Yul Brynner stars in this western comedy along with Richard Crenna from the pen of Louis L’Amour. I’d imagine that L’Amour’s book wasn’t as comedic but the film also gave a certain television star a chance to break away from the character he’d become associated with.
U.S. Marshall Ben Cowan (Richard Crenna) is going out to the desert to serve a warrant on his good friend Catlow (Yul Brynner). Unfortunately, he encounters an Indian and ends up with an arrow in his leg. Catlow and his man Merridew (Jeff Corey) find the Marshall and hold off on their cattle drive until he’s well again, losing valuable time. Catlow has been gathering “maverick” cattle and putting his brand on them.
This has angered the local cattle barons and they’ve bought and paid for the arrest warrant that Cowan is to serve. Cowan is an honest Marshall and following the law even though he doesn’t kowtow to the barons. The barons have a backup plan because they’ve hired Miller (Leonard Nimoy), a bounty hunter, to see that justice is served by hanging him. Miller catches up to Catlow’s band because they had to stop for Ben.
Ben overhears all of this since Miller doesn’t see him there. The grinning Catlow sneaks out a gun and has a shootout with Miller, but both men escape. Ben heads back home but Catlow goes to Mexico to his fiery girlfriend Rosita (Daliah Lavi) with plans to rob a Mexican gold shipment.
Ben follows Catlow, rescues a Mexican soldier, and is in the dept of the Generals family. This includes Christina (Jo Ann Pflug), the soldier’s sister, who takes a shine to Ben. Catlow has other plans for the General’s mule train full of gold and Miller is always lurking around seeking revenge on Catlow and Cowan.
Leonard Nimoy mentioned Catlow as having a role that was very far from his pointy-eared Vulcan. It should come as no surprise that the film sees the light of day again just about the time that Nimoy once again reprises the role of Spock in a big-screen re-imagining of the popular series. The film aims to be close to the parody western genre but takes itself too seriously sometimes.
It also seems a bit long for a comedy and should’ve gotten to the gold caper instead of spending so much time in the desert with Catlow. Yul Brynner is having a helluva time as the title character though and Richard Crenna also seems to be enjoying himself as his foil. Nimoy unfortunately really doesn’t get to have much fun in the villainous role, but I’d imagine it was a change of pace for him.
For being third billed, he sinks into the shadows for most of the picture as Crenna and Brynner have all the fun. Some nice supporting turns by Jeff Corey and Daliah Lavi only add to the fun. I’d imagine that L’Amour’s book is much different than the film that was made from it. It does have its down points but it was a fun romp in the old west.
Catlow is presented in anamorphic widescreen (1.85:1) and is enhanced for 16x9 televisions. The only special feature is the 2-minute trailer.
Catlow isn’t the best western comedy out there, but there’s nostalgia to seeing Brynner in the cowboy hat again. Crenna seems more of a dandy than a Marshall, but he and Brynner have a good time. Nimoy doesn’t live long or prosper, but no doubt loved the change of pace from the characters he was typed as.
Catlow is now available at Amazon . As of yet, there is not a release date for the UK. Visit the DVD database for more information.
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