Monday Movie Madness: The Villain!

Hello, Posse!

bling.

I am still enjoying time with my bonus daughter, Mary. I use "bonus" because I don't like "step" daughter, she is a added joy so that makes her a bonus! However, I feel odd just calling her my "daughter" because she is 24 years old and this is the first time we have met in person. We have having a great time building our relationship. So while I enjoy this time with her, my blogs may be a bit short and to the point, less of my usual rambling.

Today's movie is nothing like anything else I have introduced to you. This is a western (okay, that part is normal) starring Kirk Douglas, Ann-Margret, and Arnold Schwarzenegger with a supporting cast that is just amazing which includes: Paul Lynde, Strother Martin, Jack Elam, Mel Tillis, Ruth Buzzi, Foster Brooks, and Robert Tessier. If you were a child of the 70s you will more than likely know all of these faces and seeing them will bring back fond memories.

This movie can be found under two different titles, The Villain or Cactus Jack. I am just going with The Villain for this blog. I would love to hear one day about how this movie even came to be. While this is not in my top favorite westerns to watch, it is something I think everyone needs to see at least once. It is a decidedly screwball comedy that is just plain fun.

A villain, Cactus Jack (Douglas) has been hired to rob the beautiful Charming Jones (Ann-Margret). She is being escorted from town to her father by a not-too-bright cowboy named Handsome Stranger (Schwarzenegger). She is taking a large sum of money from the town banker to her father to fund a joint prospecting claim. The trouble is, the banker is the one who hired the villain to rob her so he could take the entire claim for himself.

As the pair travel through the west, Charming makes several passes at Handsome but he does not notice her interest him. Cactus Jack keeps trying to set traps to catch the travelers but nothing works out for him. (It brings to mind the coyote and the roadrunner cartoons). Will Handsome Stranger ever realize Charming is flirting with him? Will the pair make it back to her father safely with the money? Will Cactus Jack finally hatch a plan that works . . . . you'll have to watch to find out.

Movie Snack Recipe

Since we have a western with an Austrian born actor, I thought we should try and Austrian recipe for the movie snack recipe today. This meatball recipe comes from Günstig Kochen (cook cheap). (<--- click to go to their site) Their recipe only take a few ingredients and about 30 minutes to make. Gotta love those quick recipes!

You can easily make this vegan with a plant based "hamburger meat" and use ground flaxseed with a little water in place of the egg. Of course make sure your Worcestershire sauce is vegan if making this for your plant based friends. Traditional brands are not vegan but there are some brands available that are.

Remember

Many great western movies started out as great western books. If you are looking for wholesome entertainment, the Into the West Saga Serial book collection is a must read. Just go to Stephen's Books (<--- click here) to check out all the titles currently on sale.

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But now you know what time it is, posse. It's time to grab your snacks and settle in for another great western movie!