City Slickers

Billy Crystal and chums Daniel Stern and Bruno Kirby are the city folk who get the chance to play at Rawhide in this winning comedy blockbuster that cleaned up at the box office. Seeking to stave off middle age, the trio join a motley group who have volunteered to drive cattle across the range under the eye of an irascible old cowboy (Jack Palance). Despite some worryingly sentimental moments of male bonding, this is an engaging, expertly played piece, which gently pokes fun at both midlife crises and the Wild West. Palance, in particular, has a ball, and picked up a best supporting actor Oscar for his performance, while director Ron Underwood, who before this was best known for the cult sci-fi film Tremors, proves to be equally adept at the gags and the large-scale, traditional western set pieces.