Rustlers' Rhapsody (1985)

As others have said, this movie is a gentle, loving, homage/send-up of early Westerns. The basic premise is what would happen if a '40s B Western were updated to modern realism. The results are very funny. "Rex O'Herlihan, The Singin' Cowboy", played terrifically by Tom Berringer, pulls a traveling armoire (you gotta get those outfits from somewhere) stacked with white hats, terrific outfits and guitars. He spends time washing and ironing (someone's gotta do it) and is through-and-through a "good guy". There are so many scenes and lines that we love:Spoilers may follow:It's the old theme of Sheep Herders vs Cattle Ranchers. Andy Griffith is terrific as the power-mad cattle baron "Colonel Ticonderoga". You hear lots of cows, but you never see one. Blackie is one of his men, in town to give the sheep herders a bad time.Blackie (black hat) in the saloon: "I smell sheep!" Sheep herders son, standing up and opening his jacket to demonstrate: I'm-a not wearin' a gun, and I'm not going to do ANYTHING that in ANY way ..." "Blam blam blam" Blackie shoots him. Real Estate Guy: "You can kill me too, Blackie, but it's just this kind of violence that drives down property values here in Oakwood Estates" "Blam!" Property values! ha ha haBlackie to Rex: "You look like one of those fellers who's attracted to other men" Rex: "How a person dresses is nobody's business but his or her own" Politically correct Rex.I guess you have to see it to appreciate it. Along with the general send-up of early westerns, I see a sub-text of the difficulty men have in being "good" while navigating this difficult world. That may be a stretch, but I see it. Great movie!!!

I don't like actual westerns, yet, two of my top five comedies are western spoofs. Blazing Saddles and Rustlers Rhapsody are incredibly funny movies for completely different reasons.Andy Griffith's Colonel Ticonderoga goes down as one of the greatest comic performances I've ever seen (and I've seen it time and time again). It's a great movie that gets better the more you watch it.I actually saw this in the theater with my dad back in '84. I recall him laughing really hard and I, all of 14, kinda laughing, but, not getting the sophisticated humor. So, when I got a bit older, I watched again and MAN! am I glad I did.Definitely check out this movie. It is, indeed, available on DVD, but, probably not for rent. You will have to buy it. I saw it in the Westerns section at Borders...way to categorize, there, guys. Nice work.Just goes to show that not enough people have seen this great film. Hugh Wilson, with WKRP and this, deserves Hall of Fame status.

I loved how this movie portrays Andy Griffith's character as a man who's sexual orientation was questionable. he has some very funny lines that can almost slip by you if you're not paying attention to the way they are delivered and to who they are delivered to. It takes several minutes into the movie before you start to realize That 'ol Colonel Ticonderoga is doing more at his ranch than just handling cattle. He gets sassy in some scenes too. I find it to be a total 180 from the old Andy Griffith show as far as his character is concerned. It seems he will always be remembered as the "Sherriff of Mayberry", but if you love that show you must see this movie!!! It shows Andy's comedic ability that seemed to vanish early on in the old TV show and as Ben Matlock never really was utilized much at all.

This movie is a delight from start to finish. From the hilarious 50's B&W B-movie flip-flop to present day color realism gag at the beginning, to the big bash and ride into the sunset at the end!! Tom Berenger shows his acting versatility once again, this time out as Rex O'Hurlihan (The Singin' Cowboy). There's sight gags and punchlines galore and one cannot help but love the title character as well as his (about to become) new sidekick. You'll split your sides at the demise of "Blackie" and the scene immediately following at the Colonel's ranch house. I'm sure there's many a young boy imagined that he could be someone like Rex O'Hurlihan. Ride into town, defeat the bad guys, then ride on to the next town (he's on a circuit, its his karma) and repeat the process. Why the critics consistently panned this movie is beyond me. There's great performances (Andy Griffith is great) all around and if one cannot believe in all thats good (& that good will always overcome evil)....then there's not much hope for mankind or the planet! **********A TREAT FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY**********