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

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 (1972). This was a television movie. The Evil Roy Slade and "Cactus" Jack Slade characters were seen dressed very much alike, completely in black outfits 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." Also, 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

Horse stands available when Nervous Elk yells "charge" and all the horses race from out of the stands (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 Police Academy 6: City Under Siege (1989)

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Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

hilarious film, just like Roadrunner

Almost like a Roadrunner cartoon, but live action. Pretty much all the clichés you can think of, including names such as "Handsome Stranger" for the handsome stranger played by Ah-nold, and "Charming" for the beautiful heroine.

Frankly, IMHO, Kirk Douglas's horse was the star of the movie. While watching it with friends I said, "I love that horse." I think that animal should have won an Academy Award. (I think there is a "Patsy" award for animals, actually)

Probably best to see this one with friends. Probably pretty boring to see it alone, but where friends can feed upon each other it is wonderful.

None of Kirk Douglas's implements did come from the ACME company, though :-)