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:

cowboy | circus | title spoken by character | cult favorite | new york city new york | 

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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

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$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

When the gang goes out to kick up their heels it shows them entering the The Ranch Club with the big horse in front. This is a real place, thats it's real name, and it's still open in Boise, Idaho. However, the interior that is shown is another bar, about 3 miles away called The Dutch Goose. It is also still open and there is still the hole in the door where lefty gets his hook stuck.

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Goofs

When Billy is being interviewed by the press after stopping the bank robbery, he tells them to come check out the show "just off I-80". The film is set in Montana and Idaho, and Interstate 80 does not pass through either state.

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Quotes

Antoinette Lilly: [Sarcastically while driving in rural country] When do we get to the next VILLAGE?

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Connections

Featured in Biography: Clint Eastwood: The Man from Malpaso (1994)

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Soundtracks

Bayou Lullaby
Written by Cliff Crofford (as C. Crofford) and Snuff Garrett (as S. Garrett)
Sung by Penny De Haven

User Reviews

Nice little gem from Eastwood

I just saw Bronco Billy for the first time in its entirety tonight on DVD. This film has to be one of Eastwood's most underrated films. It's mainly a light comedy with some touches of drama thrown in. While Clint's in fine form in one of his few comedic roles the highlight is easily Scatman Crothers as Doc. He shines in each of his scenes and is the film's most likable character.

Is the film a classic? No. But it does have a lot of heart and I ended up caring about what happened to Billy and his wild west show. It's not too hard to see why this is one of Clint's personal favorite films. I think the film has a good message too. And that is if you do good deeds then good luck might just come your way. Even though he is a flawed character Billy does have a good heart and performs shows for the underprivileged for free.

If you are a in the mood for a film that will make you feel good for two hours then Bronco Billy is for you.

My rating: 7/10