Rustlers’ Rhapsody ** (1985, Tom Berenger, G W Bailey, Marilu Henner, Andy Griffith, Fernando Rey, Sela Ward, Patrick Wayne) – Classic Movie Review 7618

Writer-director Hugh Wilson’s 1985 comedy Western Rustlers’ Rhapsody stars likeable Tom Berenger, who is at home on the range here as Rex O’Herlihan, the greatest cowboy crooner of all time, in this affectionate, easy going spoof of Forties Western serials. Alas, Berenger’s star career was disappointing short. He needed more impactful films than these. It took only $6,090,497 at the US box office.

Rustlers’ Rhapsody is far too slight, but there is some fun to be found from the eager turns of a bunch of actors clearly having a good time.

The thin peg for this is a story about Berenger arriving in town and protecting the settlers against evil cattle baron Colonel Ticonderoga (Andy Griffith) and the railroad boss (Fernando Rey).

technicllay, it is a spaghetti Western, since it is filmed at Tabernas, Almería, Andalucía, Spain.

The main cast are Tom Berenger, G W Bailey, Marilu Henner, Andy Griffith, Fernando Rey, Sela Ward, Patrick Wayne, Brant von Hoffman, Christopher Malcolm, Jim Carter and Paul Maxwell, with Hugh Wilson in a director cameo as Complaining John.

The poster gets the film’s tone right: ‘Rex O’Herlihan. The great big western hero. To a lawless land he brought truth, justice, some fancy riding and wonderful outfits.’

Rustlers’ Rhapsody is directed by Hugh Wilson, runs 88 minutes, is released by Paramount, is written by Hugh Wilson, is shot by José Luis Alcaine, is produced by David Giler and Walter Hill, scored by Steve Dorff, and designed by Gil Parrondo.

Hugh Wilson died at 74 on 14 January 2018. He is also the director of Police Academy, Burglar, The First Wives Club, Blast from the Past, Dudley Do-Right and Mickey. He is also the creator of TV’s WKRP in Cincinnati (1978). He usually gave himself a cameo in his films.

© Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 7618

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Rustlers’ Rhapsody (1985) stars likeable Tom Berenger as Rex O’Herlihan.