Rustlers' Rhapsody
Rustlers' Rhapsody | |
---|---|
![]() Theatrical release poster | |
Directed by | Hugh Wilson |
Written by | Hugh Wilson |
Produced by | David Giler Walter Hill |
Starring | |
Cinematography | José Luis Alcaine |
Edited by | John Victor Smith(supervising editor) |
Music by | Steve Dorff |
Distributed by | Paramount Pictures |
Release date |
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Running time | 88 min. |
Language | English |
Budget | $5.5 million[1] |
Box office | $6,090,497 |
Rustlers' Rhapsodyis a 1985 Americancomedy–Westernfilm. It is a parody of many Western conventions, most visibly of thesinging cowboyfilms that were prominent in the 1930s and the 1940s. The film was written and directed byHugh Wilson,who was supposedly inspired by working atCBS Studio Center,the formerRepublic Picturesbacklot.[citation needed]It starsTom Berengeras a stereotypical good-guy cowboy, Rex O'Herlihan, who is drawn out of a black-and-white film and transferred into a more self-aware setting.Patrick Wayne,son of Western iconJohn Wayne,co-stars, along withAndy Griffith,Fernando Rey,G.W. Bailey,Marilu HennerandSela Ward.
Henner was nominated for aGolden Raspberry AwardasWorst Supporting Actress.[2]
Plot
[edit]The concept of the film is explained in a voiceover wondering what it would be like if one of the old Rex O'Herlihan films were to be made today. At that point, the scene shifts from black and white to color and the soundtrack changes from mono to surround sound.
As a consequence of this paradigm shift, Rex O'Herlihan, a "singing cowboy", is the only character aware of the plot outline. He explains that he "knows the future" inasmuch as "these Western towns are all the same" and that it's his "karma" to "ride into a town, help the good guys, who are usually poor for some reason, against the bad guys, who are usually rich for some reason, and ride out again." Rex's knowledge is also connected to the unspecified "root" vegetables he digs up and eats.
On his high-stepping horse Wildfire, Rex rides into the town of Oakwood Estates, walks into a saloon and meets Peter, the Town Drunk. In exchange for a free drink, Peter explains the background: the town, and especially the sheep herders ( "nice enough, but they smell God-awful" ), are being terrorized by the cattle ranchers, headed by Colonel Ticonderoga. Also there is Miss Tracy, the traditional ‘prostitute with a heart of gold’. A local sheriff is "a corrupt old coward who takes his orders from the Colonel."
Blackie, the foreman at Rancho Ticonderoga, swaggers into the bar with two of his henchmen and shoots one of the sheepherders, then the town’s real-estate agent. Miss Tracy objects, and when she is verbally abused by one of Blackie's henchmen, Rex intervenes. Blackie draws on Rex after he threatens to "shoot in the hand" anyone drawing on him – and duly delivers on that threat. The disabled Blackie orders his two henchmen to kill Rex, but in firing hurriedly, they shoot Blackie in the back instead. Rex then shoots both in the hand and orders them to remove Blackie's corpse.
Peter exchanges his drunk suit for asidekickoutfit, catches up with Rex and is reluctantly accepted. (Rex has sworn off sidekicks as they keep dying.) At the singing cowboy's campsite, Peter finds not one but two women there eager to get to know Rex a little better, Miss Tracy and the Colonel's daughter.
The Colonel goes for help to the boss of the railroad men – who weardusters."We should stick together. Look what we have in common: we're both rich, we're both power-mad, and we're both Colonels — that's got to count for something!" But Rex outwits the Bad Guys because he knows their every move before they do. Then the Colonels import "Wrangler" Bob Barber, apparently another Good Guy. Bob discomposes Rex in their first meeting by attacking Rex's claim to be the "most good Good Guy" and pointing out that a Good Guy has to be "a confident heterosexual". "I thought it was just a heterosexual", Rex objects. "No, it's a confident heterosexual", responds Bob.
Rex backs down from the shootout. On his way out of town, while preparing to change roles to that of a sidekick, Rex explains to Peter that he rides into town, kisses the girls and rides out again. "That's all: I just kiss 'em. I mean, this is the 1880s. You gotta date and date and date and date and sometimes marry 'em before they…you know."
Bob reports that Rex is finished as a Good Guy. Nevertheless, the Colonels, over Bob's objection, arrange for Peter to be bushwhacked. This rouses Rex to round up the sheep herders and face down Bob and the rancher/railroad combine. Bob is revealed as not a Good Guy at all because, after all, he is a lawyer. Rex shoots him.
Colonel Ticonderoga makes the peace. He apologizes to Rex and throws a party at Rancho Ticonderoga, after which Rex and Peter (who survived because Rex had him wear a bulletproof vest) ride off together into the sunset.
