Director Hugh Wilson goes from Police Academy to Rustlers’ Rhapsody. The cult western satire debuts on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber.
The Film
Sometimes you get a director who cashes in all his/her proverbial chips to make a dream project. After the massive success of Police Academy, Writer/Director Hugh Wilson decided to use that success to make Rustlers’ Rhapsody. The satire of Serial Westerns of yesteryear played with a very reflexive nod was almost too adroit of a film for audiences that at the time. The result is a charming, smart and affectionate comedy that’s box office failure belies a smash hit of a film waiting to be rediscovered.
Rex O’Herlihan (Tom Berenger) is a singing cowboy star of a bygone era. Our narrator at the beginning of the film asks us what would happen if a O’Herlihan adventure were made today? Cue the modern color photography, the crisp sound, the stereo orchestral score, and imperfections aplenty. O’Herlihan’s adventure into the small town of Oakwood Estates is anything but typical. Mixed in with modern anachronisms and old-fashioned cliché stereo types, O’Herlihan has never been on an adventure like this.
One of the delights of discovering Rustlers’ Rhapsody is the unexpected comedic moments of laying into or skewering the conventions of the Western. Yes, there needs to be some understanding of the conventions of the genre cheesiest iterations, but Wilson and his cast never make it impossible to enjoy or laugh out loud in moments. Watching Berenger’s O’Herlihan trying to explain to GW Bailey’s drunkard turned wannabe sidekick Pete he’s a virgin is some of the best comedic acting of the era. Or O’Herlihan having a duel of whose “the most good guy” versus fellow good guy Wrangler Bob Barber played to square chin perfection by Patrick Wayne (yes, progeny of John).
There are few films of the era that are as impeccably cast as Rustlers’ Rhapsody. Like Silverado the film stars a who’s who of acting legends or soon to be stars. Berenger is perfect as the wholesome, knowing, and sometimes bewildered Rex O’Herlihan (perfectly named). Though its GW Bailey as Pete who maybe the comedic assassin of the film (“we’s just sharing your roots!”). Going from the truly awful Captain Harris in the Police Academy movie to this charmer of a doofus shows Bailey’s prowess as an actor. Though not to be out done both Fernando Rey (yes, that Fernando Rey) and Andy Griffith (yes, Mayberry’s own) turn in pitch perfect performances as the Spaghetti Western Villain and the Town’s Cattle Barron. The duo get more than their share of great moments, though Griffith’s specifics haven’t aged well the man still has pitch perfect timing. Add in Sela Ward and Marilu Henner in small but vital roles as the stereotypical women in westerns that get their standout moments.
Rustlers’’ Rhapsody at 88 minutes is a breeze of a film that never stops being entertaining and a minimum amusing. Wilson’s film is a deep dive into the obscure dissection of the weird conventions of westerns. It is also a beautiful love letter to Westerns wrapped in a comedic package that one doesn’t need to be a fan of the genre to enjoy. One can see why many did not see it but a film with this much to enjoy and love it’s a shame that it hasn’t become at a minimum a midnight cult film of high regard.
The Transfer
The all-new HD Master – From a 4K Scan of the 35mm Original Camera Negative is an excellent best foot forward for the film. Anyone discovering the film as I have on this edition will be delighted by the razor-sharp image that has nary a scratch, dirt or any artifact through the run time of the film. The transfer gorgeously renders the sunset ombre tones with pops of technicolor vibrance with ease. One wonders if the film has ever looked as good as it does here, even in 35mm opening weekend. Bravo to Kino Lorber and Paramount for taking the time and care in giving this release a truly wonderful transfer.
The Extras
They include the following;
- NEW Audio Commentary by Heath Holland, Host of Cereal at Midnight Podcast with Max Allan Collins, the Author of Road to Perdition
- Theatrical Trailer
The all-new Audio Commentary by Heath Holland, Host of Cereal at Midnight Podcast with Max Allan Collins, the Author of Road to Perdition, begins with their credentials and how Collins is not just a crime author but western one too. Some of the details include the reasons why so many B-movie (or outright bad) Westerns were the only thing sold to TV; the work and the career of writer/director Hugh Wilson – and how he got to make this unique film; the resurgence of the careers of people like Hopalong Cassidy, Gene Autry during the 1950s because of the popularity of the Westerns on TV; the various locations they used in Spain – the same locations that Leone’s Man with no Name Trilogy and many Italian westerns shot; the work of Marilu Henner – who received a Golden Raspberry nomination; the work and career of Andy Griffith; the work and career of Tom Berenger; a side conversation about western comedic sidekicks who had vantriquilist dummies; a great conversation about Mickey Spillane and Collins’ friendship – which lead to a western script Spillane wrote for John Wayne; the casting of Tom Berenger and who Wilson wanted initially for Rex; the small western resurgence in 1985 and the various films were released – Pale Rider, Silverado, Lust in the Dust, and this film; the work of Patrick Wayne; a larger discussion of the comedy that they feel works and doesn’t throughout the film; a larger discussion of the supposed cutting down the film; a larger discussion of the issues of the film; a larger discussion of the various troupes and clichés that the film either uses or lampoons; and much more.
Rounding out the special features are trailers for Rustlers’ Rhapsody (1:23); Spaceballs (2:36); Uncle Buck (1:59); Bustin’ Loose (1:29); The Nude Bomb (2:48); Fletch (1:35); The Experts (1:32); Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid (2:01); Last of the Dogmen (2:52); Amazon Women on the Moon (1:32)
The Final Thought
Kino Lorber continues to surprise with their release of deep cut gems like Rustlers’ Rhapsody. Highest Recommendations!!!