Bronco Billy (1980)

An idealistic, modern-day cowboy struggles to keep his Wild West show afloat in the face of hard luck and waning interest.

Director:

Clint Eastwood

Writer:

Dennis Hackin (as Dennis E. Hackin)

Stars:

Clint Eastwood, Sondra Locke, Geoffrey Lewis

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Clint Eastwood	...	Bronco Billy
Sondra Locke	...	Antoinette Lily
Geoffrey Lewis	...	John Arlington
Scatman Crothers	...	Doc Lynch
Bill McKinney	...	Lefty LeBow
Sam Bottoms	...	Leonard James
Dan Vadis	...	Chief Big Eagle
Sierra Pecheur	...	Lorraine Running Water
Walter Barnes	...	Sheriff Dix
Woodrow Parfrey	...	Dr. Canterbury
Beverlee McKinsey	...	Irene Lily
Doug McGrath	...	Lt. Wiecker (as Douglas McGrath)
Hank Worden	...	Station Mechanic
William Prince	...	Edgar Lipton
Pam Abbas	...	Mother Superior

Storyline

Bronco Billy McCoy is the proud owner of a small traveling Wild West show. But the business isn't doing too well: for the past six months he hasn't paid his employees. At a gas station he picks up Antoinette, a stuck-up blonde from a rich family, who was left behind without a penny by her husband on their wedding night. Billy likes her looks and hires her as his assistant. She seems to bring them bad luck and the business gets even worse. In these hard times she loses her reluctance and starts to like her new way of life... and Bronco Billy.

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Plot Keywords:

wild west show | cowboy | blonde | lawyer | heiress | 

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Taglines:

There Never Was A Show Quite Like This One.

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Comedy | Drama | Romance | Western

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 June 1980 (USA)

Also Known As:

Bronco Billy, o Aventureiro

Filming Locations:

Boise, Idaho, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$6,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$3,708,710, 15 June 1980

Gross USA:

$24,265,659

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros.,Second Street Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

116 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In a French interview, Clint Eastwood said of this movie, "It was an old-fashioned theme, probably too old fashioned since the film didn't do as well as we hoped. But if, as a film director, I ever wanted to say something, you'll find it in Bronco Billy".

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Goofs

When Bronco Billy meets with the sheriff alongside the road you can see a microphone rise up next to Billy's car, parked behind him.Then you see it lowering slowly down next to the car.

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Quotes

Antoinette Lilly: But why do I hate him so?
Lorraine Running Water: The Apaches have a word for that... it's called love.

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Connections

Referenced in The Directors: The Films of Clint Eastwood

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Soundtracks

Bronco Billy
Written by Milton Brown (as M. Brown), Steve Dorff (as S. Dorff) and Snuff Garrett (as S. Garrett)
Sung by Ronnie Milsap

User Reviews

Top marks: adds to Eastwood's body of work

I think this movie is pure Eastwood: not trying for the spectacular or flashy, not aiming for any Oscars, but honest, well-crafted, original in theme, touching and memorable. It deserves more attention than it's gotten and is deeper than it's been given credit for. Eastwood himself has said that if he ever had anything to say as a director it's in this film. It's a great addition to Eastwood's large and impressive body of work, and shows yet again that he is never afraid to take chances.