The Villain (1979)

Handsome Stranger has agreed to escort Charming Jones to collect her inheritance from her father. But Avery Jones wants the money, and hires notorious outlaw Cactus Jack to ambush Charming.... See full summary »

Director:

Hal Needham

Writer:

Robert G. Kane

Stars:

Kirk Douglas, Ann-Margret, Arnold Schwarzenegger

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kirk Douglas	...	Cactus Jack
Ann-Margret	...	Charming Jones
Arnold Schwarzenegger	...	Handsome Stranger
Paul Lynde	...	Nervous Elk
Foster Brooks	...	Bank Clerk
Ruth Buzzi	...	Damsel in Distress
Jack Elam	...	Avery Simpson
Strother Martin	...	Parody Jones
Ray Bickel	...	Man
Robert Tessier	...	Mashing Finger
Mel Tillis	...	Telegraph Agent
Laura Lizer Sommers	...	Working Girl
Jan Eddy	...	Sheriff
Mel Todd	...	Conductor
Jim Anderson	...	Bartender

Storyline

Handsome Stranger has agreed to escort Charming Jones to collect her inheritance from her father. But Avery Jones wants the money, and hires notorious outlaw Cactus Jack to ambush Charming. However, Cactus Jack is not very good at robbing people.

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Plot Keywords:

train | chase | glue | explosion | falling from height | 

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Taglines:

...the fastest fun in the west!

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Genres:

Comedy | Western

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 July 1979 (USA)

Also Known As:

Cactus Jack

Filming Locations:

Monument Valley, Utah, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Rastar Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

89 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The central character in this western-spoof is Cactus Jack Slade. Similarly, there had been another western-spoof with a central character called Evil Roy Slade. This was a tele-movie that had been made earlier in the decade. Both the Evil Roy Slade and Cactus Jack Slade characters are seen dressed very much alike, completely in black outfit with black hats, both sport moustaches, are villains, and share the same last name. The Slade surname in the earlier film was an acronym for "Sneaking, Lying, Arrogance, Dirtiness and Evil." Moreover, both characters in posters are seen riding atop a Western vehicle, Jack on a locomotive and Roy on a horse carriage.

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Goofs

When Cactus Jack is leaning over the cliff to watch Charming bathe, a pole can be seen holding him up as the small tree he is holding onto breaks away. (only visible in open matte TV showings).

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Quotes

Cactus Jack: Take another step and I'll ventilate you!

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Connections

Referenced in Tatort: Märchenwald (2004)

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Soundtracks

"The Villain"
Written by Buddy Cannon, Bob Younts, and Billy Williams
Performed by 'Mel Tillis (I)'

User Reviews

Good Fun

I can't understand why most people think every movie is trying to be Citizen Kane. I mean I love steak, but I would tire of it if I had to eat it every day. Sometimes you need pudding. This movie is pudding..not much substance but tastes great while it's in your mouth. I hadn't thought about this movie in ages until I was reading a bio on Arnold. This movie is a live action cartoon. It's goofy, silly and other adjectives that end in y, but it's fun to watch. It's especially fun to see it on those Sunday afternoons when nothing is on, but car racing and fishing. (With the advent of cable this has become a rare occasion, but I think most people will agree that even with 150 channels it's still hard to find something you want to watch.) If you get a chance to see this movie and don't take yourself too seriously you will have a good laugh.