Scott LeBrun
This lively comedy-Western from Disney is largely a vehicle for the talented British comic Jim Dale, who is given the opportunity to play three roles. Jasper Bloodshy, an ornery old fart who created a town in his name, his hell raising outlaw son Wild Billy, and a son, Eli, who nobody but Jasper knew about. Eli has been working as a missionary in Philadelphia, and comes to Bloodshy when Jasper apparently perishes. The old man had a will, but the proviso is that the two sons / heirs compete in a series of gruelling races before things are settled. However, the greedy mayor (Darren McGavin) schemes to get the money for himself, with the help of various bumbling goons.Oddly enough, it's when we get to the climactic race that the movie loses some of the momentum that it's built up. While the action and the stunts are first rate, the material just isn't as humorous. A shame, because up until then, everything is played quite speedily and breathlessly. The fact that the town is basically a lawless place allows for a lot of chaos.The star laden cast easily give it everything that they've got. Don Knotts is right at home in one of his standard bumbling authority figures, complete with all of the comic actors' nervous tics and reactions. Jack Elam is perfectly cast as his nemesis. Karen Valentine (as an aspiring schoolteacher) and Debbie Lytton & Michael Sharrett (as Eli's young charges) have plenty of appeal. McGavin is simply a wonderful slimeball villain. And Dale has a ball with his three very different roles, especially old coot Jasper, who must suffer several indignities as he spies on the proceedings with his long suffering butler (John Williams).Beautiful scenery and a bouncy theme song help to make this pretty good, if not hysterical.Seven out of 10.
Seth Nelson
Howdy! It's time to talk about that rootin-tootin crazy old classic funny family Disney western live action film from 1978 (whew!), "Hot Lead and Cold Feet!" It has many stars; Don Knotts being one of them, and it's a funny film that took place in the old west! There's a funny locomotive race included as well! And the best part is the theme song: it combines the pride of a western movie theme with the retroness of the 70s; in this case, for a second, it sounds like that "da-da-da-da" part from Stevie Wonder's "Living For The City!" LOLI've seen this first on DVD because I was learning French and I needed a fresh start (as always), and I thought this movie was awesome, considering that Disney was about to go down to meltdown mode major in a few years after the film was released. My family thought the same as well."Hot Lead and Cold Feet" is awesome!!!!!10 stars
jerryleeharrah
This is the funniest comedy western movie. Walt was a visionary. I hope one day another generation can appreciate this movie. Good versus evil, it will always be great to watch. Don is comedic magician. And one man plays 3 roles and does an excellent job. A must see A+
Delphian
A family film to be sure, Hot Lead and Cold Feet provides antics to please the children and bemuse the adults. It makes attempts at being a western but is overridden by its slapstick comedy and wholesome family values.The film focuses on a contest rigged by Jasper Bloodsky (Jim Dale), founder of the small western town of Bloodsky, to his twin sons Wild Billy and Eli (both also played by Jim Dale). The problem? Eli is a Bible-thumping preacher from the East and Wild Billy is the region's most feared outlaw.Possible spoiler belowDespite Billy's best attempts to rig the race in his favor, Eli always manages to overcome the obstacles (such as a canoe with holes drilled in it) to be only one step behind Billy. As the race continues, the two orphans that Eli brought with him, discover that Mayor Ragsdale (Darren McGavin) plans on killing both brothers and keeping the money for himself.So the kids - along with their pretty school teacher - go on the rescue. After many humorous mishaps they find the brothers and tell them what's going to happen to them. Several hours later, Wild Billy rides into town the victor, just as the mayor is taking off with the money. They catch the mayor, and Billy agrees to share the money with Eli; and they set forth to change the wild town into a respectable community.end of spoilerAnd - as in all good Disney films - they lived happily ever after.It should be noted that the truly outstanding performance of Don Knotts as the sheriff made the movie. His nervous mannerisms and cocky style bring back memories of him as Barney on The Andy Griffith Show. Perhaps the best scenes in this film are the shoot-outs between the sheriff and his one-eyed nemesis Rattlesnake (Jack Elam). Something always happens on the count of three to prevent them from shooting each other.If you are worried about the violence of today's films, pick up a copy of Hot Lead and Cold Feet, sit down with the kids and rest assured knowing the harshest language you'll hear will be `gosh darnit.' This is truly the wholesome family entertainment Disney is known for.
AD
