Limonádový Joe aneb Konská opera

Oldrich Lipsky was a Czech director who was well known in his country for unique bizarre comedies. Silly, wacky and crazy are just a couple words to describe his films. "Lemonade Joe" is a musical western comedy. It's a fun parody that pays homage to the old west, and is filmed in awesome sepia tones. The movie makes many jokes and references to western culture, such as the town name of Stenson City. I love how over the top the film is. Great music, bar fights, slapstick and cartoonish gunfights. Lemonade Joe knows that alcohol will ruin his ability to shoot, so that's why he enjoys Kola-Loka Lemonade. Did I mention the film has hot and voluptuous Czech actresses. Eastern Europe women rock!(dobre) You must Czech out Lemonade Joe. For more Lipsky madness also watch "Dinner for Adele".

"Limonadovy Joe" is part of the golden fund of Czech cinema; it is broadcast every year on TV and you find it in most Czech households on VHS. The fact that this movie was made in the Communist times and that it is a parody to Wild West pictures, does not mean that "Limonadovy Joe" is an ideological trash; I am sure Wild West lovers would not feel offended by this movie. It is a skeptical and self-ironic piece, but in my view, still rather homage to western. 60-ies were the best time for Czech cinema. `Limonadovy Joe' fits into those liberal years of good movies. It is a family comedy with cheerful, but still intelligent humor. Joe remained the only important role for Karel Fiala, but guaranteed him a life-long popularity in his country. Please note excellent performance of actors in episode roles, like e. g. Vladimír Mensik in the role of barman. Also the graphical aspect of the movie is worth mentioning; it is stylized in retro black and white, whereas each scene is colored to another color.

This is an amazingly broad comedy--very silly and cartoon-like. In many ways it's like a Czechoslovakian version of "The Villain".

This western is set in a lawless town in Arizona. A local saloon owner, Doug Badman, is thrilled that the entire town is evil--spending all their time getting drunk and availing themselves of the services of 'professional girls'. However, when Lemonade Joe shows up, he's out to clean up the town and introduce them to the invigorating effects of a lemonade drink, 'Kolaloka'. In fact, he's the regional rep for the product and shows everyone its benefits by shooting baddies right and left and restoring justice. Joe is a clever amalgam of various B-western heroes like Gene Autry and Roy Rogers, though he's even more virtuous--and looks a lot like Gene Raymond.

Doug's brother, the even more evil Horace Badman (also known as 'Hogofogo'), arrives in town and is upset to see that order and sobriety are the rule of the day. He's determined to destroy Lemonade Joe and steal his pure girlfriend. Horace is a LOT like the cartoon character Snidely Whiplash (from the "Dudley Dooright" cartoons). He's very cartoony and silly. I could say more about the plot but don't want to spoil it.

The film doesn't even try to be subtle in any way. The humor is very much the sort kids would like. But, despite being VERY cheesy and silly, it is fun and I had a few good laughs (I loved the cliff scene). The ending is pure chaos and silliness...but works. All in all, a super-silly but enjoyable romp.

Made during the "Prague Spring", which produced a burst of creativity, this movie brims with lightheartedness and wild satirical wit. It's a spoof of Westerns, not so much the John Ford type as silent-movie serials. I could go on a long time telling you my favorite jokes from it, but I won't... Lobby your local revival theater or TV station, because too few people have had the opportunity to see this utterly original movie.

An excellent satire of the Great American Way, with Lemonade Joe a "clean living" gunfighter who drinks only Kola-Loca Lemonade and convinces everyone else in town (with his gun skills) that all "real men" drink ONLY lemonade! The style of the film mirrors that of silent westerns, including humorous sped-up bar brawls and color-tinting (!). You can either root for Joe or his whiskey-drinking adversaries; it's clear that although the town "bad girl" adores Joe and wants him to "change" her, he is only using her for his cause, as indeed he is using everyone for his opportunistic goals.

Worth a look for western fans looking for a spoof that goes beyond "Blazing Saddles" and adds satire to the mix, or for anyone interested in Euro-Westerns in general for an Eastern European take on the genre.

A funny, charming, and even sometimes graceful film.