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Hearts of the West

  • 19751975
  • PGPG
  • 1h 42m
IMDb RATING
6.5/10
1.6K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,806
18,641
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Jeff Bridges and Blythe Danner in Hearts of the West (1975)
Lewis Tater writes Wild West dime novels and dreams of actually becoming a cowboy. When he goes west to find his dream, he finds himself in possession of the loot box of two crooks who tried to rob him. During his escape, Lewis stumbles on to the set of a Wild West movie, and through mishap and chance, becomes a star of Hollywood Westerns.
Play trailer2:46
1 Video
31 Photos
  • Comedy
  • Western

During the 1930s, Lewis Tate aspires to be the next great American Western writer. When he travels to California, he's recruited by Bert Kessler, a Hollywood unit manager, to star in a serie... Read allDuring the 1930s, Lewis Tate aspires to be the next great American Western writer. When he travels to California, he's recruited by Bert Kessler, a Hollywood unit manager, to star in a series of low-rent Westerns.During the 1930s, Lewis Tate aspires to be the next great American Western writer. When he travels to California, he's recruited by Bert Kessler, a Hollywood unit manager, to star in a series of low-rent Westerns.

IMDb RATING
6.5/10
1.6K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,806
18,641
  • Director
    • Howard Zieff
  • Writer
    • Rob Thompson
  • Stars
    • Jeff Bridges
    • Andy Griffith
    • Donald Pleasence
Top credits
  • Director
    • Howard Zieff
  • Writer
    • Rob Thompson
  • Stars
    • Jeff Bridges
    • Andy Griffith
    • Donald Pleasence
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 22User reviews
    • 14Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins & 1 nomination

    Videos1

    Theatrical Trailer
    Trailer 2:46
    Theatrical Trailer

    Photos31

    Jeff Bridges and Andy Griffith in Hearts of the West (1975)
    Jeff Bridges in Hearts of the West (1975)
    Jeff Bridges in Hearts of the West (1975)
    Jeff Bridges in Hearts of the West (1975)
    Alan Arkin in Hearts of the West (1975)
    Jeff Bridges and Andy Griffith in Hearts of the West (1975)
    Jeff Bridges and Andy Griffith in Hearts of the West (1975)
    Jeff Bridges and Andy Griffith in Hearts of the West (1975)
    Jeff Bridges and Andy Griffith in Hearts of the West (1975)
    Andy Griffith in Hearts of the West (1975)
    Jeff Bridges in Hearts of the West (1975)
    Jeff Bridges, Blythe Danner, and Andy Griffith in Hearts of the West (1975)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Jeff Bridges
    Jeff Bridges
    • Lewis Tateras Lewis Tater
    Andy Griffith
    Andy Griffith
    • Howard Pikeas Howard Pike
    Donald Pleasence
    Donald Pleasence
    • A.J. Nietzas A.J. Nietz
    Blythe Danner
    Blythe Danner
    • Miss Troutas Miss Trout
    Alan Arkin
    Alan Arkin
    • Kessleras Kessler
    Richard B. Shull
    Richard B. Shull
    • Stout Crookas Stout Crook
    Herb Edelman
    Herb Edelman
    • Poloas Polo
    • (as Herbert Edelman)
    Alex Rocco
    Alex Rocco
    • Earlas Earl
    Frank Cady
    Frank Cady
    • Pa Tateras Pa Tater
    Anthony James
    Anthony James
    • Lean Crookas Lean Crook
    Burton Gilliam
    Burton Gilliam
    • Lesteras Lester
    Matt Clark
    Matt Clark
    • Jacksonas Jackson
    Candice Azzara
    Candice Azzara
    • Waitressas Waitress
    • (as Candy Azzara)
    Thayer David
    Thayer David
    • Bank Manageras Bank Manager
    Wayne Storm
    • Lyleas Lyle
    Marie Windsor
    Marie Windsor
    • Woman in Nevadaas Woman in Nevada
    Anthony Holland
    Anthony Holland
    • Guest at Beach Partyas Guest at Beach Party
    Dub Taylor
    Dub Taylor
    • Nevada Ticket Agentas Nevada Ticket Agent
    • Director
      • Howard Zieff
    • Writer
      • Rob Thompson
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit
    Lewis Tater writes Wild West dime novels and dreams of actually becoming a cowboy. When he goes west to find his dream, he finds himself in possession of the loot box of two crooks who tried to rob him. During his escape, Lewis stumbles on to the set of a Wild West movie, and through mishap and chance, becomes a star of Hollywood Westerns. —Bree Humphries <mhumphri@brynmawr.edu>
    • mule
    • cowboy
    • b western
    • hollywood california
    • 1930s
    • 20 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • MGM's Comedy Surprise
    • Genres
      • Comedy
      • Western
    • Certificate
      • PG
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      A.J. Nietz (Donald Pleasence) is named after prolific western and "B" picture Director Alan James (real name Alvin J. Neitz), who started out in silent films, and lasted through the talkie era, and who directed westerns with such stars as Ken Maynard, Jack Hoxie, and Tim McCoy.
    • Goofs
      While directing the fistfight scene in the desert. The director walks back and forth in front of the camera. Even at one point stopping right in front of the camera. Thereby ruining a lot of the shoot. This may have been meant to show what a bad director he is.
    • Quotes

