Review of Texas Across the River (1966) by Lisa M — 19 Jul 2009

This movie is so offbeat, so silly, and so well-written that it defies logic. How is it possible to incorporate 60's secret agent music into a western and hope for it to work? I don't know, but all I can say is that it works in spades! Alain Delon holds his own remarkably well in a rare comedic role, and, of course, Joey Bishop and Dean Martin are so comfortable together that they are funny even when they aren't speaking. Everything works in this, especially the little "pas de trois" toward the end when each of the three characters is a line or two behind the others--classic and great execution. And the lines, like "I do not laugh at your pain, but...the location!" and "Arborarh, haar!" have taken on a life of their own within our household, and there are lots more to take from this movie. The only downside is that the retakes are badly done--guess the studio didn't want them to look like they were part of the movie?

Get ready for a silly ride. Oh, and check out Stuart Anderson's face as he sails over the balcony--it is worth re-running a few times!