Simple enough title.
Directed by stuntman turned director turned Burt Reynold's goofy bar buddy, Hal Needham.
This movie, as mentioned by EVERYONE and their mothers, is a Wil E. Coyote cartoon come to life.
The story is of Cactus Jack played super goof-ball to the limit by Kirk Douglas. After he and his untrustworthy sidekick horse named Whisky attempt to rob a bank. They inadvertently blow up the bank which then lands him in jail. There he meets Avery Simpson, the corrupt bank owner played by the amazing character actor Jack Elam. Yes, cockeyed weirdo Jack Elam. That dude was born old and under a cactus.
Avery concocts a plan to stop the woman named Charming Jones, the daughter of his partner from taking money back to a deal. Not to be outdone, Charming's father hires a massive dullard in the form of Arnold Schwarzenegger as her hapless guardian to make sure the money is delivered. He is adequately named Handsome Stranger. Charming is played by the buxom cat in heat red Ann-Margret. And she is...unbelievably sexy here.
This movie is wild and crazy. And you get the sense this prefaced Hal's star studded "Cannonball Run!"Everyone is game for the wild and hilarious send up of westerns. But there is no social commentary like in "Blazin' Saddles." "The Villain" is Good vs. Bad for the love of the damsel. And it delivers with loose fun. It is VERY similar to every Needham movie, which loves just to entertain and nothing more. Schwarzenegger is actually at his comedic best here. He is, as his name indicates, a stranger in a strange land and a boy scout. He is such a virginal character, when Charming attempts to seduce him, she has to practically rape him. Because he such the good guy. It is a fun movie full of what appears to be friends just making a movie.
It's worth a look on a slow night. Fun stuff!
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