Plot--An abandoned tyke grows up embracing everything silly and evil, eventually heading up an outlaw gang whose many shootouts never hit anything. The question is can he ever stop laughing at little old ladies and be accepted into polite society.
Hilarious spoof of all that was bright, shiny, and good in westerns of old. The tongue-in-cheek is done so well, it's impossible for former front-row-kids like myself to take offense. Astin's toothy, leering face is perfect as Slade. Every time he does something mean, like bump an old lady off the walkway, he flashes an evil leer.
But just as good as Astin is, the snappy one-liners keep coming. I love it when he does something mean and says that he's worked hard to reach rock bottom. Or his idea of complementing a girl when he says she's prettier than the sun glinting off a rifle barrel! And get a load of Shawn, duded out like a Vegas showgirl. But whatever you do, stay away from his guitar. Thanks to him, I expect the great Autry and Rogers are turning over in their fancy wardrobes. Anyway, the laughs keep coming as long as Slade's on screen.
My only gripe is that the comedic streak loses some momentum near the end as things serious up a bit. Then too, run-time was extended to give Berle some star exposure, even though his brand of verbal comedy appears miscast. Too bad that some kind of award is not given for farcical gems, because this wacko certainly deserves one, TV movie or no. And while we're at it, an award to Astin for the best comedic leer in town. All in all, a real little sleeper gem.
