| The Villain | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Directed by | Hal Needham |
| Produced by | Mort Engelberg |
| Written by | Robert G. Kane |
| Starring | Kirk Douglas Arnold Schwarzenegger Ann-Margret Paul Lynde Foster Brooks Strother Martin Ruth Buzzi Jack Elam Mel Tillis |
| Music by | Bill Justis |
| Release date(s) | 1979 |
| Running time | 89 minutes |
| Language | English |
| IMDb profile | |
The Villain is a 1979 sendup of western films, directed by Hal Needham, starring Kirk Douglas, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Ann-Margret, Paul Lynde, Foster Brooks, Strother Martin, Ruth Buzzi, Jack Elam, and Mel Tillis. It was released in the UK as Cactus Jack.
Plot
The plot revolves around a woman named Charming Jones (Ann-Margret) being escorted by cowboy Handsome Stranger (Schwarzenegger) — named by his mother after his father — to claim money left by her father Parody Jones (Martin). But the rich Avery Simpson (Elam) wants to steal his own money and hires an old cowboy Cactus Jack (Douglas) to rob them when they ride back from the town. However Jack is not very good at robbery. In essence, the trip back with the money is a live-action tribute to Looney Tunes, particularly the Road-Runner cartoons, with Jack playing the part of Wile E. Coyote, including cartoon gravity and painted tunnel entrances. At the end however there is a surprise twist when Charming chooses Cactus Jack over Handsome (and his naive and staunchly pure-hearted intentions towards her).
Trivia
In 1994's Wagons East (remembered as actor John Candy's last film), the character of John Slade is based on Cactus Jack.
