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Low-grade TV Western
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This is a petty crummy made-for-TV Western with low production values (the kind where a boom mike is seen wobbling overhead or a shadow of one on a wall) and dodgy acting.
It’s supposed to be about some gold shipped from Mexico to Texas which various hoodlums are after. The bad men are brutal and the good men are stupid. In fact there’s the dumbest ever sheriff (Corbin Timbrook); even when told what’s going on, he just stands there looking puzzled. Doh. The chief bad man is a portly John Castellanos, very Spanish looking. There’s a crooked judge (Michael Gregory), the obligatory whore with a heart of gold (Samantha Lockwood) and little kid (Shane Ryan Savage) and so on. No one memorable anyway.
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“The day they will never forget.” You’ll forget it though.
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The cast are all lesser-known TV actors. The star, Lorenzo Lamas, had been, aged 10, an ‘Indian boy’ in 100 Rifles, a fun Western of 1969.
Return of the Outlaws was written and directed by a certain Chuck Walker, which I guess is a pretty Texan name.
It was at least filmed in Texas and not Spain. But I suppose these days filming in Spain would be more expensive than Texas.
They hi-jack a very handsome Wells, Fargo stage coach, all shiny red like a child’s idea of a fire truck.
That’s about it, really.
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3 Responses
How nice it must be to stand on the sidelines, wait til a film is released, watch it, and then always look like an expert by reviewing the work of the director, actors and crew who were all working under unreal budgetary constraints which constrains everything you see in a movie. The budget of this film was under 100,000 dollars. What folks should be saying is, “DAMN, can you believe they made a film of that quality for that number??? And a “period piece” at that!!! The acting really isn’t bad and they shot in the original “Alamo” set … props, livestock, stunts, several viable Hollywood names, stagecoaches, wardrobe, hardware (guns), a script with a believable story and ending – some very believable actors including Lorenzo Lamas, soap veterans John Castellanos and Michael Gregory, Police Academy stalwart Leslie Easterbrook … Peter Sherayko who portrayed “Texas Jack” in Tombstone! And the “dumb sheriff” you alluded to is Corbin Timbrook, one of the most respected actors, film-makers, and producers in Hollywood. I normally don’t call out cowardly pen-artists who try to make themselves look smart by tearing down what other people create but – I don’t know – maybe I was in a bad mood today! (By the way, I am the Director, Chuck Walker) and I just took it personally!!!
Alas, the founder of this blog passed over one year ago… I am sure he would have been very happy to exchange a few ideas with you about your work.
I do not have seen your movie yet unfortunately. Sincerely.
Hi, Mr. Walker. I second what Jean-Marie says. Jeff would have enjoyed corresponding with you. He was passionate about the Western genre, and his knowledge leaves me in the dust ! ! !
I disagree with Jeff about a number of my favorite Westerns. He had strong opinions, but based on his responses to comments, and based on the words of people who knew him, I know he always enjoyed a good discussion. If he could talk with you now, he’d treat you with respect.
I’m not familiar with your movie, but I’d be interested to see it, and maybe other films you have done.