Rex le Magnifique

This 1985 film became a family favorite as soon as we taped it from a TV broadcast 20 years ago - it ran as part of an interesting Western double-header on City-TV (R. Rhapsody, followed by Silverado, another sort of tribute western, albeit with more serious themes). In time, we acquired both on VHS, replacing our creaky, worn-out tape.

I didn't realize how funny Andy Griffith was till I saw him in this flick. Sela Ward sparkles, and looks like a teenager, but she was actually born in 1956. She recently performed in "House, M.D", still looking 10-15 years younger than her age.

Some of the funniest lines remain in our family vernacular: "See somebody about yer hearing"; "She's probably out riding Wildfire"; "That leg will have to come off for sure"; "Who-oo iiiiis it?".

There are 2 brilliant scenes with Berenger and Patrick Wayne - 1 turns more sinister, just briefly.. listen for the 'Psycho' background music.

Hollywood's not making Westerns any more - but we could argue that they're not really making comedies either. Why? the art of 'wit' or 'satire' has sadly been lost. *sigh* You can see both here.

Why would a really funny movie like Rustler's Rhapsody get passed over and over and over?

Because most times these over-the-top parodies stumble all over themselves, then fall flat. RUSTLER's RHAPSODY hangs right in there, start to finish.

It starts with a really b-list cast---Tom Berenger as the lead, G.W. Bailey as the town-drunk, Marilu Henner as the saloon girl…..but the basics of comedy, strictly applied set this Wild West Farce right there with Blazing Saddles.

Andy Griffith has NEVER BEEN funnier, as the effeminate cattle-baron, set on taking over the dusty old town.

Take, Tom Mix, add the Marx Bros, and a little something extra, and you've got Rustler's Rhapsody. A must see.

Having grown up watching the old Black and White westerns, early TV serials and a hundred Good Guys vs Bad Guy movies, this one was certainly a fantastic culmination. From first to last, one cannot help but split a rib while viewing it. Despite it featuring major star Tom Berenger as Rex O'Herlihan the real headliner should have been G.W.Bailey. Having watched him in dozens of movies where he is pretty much the heavy, this role was a surprising and refreshing change. In the hilarious film called " Rustler's Rhapsody " he not only is the narrator, he also plays the 'side-kick' Peter. Once you get into this western tale, you become privy to the change of story where "maybe all the bad guys weren't such cowards." Throughout the movie, one is treated to all the cliques of the past and some which create humor in their updated use. If you can identify with the early westerns, you are in for a real treat when you see the ending and a guest appearance by Patrick Wayne as Bob Barber. A remarkable movie in any case and one which definitely made the Classic's list. Andy Griffith and Fernando Rey also add panache to this great addition to our western lore. ****

Gentle and loving send-up of the Singing Cowboy westerns of the 30's and 40's with Tom Berenger playing it absolutely straight as a "good guy," complete with more matching ensembles than Oscar de la Renta. Berenger is very good; Andy Griffith and Fernando Rey are suitably sinister as the "Colonels"; both Sela Ward and Marilu Henner are gorgeous and funny. G.W. Bailey steals the show as the town drunk/sidekick/narrator.

It's clear the filmmakers loved the genre they were spoofing. An especially poignant touch is the closing theme music "The Last of the Silver Screen Cowboys," sung by Rex Allen Jr., the son of Rex Allen, who starred in many of the films which are lampooned in this picture.

Your kids will enjoy it, but not as much as you will -- especially if you grew up watching all those wonderful old Westerns on tv.

"Rustlers' Rhapsody" is a homage to Western movies, a sort of Luke Lucky, actually a satire to the Western movies. This film shows all the clichés usually presented in this genre in a funny and laconic way. There are the characters of the bar tender, the corrupt sheriff, the drunkard, the prostitute in the saloon, the powerful farmer, the 'bad guys' and the 'good guy'. The acting and the direction are very reasonable and Hugh Wilson is the director of the hilarious "Police Academy". In the end this movie is a forgettable and funny entertainment indicated for fans of Western flicks. My vote is six.

Title (Brazil): "Vaqueiro Cantador" ("Singer Cowboy")