The Over-the-Hill Gang

When newspaperman and mayoral candidate Ricky Nelson finds himself the target of his crooked rivals, father-in-law Pat O'Brien gives a call to his old partners in the Texas Rangers, Walter Brennan, Edger Buchanan, and Chill Wills. The only problem is that they're all old as dirt and very rusty when it comes to their law-enforcement skills, making them a laughing stock, but not for long.

Although this has a great concept, it's a little too tongue-in-cheek and devoid of action most of the time. Then again, how much action can you expect from a group of elderly actors? Still, the climax is decent.

A great cast, also including Jack Elam, Andy Devine, and Gypsy Rose Lee (who died soon after), helps make this made-for-television movie way more entertaining than it otherwise would have been.

The next year brought a somewhat superior sequel, followed nineteen years later by a second, Once Upon A Texas Train, in which Elam replaced Buchanan.

We've got the classic western theme. A crooked mayor rules a town by fear with his crooked sheriff and crooked judge. When the young newspaper owner (Ricky Nelson with his real-life wife) runs against him, he doesn't stand a chance.

When his father-in-law (Pat O'Brien), a retired Texas Ranger comes for a visit, he decides to do something about it, but soon learns he'll need help .... so he calls in his old Ranger troop, in the names of Walter Brennan, Chill Wills, and Edgar Buchannan (Uncle Joe on Petticoat Junction). THEY ALL soon learn they're not up to the task, and so they have to change tactics to outwitting the bad guys.

It's a pleasure to see these fine actors on screen together, and on the other side we have Andy Devine and Jack Elam. And we see a young William Smith near the end as a bad guy. Look up William Smith ... the guy had an impressive life!

This film essentially begins with a retired Texas Ranger by the name of "Captain Oren Hayes" (Pat O'Brien) traveling to Nevada to see his daughter "Hannah Rose" (Kristin Harmon) and her husband "Jeff Rose" (Ricky Nelson). When he gets there, he discovers that his son-in-law is running for town mayor but is being bullied by the incumbent who has the backing of a heavy-handed sheriff named "Clyde Barnes" (Jack Elam) and a corrupt judge by the name of "Amos Polk" (Andy Devine). So, after sizing up the situation, Captain Hayes decides to call upon his old colleagues to help out. What he doesn't realize, however, is just how much they've aged since their days of glory. Now, rather than reveal any more, I will just say that this was a cute little comedy which utilized a number of prominent actors who have long since passed their prime with Walter Brennan (as "Nash Crawford") and Chill Wills ("Gentleman George Askew") standing out the most, in my opinion. Be that as it may, I think that those viewers who are looking for a decent Western comedy could certainly do a lot worse, and I have rated it accordingly. Slightly above average.

Made for TV and it looks it...they musta used the Gunsmoke lot...lots of great classic old grandpa actors...like Andy Devine as a villain...Jack Elam...which eye do you look at?....and Ricky...It was also GYPSY ROSE LEES final film...she died within a year...you never woulda thought by seeing her here...she looked pretty good. Pat O'Brien...Chill Wills...Edgar (clear your throat)Buchanan and GRANPA McCOY himself WALTER BRENNAN....the villains were really funny. Its fun and nostalgic...and that fight scene with Ricky dodging those fake stunt man hits was the best scene for laffs. Available now on Ebay for one cent plus shipping or pick one up a DOLLAR TREE or 99 cent store near you....

What a nostalgic collection of old-time character actors, from Walter Brennen to Chill Wills to Andy Devine, et al. And since when do geezers headline a flick like they do here. Surely not in typical Hollywood, which here it ain't.

Seems a crooked mayor (Andrews) and his gang of toughs in the Old West want to eliminate his promising young competitor (Nelson) in the next election. So the handwriting is on the wall, except a retired old Texas Ranger (O'Brien) sends for his elderly Ranger mates, and maybe together they can free the town. But can they, especially when it's ugly Jack Elam heading up the much younger town toughs. Well, if the geezers can't outdraw them, maybe they can outwit them.

The movie's real appeal is with a nostalgic look at some great old-time supporting players. The plot is a clever one, but the chuckles are few and limited to the geezers. Plus, the storyline often doesn't blend well with the humor. Then too, dropping in a malt shop idol like Ricky Nelson and his Gidget-like wife doesn't help, but does add young folks for marquee purposes. Mostly, the twosome just stand around looking pretty. But catch that lingering final shot that serves as an iconic epitaph to those outstanding careers. Maybe it does lack an expected sunset. Still, the wordless scene remains a fitting way to memorialize a great bunch of old time movie vets.