Philo Beddoe, is not afraid to fight anyone. In fact, he makes his living out of taking money from anybody that wants to challenge him, or his abilities to knock down those daring to try him. Philo's best friend, and companion is Clyde, an ape of epic proportions that loves to drink beer. His other pal is Orville, a loyal friend that follows him everywhere and acts as his fight manager. Orville's mother, Zenobia, is a foul mouthed woman who fails all the driving tests she goes to.
Philo takes an interest in a C&W vocalist, Lynn Halsey-Taylor, a not too talented singer traveling from place to place trying to make it in the business. Lynn, alas, is a calculating woman who does not plan to spend the rest of her life with Philo. Lynn is quick in accepting Philo's generosity, but she wants no romance with Philo, who goes after her, fighting himself with whoever wants to and making some money in the process.
James Fargo, the director, had been around as assistant to many projects that Clint Eastwood got involved in, so it did not come as a surprise his friend would tap him for this film, as he was starting in the industry as a director. Written by Jeremy Joe Kronsberg, whose first screenplay this was, the film was not exactly what one would have expected by a star of Mr. Eastwood's magnitude. While the movie is not horrible, it is forgettable. Clint Eastwood, a man of impeccable taste in music, has always favored jazz music in most of his movies. Here, he plays tribute, perhaps, to all the places out West that feature music from the heartland. Mel Tillis, one of C&W's big stars, sings a couple of songs.
It did not help that Sondra Locke was cast as Lynn. The actress and Mr. Eastwood had no chemistry whatsoever, in spite of being romantically involved. Based on the popularity of this film, the stars went to do a sequel, "Any Which Way you Can". Geoffrey Lewis plays Orville, Philo's true friend. Beverly D'Angelo appears as Echo, and the great Ruth Gordon is seen as Ma. Boggs.
Philo takes an interest in a C&W vocalist, Lynn Halsey-Taylor, a not too talented singer traveling from place to place trying to make it in the business. Lynn, alas, is a calculating woman who does not plan to spend the rest of her life with Philo. Lynn is quick in accepting Philo's generosity, but she wants no romance with Philo, who goes after her, fighting himself with whoever wants to and making some money in the process.
James Fargo, the director, had been around as assistant to many projects that Clint Eastwood got involved in, so it did not come as a surprise his friend would tap him for this film, as he was starting in the industry as a director. Written by Jeremy Joe Kronsberg, whose first screenplay this was, the film was not exactly what one would have expected by a star of Mr. Eastwood's magnitude. While the movie is not horrible, it is forgettable. Clint Eastwood, a man of impeccable taste in music, has always favored jazz music in most of his movies. Here, he plays tribute, perhaps, to all the places out West that feature music from the heartland. Mel Tillis, one of C&W's big stars, sings a couple of songs.
It did not help that Sondra Locke was cast as Lynn. The actress and Mr. Eastwood had no chemistry whatsoever, in spite of being romantically involved. Based on the popularity of this film, the stars went to do a sequel, "Any Which Way you Can". Geoffrey Lewis plays Orville, Philo's true friend. Beverly D'Angelo appears as Echo, and the great Ruth Gordon is seen as Ma. Boggs.