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:

train | native american | native american chief | horse | glue | 

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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

Coincidentally, this live-action version of a "Looney Tunes" animated film had its main original American movie poster designed as a cartoon.

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Goofs

When Whiskey approaches Cactus Jack in the jail, (@15:50) the bars on the window move.

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Quotes

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

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Connections

Featured in Kirk Douglas: Before I Forget (2009)

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Soundtracks

Charmin'
Music and Lyrics by Buddy Cannon, Kenny Starr, Bob Younts and Jimmy Darrell
Performed by Mel Tillis

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.