleface FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of The Paleface, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Paleface?
The Paleface runs 1 hour 31 minutes (91 minutes).
When was The Paleface released?
The Paleface was released on December 17, 1948.
Who directed The Paleface?
The Paleface was directed by Norman Z. McLeod.
More films by Norman Z. McLeod Who is in the cast of The Paleface?
The Paleface stars Bob Hope as 'Painless' Peter Potter, Jane Russell as Calamity Jane and Charles Trowbridge as Gov. Johnson, among 27 credited actors.
Does The Paleface have a post-credit scene?
No. The Paleface has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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