      [after the movie crew pick up Lewis in the desert]

      Lewis Tater: You mean you guys ain't cowboys?

      Howard Pike: Well, sure we're cowboys. Whaddaya suppose we are? Weasels?

      Howard Pike: [points to Wally] Look at that guy's face, right there. Show him your profile, Wally. Now don't that look like a western type to you? That right there is a cowboy's face.

      Wally: Reeks character. That's what they told me... reeks.

    • Crazy credits
      The film opens with the 1930's MGM logo.
    • Connections
      Featured in Alan Arkin: Live from the TCM Classic Film Festival (2015)
    • Soundtracks
      Pagan Love Song
      Music by Nacio Herb Brown

      Lyrics by Arthur Freed

    User reviews22

    Review
    Top review
    A Bridges Gem
    What a likable farm galoot Jeff Bridges makes. His Lewis Tater wants to be a Western writer and by golly neither pursuing crooks, nor double-crossing buddies, nor phony correspondence schools are going to stop him. Like his literary alter-ego The Kid, he's just too eager to get discouraged. Across burning deserts and thundering hoofs, he soldiers on toward fame and fortune and Hollywood and Vine.

    And what a hoot his purple prose is. Like an amiable Walter Mitty, minor events get spun into major events for "The Kid" in such deathless passages as, "Twirling, The Kid fired with all he had into the phantom riders", or " A Colt in either hand, he scattered lead at the retreating dust."

    What a great sleeper movie this is, thanks to the comical Bridges and some unerring light touches. Take for example the cheap Western they're filming. Catch how a groaning Lewis steps on the big romantic clinch, or how his curtain-chewing death throes put the director (Arkin) into a murderous tizzy. But I especially like that awkward little turn on the sidewalk where he brushes against the potted palm and wins the affection of Miss Trout (Danner).

    The movie's also a telling look at the making of matinée Westerns, a staple of kids' viewing in the 1930's and 40's. As a former Front Row kid, I viewed those parts with mixed emotions. I guess I still want those guys to be real cowboys and not the shrewd businessmen-actors they likely were.

    Anyhow, in my little book, this is a little gem from beginning to end, with scarcely a misstep along the way. It never ceases to amaze me that the Hollywood-bred Bridges (his dad was veteran actor Lloyd Bridges) can play such a convincing hayseed, but he can. Speaking of hayseeds, watch for a very unMayberry Andy Griffith, again showing what a fine, versatile actor he is. I'm just sorry this style of clever low-key comedy has given way to today's frantic bathroom kind. Maybe Hollywood needs to hire more Lewis Tater's, after all.
    helpful•24
    1
    • dougdoepke
    • Jul 12, 2010

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 8, 1975 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Ins Herz des wilden Westens
    • Filming locations
      • Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park - 10700 W. Escondido Canyon Rd., Agua Dulce, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $2,000,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 42 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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