Billy Crystal and chums Daniel Stern and Bruno Kirby are the city folk who get the chance to play at Rawhide in this winning comedy blockbuster that cleaned up at the box office.
Seeking to ward off middle age, Mitch (Crystal), Phil (Stern) and Ed (Kirby) join a motley group who have volunteered to drive cattle across the range under the eye of an irascible old cowboy called Curly (Jack Palance).
Despite some worryingly sentimental moments of male bonding, this is an engaging, expertly played piece which gently pokes fun at both midlife crises and the Wild West.
Palance, in particular, has a ball and picked up a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his performance, while director Ron Underwood – who before this was best known for the cult sci-fi film Tremors(1989) – proves to be equally adept at the gags and the large-scale, traditional western set pieces.
Mitch Robbins
Billy Crystal Phil Berquist
Daniel Stern Ed Furillo
Bruno Kirby Barbara Robbins
Patricia Wettig Bonnie Rayburn
Helen Slater Curly
Jack Palance Clay Stone
Noble Willingham Cookie
Tracey Walter Barry Shalowitz
Josh Mostel Ira Shalowitz
David Paymer Ben Jessup
Bill Henderson Lou
Jeffrey Tambor Steve Jessup
Phill Lewis Jeff
Kyle Secor
