mark.waltz Once a part of the Texas Rangers, the four pals from "The Over the Hill Gang" reunite with their fifth old pal, the Baltimore Kid, played by Fred Astaire. His reputation sullied by a recently killed bandit of the same name, Astaire is made marshal in a corrupt town and his buddies (Walter Brennan, Edgar Buchanan, Chill Wills, Pat O'Brien) remain behind to help him out. Lana Wood plays the local bar mistress playing up to Astaire to hide corruption through the saloon, and with his friend's help, he gets through the humiliation and strives to fix the town once and for all.If the first movie was a snack cake, this one ends up being a three layer, covered in frosting and sprinkles, and with Astaire's showy performance, extra candles. Brennan has a great scene telling Astaire what's what, and with assistance from Andy Devine and Parley Baer (and return bits by Lillian Bronson and Burt Mustin), this is loaded with grit and spirit that only the fully living can understand. This wasn't the end of the road for many of these veteran players, sharing in the need for nostalgia and a throwback to decent, clean entertainment to dilute the filth on most movie screens. The ending is truly bittersweet, as true to the two film's message as there could be.

wes-connors When retiring Texas ranger Walter Brennan (as Nash Crawford) learns old pal Fred Astaire (as "The Baltimore Kid") is in trouble, he rounds up three co-stars from "The Over-the-Hill Gang" (1969) for a western sequel. Still spry, Mr. Brennan finds Chill Wills (as George Agnew) cheating at poker, Edgar Buchannan (as Jason Fitch) in a retirement home, and Andy Devine (as Amos Polk) working on a newspaper. The geriatric set is stunned to discover Mr. Astaire is on a bender, but he cleans up well. This ABC-TV Tuesday "Movie of the Week" repeats the sure-fire viewer pull Brennan and his old friends still had and, in a rare appearance, Astaire shows he's definitely not ready for the old folks home.***** The Over-the-Hill Gang Rides Again (11/17/70) George McCowan ~ Fred Astaire, Walter Brennan, Chill Wills, Edgar Buchanan

Gblakelii As far as the plot goes, "The Over the Hill Gang Rides Again" should not be compared to Westerns of its time period, but rather with those of the 1920's, 1930's and 1940's which is what this film is a tribute to. Back then you either liked Westerns or you didn't. One did not really care too much about the plot, they were for the most part rather simple and interchangeable. The story here is basically one of trying to restore the reputation of an ex Texas Ranger, played by Fred Astaire. What sets this film apart, and why the film should be reappraised is mostly due to the once in a lifetime Western film fans dream cast. Not many can compare with it(except maybe "The Bounty Killer"[1965] which had Broncho Billy Anderson, Bob Steele, John Mack Brown and Rod Cameron). OK, first of all you have Walter Brennan. He can be found in Westerns as early as 1927 with "Ridin Rowdy" and then later in classics like "Red River"(1948), "The Far Country"(1955), "Rio Bravo"(1959), "Support Your Local Sheriff"(1969) and his not to be forgotten Oscar winning role in "The Westerner"(1940) in which he played Judge Roy Bean. Speaking of Judge Roy Bean, the actor who portrayed him in the same titled early 1950's TV series, Edgar Buchanan is next in the cast line-up. His credits include "When the Daltons Rode"(1940), "Abilene Town"(1946), "Shane"(1953), "The Comancheros"(1961) and "Ride the High Country"(1962). Lana Wood may not be a household name, but not only was she in one of the most well known Westerns of all time, "The Searchers"(1956), but also in the remake, which was titled "GrayEagle"(1977). Next in line is Chill Wills, who by himself, can make any film fun. His presence can be felt in "Way Out West"(1937), "Western Union"(1941), "Rio Grande"(1950), "The Alamo"(1960) and "Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid"(1973). Then there's Andy Devine who was in "Destry Rides Again"(1932) with Tom Mix, "Stagecoach"(1939), "Two Rode Together"(1961), "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance"(1962) and played the sidekick in the TV & radio series "Wild Bill Hickock". And rounding out the cast of Western vets is the actor who played the part of Chester in the radio version of "Gunsmoke", Parley Baer. It should also be mentioned that Andy Devine acted with Buchanan previously in "When the Daltons Rode" and Chill Wills had appeared with Brennan before in "The Westerner". And as a real curio, making his debut in a Western film is Fred Astaire, who had teamed with Brennan before also, in a non Western, "The Story of Irene and Vernon Castle"(1939). The closest Astaire had come to a Western was in the "Daddy Long Legs"(1955) DREAM SEQUENCE playing a Texas millionaire wearing a cowboy hat and boots! Did Fred ever sport a mustache before? Yes, in the BABBITT & THE BROMIDE # from "Ziegfield Follies"(1946) and in the CLAP YO HANDS # from "Funny Face"(1957). As a final note, the same year that Mr. Astaire acted in his only Western, his dancing rival Gene Kelly participated in HIS only Western, "The Cheyenne Social Club", as director!

classicalenjoyment With the all star cast helps to make this a good movie. It has already been mentioned that the movie was transferred from television into movie form. The transfers that I have seen are not the best, but once you get into the movie you forget to look at the quality of the movie and begin watching it.Fred Astaire plays a good part in this film. The film was made in his later years so, you won't be able to enjoy the smooth dances of Astaire's earlier movies. Still, he plays a good part as a drunk and as a fading hero. I really enjoyed the film and the parts that everyone in the cast played.Other than the old-style television viewing, I have no bones against the movie. I'd say it is certainly worth the money...and don't miss the movie before this one. "The Over the Hill Gang" is a good movie in its own right, perhaps even better than the sequel.