BANDOLERO! —“Does it matter?” asks sheriff George Kennedy of ‘senorita’ Raquel Welch at the tail end of this 1968 western—everyone else in the cast having been killed—and she replies “Perhaps not.” That about sums up the entire movie, a hollow, profitable effort directed by Andrew V. McLaglen. Moderately interesting, thanks to the pro cast, who make what they can of a dumb array of situations and often foolish dialogue in James Lee Barrett’s screenplay.

James Stewart and Dean Martin are outlaw brothers, escaping from the law with a grungy gang, accompanied by beauteous and conveniently widowed senora Welch (her hair big enough to stir a tornado), pursued by glum sheriff Kennedy. Both Good and Bad Guys are plagued, riddled and/or chopped up by machete-wielding banditos.

Not really much action, until the violent finale. Mainly it’s talk–twaddle about honor among thieves, that sort of jive. While the three male stars and the vets in the supporting cast all play their hands without fumbling, it is amusing to hear Raquel mangle a Mexican accent and say with a straight face “This is the first time I have been in my country since I left.”

Shot in Utah (Kanab Canyon and Glen Canyon), Arizona and at ‘Alamo Village’ in Brackettville, Texas, built for 1960s The Alamo: the sets of San Antonio and the refurbished Alamo chapel are easily recognizable. Most creditable item in the $4,450,000 exercise is the pretty main theme that composer Jerry Goldsmith decorates his score with: it expresses heart the project it serves lacks. Reaped $15,700,000, the 20th most popular flick of the year, jawing 106 minutes, among a crop of mixed quality westerns.*

POP CHANEY: “You see, there are things a man ought never do — spit in church, scratch his self in front of his ma, and pick his nose. Yes, that’s what my pa learned me and it stood me in good stead.”   MACE: “I don’t imagine your pa ever mentioned shooting people, and burning their house down, and stealing, and things like that?”  POP CHANEY: “Well, I’m talking about mannerly things, Mr. Bishop. I ain’t talking about making a living.”

With Andrew Prine, Will Geer, Clint Ritchie, Sean McClory, Tom Keaton, Denver Pyle, Harry Carey Jr., Donald Barry, Rudy Diaz, Dub Taylor, Jock Mahoney, Perry Lopez and Roy Barcroft.

Ah, now I si.

* This item led the posse in ’68. Hanging on to a cultural foothold in that tumultuous year were, in order of ticket sales: Hang ’em High, 5 Card Stud, The Scalphunters, The Stalking Moon, Once Upon A Time In The West, Will Penny, Villa Rides, Firecreek, Shalako, Guns For San Sebastian, A Minute To Pray A Second To Die, Navajo Joe, Arizona Bushwhackers and Journey To Shiloh. A mostly dour lot.