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	...	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

"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 name of "Cactus" Jack's horse was the same as the horse Kirk Douglas used in Lonely Are the Brave (1962), "Whiskey".

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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: I come to speak with straight tongue.
Nervous Elk: Tongue may be straight, but mouth hide many sharp teeth.

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Connections

Referenced in The Wild West (2010)

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Soundtracks

Handsome Stranger
Written by Jimmy Darrell & Joe Smartt
Performed by Mel Tillis

User Reviews

Live action Road Runner cartoon!!

I first saw this movie in the theater when it was originally released. I had NO IDEA what it was about and I was kind of puzzled at first by it...then I really got into it and laughed uproariously throughout!!! Every crazy Road Runner gag is hauled out and used...and it works!!! Totally silly, totally nonsensical...but very very funny!!! How can you go wrong with a movie that has Paul Lynde as an Indian named Nervous Elk???? Leave your grumpiness at the door...get into a goofy mood and enjoy this flick!!!