Cactus Jack: The Early Years

Rating:
Summary: TAKE HOLD OF THESE
Review: This looney-tuned influenced cartoon movie came before BLAZING SADDLES, RUSTLER'S RHAPSODY, THE AIRPLANE MOVIES, etc., etc., so compared to these, it's pretty lame. But if you remember this was one of the early spoofs, it's not so bad. As mentioned, it's a live action Road Runner cartoon, with Kirk Douglas standing in for Wile E. Coyote. Douglas is a very versatile actor, and he tries very hard in this movie, but he's not comic enough to be convincing. Arnold Schwarzenegger? Well, this is an early film and he provides the muscle without any acting chops, but he's unobtrusive. Ann-Margret in an underwritten role is great, especially with her innuendo lines like leaning out of the train and asking Ahnuld to "take hold of these."
It might have been better had there been MORE slapstick scenes and less of things like the countless vistas showing the wagon, or the inclusion of Paul Lynde as a Paul Lynde Indian. They tended to slow the action down, except for the great scene where all the Indians fall off their horses. Ruth Buzzi in a parody of her dirty old lady Laugh In routine adds a little sparkle; Mel Tillis is irritating with his stuttering, always has, always will be.
THE VILLAIN is funny and seeing Kirk Douglas bounce all over the roofs in the end is sidesplitting. But the movie just ends, and you feel a little cheated.
But, it has some laughs and it's good to see Ann Margret any time!

Rating:
Summary: A cinematic cartoon
Review: What a waste of these great actors and actresses. You'll laugh, all right, but from embarrassment, not humor. If you're looking for a great spoof of Westerns, look no further than Mel Brooks' classic, "Blazing Saddles", which is the movie this one was trying to be, but failed.

Rating:
Summary: Live-action cartoon
Review: What fun! I stumbled onto this movie in progress on a program called "Golden Age of Comedy Movies." I paused when I saw Arnold and Ann-Margret in an old western, curious as to what this was. When Ann-Margret leaned out of the train and handed Arnold her bags, nearly falling out of her low-cut dress in the process and saying, "Take hold of these," I knew this wasn't a serious drama I was watching. When Kirk Douglas showed up, I was hooked. It's impossible not to make comparisons with The Roadrunner cartoons as Kirk Douglas performs impossible leaps and survives intact after being crushed by a giant boulder and hit by a train. His trusty sidekick, Whiskey the horse, is a pure delight. It's odd to see Arnold in cowboy garb. His job is mostly to look studly and his lines mostly consist of, "I really don't know!" delivered with a bewildered look. Definitely a one-of-a-kind movie. Don't watch it if you're expecting great acting and writing, but if you just want to get in on the fun of big name stars acting very silly, you'll love it.