Movie: The Over-the-Hill Gang

This Review Reveals Minor Details About the Plot.

Sunset Reunion

Plot Overview

The burgeoning town of Boulder City, Nevada has its small potatoes political trouble when incumbent Mayor Nard Lundy (Edward Andrews) facing reelection is opposed by news­paper owner Jeff Rose (Ricky Nelson) who's not averse to exposing corruption. As he's about to receive an unofficial visit from Sheriff Clyde Barnes (Jack Elam) and his men exercising “friendly persuasion” to get him to desist, his father-in-law former Texas Ranger Captain Oren Hayes (Pat O'Brien) unexpectedly arrives for a visit on the stage with the mail. What follows is an old story similar to one recounted by author John Fowles:

Mal is an Old English borrowing from Old Norwegian and was brought to us by the Vikings. It originally meant “speech,” but since the only time the Vikings went in for that womanish activity was to demand some­thing at axe­blade, it came to mean “tax” or “payment in tribute.” One branch of the Vikings went south and founded the mafia in Sicily; but another—and by this time mal was spelled mail—were busy starting their own protection rackets on the Scottish border. If one cherished one's crops or one's daughter's virginity one paid mail to the neighbor­hood chieftains; and the victims, in the due course of an expensive time, called it black mail. (211)

Passengers alighting from the stage were each given three poker chips compliments of Mayor Lundy to spend at the casino and told to vote for him in the election. “Vote,” replied the captain. “I can't vote. I don't even live here. I just came here to see my daughter and her husband.” Replied the electioneer, “Good. You got family here. It's just the same as residence.”

Facing a foe of united force the captain tele­graphs for reinforce­ments. His first pal was known for his fast draw. His second was a scout. He had “eyes like an eagle in the day and at night like an owl.” His third had “spotless character, courtly manners, and spit-and-polished appearance.” When they arrive dusty on the trail, singing a prairie ditty, he does a double-take. They've all gotten older. “A man never really sees him­self till he looks at the friends he once knew.”

They set up a political debate. Quick draw Nash Crawford (Walter Brennan) stands in for the peace loving news­paper­man. The sheriff stands in for the mayor. The moderator is a man of few words … “DRAW!” Youth wins out and the Over-the-Hill Gang gets laughed out of town.

Ideology

Rather than funk their obligations, they devise a new plan along the lines of, (Prov. 20:29) “The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the grey head.” They may not have the physical prowess they once had, but age would have granted them wisdom. They will use their wits to subdue the bad guys.

What follows is a (rigged) demonstration of fancy shooting, catching the bullet in one's teeth after it ricochets off an elevated object. Words whispered in the right ears whittle down the deputies, but the mayor “imported entirely a new staff of associates, deadliest guns in the west today.” The old geezers set up a controlled match where they can pull the strings.

Production Values

“” (TV Movie 1969) was directed by Jean Yarbrough. It was written by Jameson Brewer and Leonard Gold­berg. It stars Walter Brennan, Edgar Buchanan, Andy Devine, Pat O'Brien, Ricky Nelson and Chill Wills. It boasts one of the oldest aggregate casts ever gathered together for the TV screen. Gypsy Rose Lee, playing a 'has been' show girl gave the best performance, but every­one did a good job as expected.

This movie was not rated but it fits in with regular TV fare. These old actors are a sight for sore eyes. The burlesque lady was dolled up real nice, and all the broads sported bouf­fant hairdos straight from the 60s. The west never looked more accommodating to women. There are a number of fades to black & back again to allow the insertion of commercials, but they would make handy places to pause the picture should one desire to. Runtime is 1¼hours.

Review Conclusion w/a Christian's Recommendation

This movie represents a wide range of generations and as such would make a good one for family viewing. It exemplifies the value of courage in face of opposition. Dare I say it, they don't make 'em like this anymore.

Movie Ratings

Action factor: Decent action scenes. Suitability for children: Suitable for all ages. Special effects: Average special effects. Video Occasion: Good for Groups. Suspense: Predictable. Overall movie rating: Three and a half stars out of five.

Works Cited

Scripture quoted from the King James Version. Pub. 1611, rev. 1769. Software.

Fowles, John. The French Lieutenant's Woman. Copy­right © 1969 by John Fowles. Boston: Little, Brown and Company. Print.