weezeralfalfa
A comedic western, in which slapstick is held to a minimum. That is, it's not intended to be a total farce. It's a fun experience, now available at YouTube, as well as on DVD and Blue-ray.One Joe Baker(Dean Martin)is anticipating the arrival of his girlfriend, Dover(Carol White), from Pittsburg. Before she arrives, he wants to do 'something big' to impress her, and provide funds for their trip east and wedding. Baker is a bandit, heading a sizable gang of Mexicans, along with Dover's Scottish brother, Tommy. Thus, Baker's idea is to steal a rumored fortune stashed by infamous Mexican bandit Emilio Estevez somewhere in the Mexican village he and his numerous gang members have taken over. Baker figures he needs a Gatling machine gun to even the odds that his gang can outshoot Emilio's gang. Hence, most of the screen play relates to efforts to procure such a gun. This takes an indirect route, beginning with trader Morton, who steals the gun from a federal arsenal. Morton is supposed to sell this to the pair of Cobb and Moon, who will trade it to Baker for a woman he finds(Women are very scarce in this region). Well, Morton ups the price for the gun when he delivers it to Cobb and Moon. Hence, Moon flings his knife at Morton, killing him with a chest strike. Meanwhile, Baker and gang have been holding up various stage coaches, looking for a good woman for Cobb. They find a buxom floozy in one, but Tommy rejects her as not refined enough for Cobb. Finally, they find a refined beautiful lady,(Honor Blackman, as Mary Anna)) and abduct her. Later, they discover she is the wife of Colonel Morgan(Brian Keith), commander of the nearby army post, who has come to accompany the Colonel home upon his imminent retirement. She says she has liked the arrangement where she and the Colonel are together for only one month per year. It's like a new romance each year. Baker and Tommy later decide that she's too refined for Cobb, thus they take the Gatling gun, without giving Cobb a woman. However, they direct him to a pair of man-hungry women out in the boonies, who seem poised to satisfy him.Meanwhile, the Colonel has learned of the abduction of his wife, and goes looking for her and Baker. He eventually finds them, and initially wants to charge Baker with abduction, as well as possession of a stolen firearm. However, Mary Anna has formed a favorable impression of Baker, and argues against charging him with either offense. Baker and gang then go to bandit Emilio's village, which seems deserted at first, but soon opens up with gunfire from everywhere. Miraculously, Baker and gang are not harmed by this hail of bullets, and finally get the Gatling gun in position to mow down the defenders to the last man. They then have to guess where the treasure might be. I leave the rest of the story for you to find out what happens.Both Tommy and Dover have endearing thick Scottish accents. Tommy occasionally plays his bagpipes. Much of the humor relates to the women: primarily Mary Anna Morgan, and the pair of hard rock gold diggers who try to grab anything in pants. This includes the Colonel and his sidekick Bookbinder(Ben Johnson), who are looking for Baker, who has been there recently. The scene where Polly(Joyce Van Patten) and Carrie(Judi Meredith) are vigorously trying to seduce the Colonel and Bookbinder is especially funny. Apparently, the girls succeeded, to the Colonel's embarrassment....Also, Baker's small dog rates a few chuckles here and there. It's small enough to fit in Baker's saddlebag, with front end sticking out.
mw0650
I just recently watched this movie on YouTube in 10 parts. What a fun picture. This is Dean's most lovable part of all the movies he's made. Please watch it and rate it. If you don't agree with me, I'll be surprised. The theme song written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David is wonderful. It was sung by Mark Lindsey of Paul Revere and the Raiders fame. There is a cute dog who rides in the saddle with Dean. Brian Keith is great too. There are lots of funny lines. Then there is the sex girls who Brian Keith runs into. Dean is so vulnerable in this picture, which is unusual for him. Dean says he is confused about all the things he as to worry about. It's giving him a headache!
moonspinner55
Strictly a routine, by-the-numbers western (directed by genre-mainstay Andrew V. McLaglen, so is that any wonder?). Army colonel Brian Keith spars with smarmy bandit Dean Martin, who has just kidnapped the colonel's wife (Honor Blackman, who never found her niche after playing Pussy Galore in "Goldfinger"). Fist-fights, shoot-outs, stagecoach robberies and Denver Pyle in a supporting role...in other words, absolutely nothing new or original. Talking in a low monotone throughout, Keith gets to dally with a prostitute (something of a shock after his run on TV's "Family Affair"), but otherwise this low-rent material wastes Keith's amiable talents. It's also bad news for Dino, who doesn't seem to notice or care. Hack direction, poor writing and several unfunny attempts at lowball humor. * from ****
hawk-48
Sorry markspangler1, but the location wasn't the Superstition Mountains of Arizona, it was filmed just outside Durango, Mexico where lots of western films have been made. Beautiful scenery, mountains and plains, deep blue skies unmarked by jet contrails or fences. Through a chance meeting with Hal Needham, Stunt Coordinator and stunt double for Dean Martin, I was invited on the set during filming. I've always wondered at why it wasn't a more popular film. Great actors, great director in big Andrew McLaglen (the man is BIG!) great scenery and cinematography. My biggest regret was not being on the set when Ben Johnson was on location. Just missed him. He was always one of my favorite actors. Authentic, unpretentious and believable in all his roles. Dean is funny and the dog a real trooper. See this movie if you can.
