Cat Ballou (1965) and Blazing Saddles (1974)
These classic western spoofs—the one a hammy, hokey romp; the latter a vulgar, racy burlesque—weren’t quite as fun this time around. Probably best enjoyed among the gregarious company and contagious chuckling of Dennis or certain former in-laws.
1/2 star for the dizzying web of references that stoke my fascination with pop western mythology; for the catchy, make-your-family-crazy-humming-it-for-days-on-end “Ballad of Cat Ballou”; and for Lee Marvin and Slim Pickens.
***1/2
Spurs me on to:
- everything Lee Marvin; for starters I’ve thrown Paint Your Wagon, The Professionals, Emperor of the North Pole, and Hell in the Pacific in the Netflix queue
- Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid