The Villain (1979 film)

Infobox_Film
name = The Villain


imdb_id = 0080097
writer = Robert G. Kane
starring = Kirk Douglas
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Ann-Margret
Paul Lynde
Foster Brooks
Strother Martin
Ruth Buzzi
Jack Elam
Mel Tillis
director = Hal Needham
producer = Mort Engelberg
music = Bill Justis| distributor =
released = 1979
runtime = 89 minutes
language = English
movie_series_label=
movie_series =
awards =
budget =

"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 and in Australia 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 Slade(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.

In "Terminator 2", the rest stop where Sarah Connor, John Connor and the Terminator (Played by Arnold) stop is called "Cactus Jack's."