After two big hits with Burt Reynolds, Hal Needham's directorial career stumbled a little without him with this bright comic book Western comedy. It's an odd sort of movie - I can see they were going for an anything-goes type feel, which is fine, and can work, and certainly has in other Needham films, but not here.
First of all it doesn't have the pace. The plot is about Kirk Douglas trying to rob Arnie and Ann Margaret but it takes ages to set up and get going.
Second, while Arnold Schwarzeneggar is ideal as an innocent, it seems weird him being in the West - now, I know Austrians would've been in the old West, it still seems weird especially as the film is a play on old Westerns..
Ann Margret is fun as the slightly trashy woman constantly trying to seduce Arnie but as he shows no interest it gets repetitive. They've gone for the gag - "oh haha he's not keen haha" - but over a feature that doesn't sustain. Nothing much sustains. The Road Runner cartoon motif works best in seven minute installments. This needs depth. Blazing Saddles had the friendship of the lead two and a really serious subject matter.
Entertainingly odd support cast including Ruth Brazzi, Paul Lynde. You can tell everyone had fun making it. But it starts to drag and then gets annoying.
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