Cast
[edit]- Tom Berengeras Rex O'Herlihan
- G.W. Baileyas Peter
- Marilu Henneras Miss Tracy
- Andy Griffithas Colonel Ticonderoga
- Fernando Reyas Railroad Colonel
- Sela Wardas Colonel's Daughter
- Brant Van Hoffmanas Jim
- Christopher Malcolmas Jud
- Jim Carteras Blackie
- Paul Maxwellas Sheepherder #1
- Manuel Pereiro as Sheepherder #2
- Margarita Calahorra as Sheepherder's Wife
- Billy J. Mitchellas Town Doctor
- John Orchardas Town Sheriff
- Emilio Linder as Sheepherder in Saloon
- Alan Larson as Bartender
- Thomas Abbot as Saloon Owner
- Patrick Wayneas Bob Barber
Production
[edit]The film was a passion project of director Hugh Wilson, who grew up loving Westerns he would see at the Saturday afternoon matinee. He was able to make it after the success ofPolice Academy(1984).[3]
In the mid 1980s, there was a brief revival in the popularity of the Western, with the studios making films likePale Rider,Lust in the DustandSilverado(1985). In May 1984, it was announced Wilson would direct the film for Paramount.[4]
"This isn't really a send up", said Wilson. "We're playing it very straight. We loved those old films and we really are trying to say something about them, like how can the hero keep changing his shirt?"[3]
Wilson wantedGeorge Gaynesto play a lead role but the actor was unable to due to his role onPunky Brewster.[5]
Shooting took place inAlmería,Spain, in October 1984. The film used sets that had once been featured inSergio Leonefilms.[3][6]
Patrick Wayne was hired to appear in the film mid-shoot after the producers were unhappy with the performance of another actor already cast in the part. Wayne later described it as "probably the best acting I've done on film."[7]
Reception
[edit]Box office
[edit]The film was a box office disappointment.[8]
Critical
[edit]Rustlers' Rhapsodyreceived negative reviews from critics, with many saying it paled in comparison to Mel Brooks'Blazing Saddles.Writing in theNew York Times,Vincent Canbythought Wilson had ignored the "genuinely funny" idea that Rex might be caught in a time warp.[6]On thereview aggregatorwebsiteRotten Tomatoes,17% of 12 critics' reviews are positive.[9]
TheLos Angeles Timescalled it "a joy."[10]
TheChicago Tribunecalled it a parody film in search of a good joke.[11]
Home media releases
[edit]Rustlers' Rhapsodywas released on VHS cassette in by CIC Video.[12]
References
[edit]- ^Pat H. Broeske (December 23, 1984). "The Western Movie Rides Out Again: Westerns Westerns".The Washington Post.p. F1.
- ^Wilson, John (2005).The Official Razzie Movie Guide: Enjoying the Best of Hollywood's Worst.Grand Central Publishing.ISBN0-446-69334-0.
- ^abcPerry, George (November 18, 1984). "A WESTERN WITH THE STING OF AN OLD 'B'".Los Angeles Times.p. w5.
- ^London, Michael (May 11, 1984). "FILM CLIPS: IT'S NO BULL: MGM/UA DROPS 'BO-BOLERO'".Los Angeles Times.p. oc_d1.
- ^STEPHEN FARBER (June 12, 1984). "Television Stardom Near for Actor, 64: Gaynes Wins Key Role in Fall Sitcom".New York Times.p. C18.
- ^abVincent Canby(May 10, 1985)."Film: 'Rustlers,' a spoof".The New York Times.Archived fromthe originalon November 7, 2017.RetrievedDecember 28,2017.
- ^"Patrick Wayne unmasks extraordinary dad's vulnerability in exclusive birthday tribute".September 24, 2021.
- ^Taylor, Clarke (May 23, 1985). "BERENGER IS CLEAR-EYED IN A STAR-STRUCK WORLD".Los Angeles Times.p. j1.
- ^"Rustlers' Rhapsody".Rotten Tomatoes.Fandango Media.
- ^Thomas, Kevin (May 10, 1985)."A PAEAN TO WESTERNS IN 'RUSTLERS' RHAPSODY'".Los Angeles Times.p. h6.
- ^"'Rustlers' Rhapsody' A Parody in Search of a Good Joke ".Chicago Tribune.May 10, 1985.
- ^"Rustlers' Rhapsody".
External links
[edit]- 1985 films
- 1980s Western (genre) comedy films
- Paramount Pictures films
- Metafictional works
- Films directed by Hugh Wilson (director)
- American Western (genre) comedy films
- Films produced by Walter Hill
- Films produced by David Giler
- Films scored by Steve Dorff
- Films shot in Almería
- Films with screenplays by Hugh Wilson (director)
- 1985 comedy films
- 1980s English-language films
- 1980s American films
- English-language Western (genre) comedy films