The Villain (1979)

Facing hanging, a bank robber makes a deal with the corrupt banker to avoid execution in exchange for a dirty assignment.

Director:

Hal Needham

Writer:

Robert G. Kane

Stars:

Kirk Douglas, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Ann-Margret

Cast

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

Storyline

"Cactus" Jack Slade (Kirk Douglas) is the meanest bad man in the west, or so he thinks. When a bank robbery goes awry, he lands in jail facing a hangman's noose. When the corrupt owner of the bank offers him a job, Jack sees a chance to stay alive and get rich in the process. All he has to do is steal a strongbox full of money the banker lent to Mr. Parody Jones (Strother Martin) who needs it to keep his mining operation going. If he defaults on the loan, our "friendly" banker takes over the mine. Ms. Charming Jones (Ann-Margret) comes to town to collect the money and take it back to her father, Parody. To ensure the money makes it back home, Parody has called in a favor from a man who owes him a life debt. Enter Handsome Stranger (Arnold Schwarzenegger). The toughest and strongest hero in the west. As tough as a steel plate but, unfortunately, just as dense. As Charming and Handsome set off on their journey, Jack sets out after them. Using his trusty "Bad Men Of The West" handbook, ...

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Plot Keywords:

bad guy wins | train | native american | native american chief | horse | 

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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, Arizona, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$5,000,000 (estimated)

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

Arnold Schwarzenegger (Handsome Stranger) wore an outfit identical to that of Clayton Moore's The Lone Ranger, just without a mask.

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Goofs

A zipper can be seen in the back of Charming's blue-and-white dress.

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Quotes

[Charity is bending over while wearing a low cut dress]
Charming Jones: Would you help me with these please?
Handsome Stranger: Sure.
[picks up her luggage and walks off]

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Connections

Referenced in The Wild West (2010)

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Soundtracks

The Villain
Music and Lyrics by Buddy Cannon, Bob Younts and Billy Williams
Performed by Mel Tillis

User Reviews

It's supposed to be a LIVE action Road Runner Cartoon!

You people have completely missed the point of the movie! When Kirk Douglas falls off the cliff, or off his horse, he is not intended to be hurt! Didn't you get it when he painted a tunnel on the big rock, and Arnold and Ann PASS right through it? Then when Douglas tries it, he runs splat into the rock! It is a very funny comedy! COMEDY being the key word here. Arnold has some great lines in this movie as does Ann Margaret. This is your classic Saturday Morning Wile E. Coyote/Roadrunner cartoon done in a live version. Don't worry so much about the acting, and just enjoy the movie.

Also, Ann Margaret is NOT 63 in this movie, and she is VERY hot looking in it. And even at 63, she is still somewhat hot!

If you have this movie and Brain Donors, you have yourself a fun day ahead of you!!