Page 30 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 108

30 Issue #108 January 2022 www.sportsenergynews.com

In Reel Time

1969: A Great Year for Westerns

quicker); a half-Yaqui, half Alabaman
By Nikolai Adams robber, Joe Herrera (Burt Reynolds),
hides out somewhere in Mexico (after
ovie trailer voice-over: They having just stolen six thousand dollars
Mdestroy an army. . . they sabotage a from an American bank), while an
train. . . they capture a town. . . they fight African American officer, Lyedecker (Jim
with every dirty trick in the book. . . and Brown), is on the hunt for this slippery
they’re the heroes of this picture! fellow.
Often considered the best year for A flamboyant, fly-by-night type,
westerns (which is saying something), Herrera’s hideout is less secretive than
1969 brought you might think. . . holed up in a hotel
forth a wide array of spectacular and room with a beautiful young woman (a
dynamic films (ranging from traditional fiery cameo from Soledad Miranda – who
to more modern would tragically die just one year later in
style fare) – Butch Cassidy and the a car crash in Portugal. . . just 27 years
Sundance Kid, True Grit, The Wild Bunch, of age), just outside his window lies the
The Undefeated, Paint Your Wagon, sadistic General Verdugo (Fernando
Mackenna’s Gold, Support Your Local Lamas) and his German sent military
Sheriff!. . . the list goes on and on. Also advisor, Von Klemme (Eric Braeden –
add 100 Rifles, co-adapted and directed yes, a young role for the incomparable Photo Submitted
by Tom Gries (from the 1966 novel The Victor Newman). . . who just happens to
Californio), to that illustrious list. be having a chat with the aforementioned telephone poles and along the railroad machine (charismatic in a cocky and
Set in 1912, the narrative brings American lawman. tracks – warnings to anyone thinking of brash kind of way – always on the edge
together three intersecting storylines in With these two vomitous masterminds combatting this current regime. between good guy and dirty scoundrel),
a rather engaging way: a beautiful young controlling the Mexican landscape, it is As these things do, Herrera and while Welch is a strong, scorching force
woman, Sarita (Raquel Welch), is forced somewhat akin to the end of Spartacus’ Lyedecker find themselves almost in her unwanted role as honorary head of
to hang from her father’s legs as he is rebellion (in ancient Roman times), for we fatefully bound together (figuratively, this ragtag guerilla militia, and Brown is
being hung (helping him die a little bit see countless Yaqui Indians hanging from and, at times, literally), the General surprisingly solid in his role – becoming
very interested in knowing where the one of the first African American action
someone like Lyedecker will have no character arc goes is truly inspirational
six thousand dollars is (meaning that stars on the silver screen (and where his

chance of transporting the man back to for the
the States). . . and, if you’re wondering
time – as it still is today). Plus, I’ve
what these two think happened to the got to give props to my old acquaintance
money, the most popular suggestion is Michael Forest, making a most
whiskey and whores (something the thief entertaining and larger than life role out
proudly approves of). of a silent character that probably didn’t
Yet, let us not forget the title of the look like much on the page.
film. . . for, in reality, that is exactly what Shot in Almeria, Spain (where a
the money was used to purchase – 100 lot of iconic spaghetti westerns were
rifles for the Yaqui resistance, which, in filmed, including Sergio Leone’s Dollars
many ways, is being run by Sarita and Trilogy), the arid desert landscapes
her mute, six foot six bodyguard Humara are absolutely stunning (especially a
(Michael Forest) – Herrera their wildcard sequence revolving around the ruins of a
hire (a man who is as much in as he is out giant structure). . . a perfect backdrop for
What’s the big news at Emard Lumber? Well, we’re setting of the cause). the over the top action which is front and
up shop in Ingleside. On December 1st, the former Ingleside With one of the highest death counts centre.
imaginable, 100 Rifles is an exploitation A classic B western, 100 Rifles is
Lumber has become Emard Bros. Lumber, creating our style American version of a spaghetti about as much fun as you could have
second store, effectively merging two great local family western. Featuring one of the first with this type of film (if you don’t take
businesses. So the friendly, familiar faces in Ingleside will interracial sex scenes, Brown it too seriously). Its action is packed,
and Welch broke down barriers, a its characters are larger than life, and
remain, with a few more friendly faces added, all sharing the
steamy sequence that is impossible to its relatively simple story still holds
same goal of excellent customer relations. forget. And, speaking of Welch, the up (though it is by no means anything
filmmakers attempted to get her nude special). It also
several times in the movie. . . though she
features a scrumptious score from the
never does true nudity, what she does great Jerry Goldsmith. A final funny little
840 Tenth Street East, Cornwall with the role is arguably sexier (two quip. . . when the producers spoke to
Reynolds about the project and his fellow
memorable examples
613 932-5660 include a distracting flash manoeuver cast members – Brown and Welch, he
63 Dickinson Dr., Ingleside and her wet shirt shower scene). cheekily said, “Keep his shirt off and her
Featuring a charismatic cast (though, shirt off and give me all the lines”. So,
613-537-2433 as you might observe, it is unlikely that revisit this most special year for the
www.emardlumber.ca you would get away with some of that American western, you’re not likely to
casting today), Reynolds is a one-liner see one like this again, pardner.