Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #22223 in VHS
• Released on: 1989-09-07
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Formats: Color, NTSC
• Number of tapes: 1
• Running time: 94 minutes

Customer Reviews

Rainy Day Fun/Also Included in Great American Western Series(Vol 14)
"The Brothers O'Toole"(1973/R)...This was a slapstick kind of comedy/western, and it garnered more then a few chuckles from me.
John Astin and Steve Carlson are the brothers who can usually con their way into or out of any situation. Astin is the brains(and plays a double role), and Carlsen the ladies man. But when Astin is mistaken for a really bad hombre, and captured and held prisoner by the quirky towns folk while awaiting a hanging, they must figure their way out. A fabulous funny cast includes Pat Carroll,Jesse White, Lee Merriwether(in quite a different role for her)and Hans Conried provides some laughs as well.

For about the same price you can get this funny western along with 3 others onThe Great American Western, Vol. 14.The volume is a mix of comedy and drama(1967 - 1974) and includes "Little Moon and Jud McGraw,"Jory" and "Th Jackels"(Vincent Price), along with this one. Don't expect any Criterion like or pristine transfers. For the price you just get four not so famous films, with decent views. For film details click on the product link I included above and see my review.

So if you are looking for a John Ford quality western, pass this one by, but for some rainy day fun with some fabulously funny actors, check it out. And by the way, the R rating is no where near what an R film is today. I would probably consider it more along a PG-13 lines, but parents should probbly check it out first anyway.

Happy Trails...Laurie

The fine art of cussing
I first saw this movie when I was less than ten. It has stayed with me and now that I reflect, it has shaped my life. It opens with a self-conscious nod to the filmmaking process - a montage in which the various parties to filmmaking are represented by old west stereotypes (e.g., a grizzled old cowboy snaps a whip as the title, "director- so and so", appears). This story has everything I love about America in it. The old west, brotherhood, slapstick, cussing, con artists, hypocrisy, city planning, minerals and changing fortunes. One of the finest ensemble pieces I've ever seen, headlined by the immortal John Astin. His cussing contest entry is one of my favorite soliloquys of all time. A true inspiration. Still as good 20 years later, even with the cheesy marriage plot. Waiting for this to come out on DVD. We need a revival people. Come on. The cussing scene alone is worth it. Use it to inspire the youth of today into creative forms of cussing. Above and beyond. My thanks to all the people who helped make this movie happen. It has enriched my life. If you do nothing else in your life, you have done enough. Your place in my heaven is assured. If there was one film I'd have preserved for posterity, this would be it. (OK, I feel safe saying that since I know other people will be taking care of the other films and it's not really a zero sum game. But if it were up to me to choose...)

Funny, off-beat western comedy with John Astin
Quirky western comedy starring John Astin (Gomez from the Addams Family TV series) in a dual role, as Michael O'Toole, sophisticated eastern con man; and as "Desperate" Ambrose, a seedy western bandito. O'Toole finds himself in a dilapidated mining town in western Colorado, named "Molybdenum"; but the residents can't pronounce it, so they call the town "Molly-Be-Damn". O'Toole is mistaken for Ambrose and arrested, but is acquitted at trial before a weary and confused circuit judge. When O'Toole tries to open a casino with stored gambling equipment, the mayor tries to sabotage opening day by hosting a "Belchin, Cussin, and Spittin Contest". Michael's brother Timothy enters the contest and draws the wrath of Michael, who lets loose a memorable speech that wins the cussin contest although it contains no cussing. If you like John Astin, and off-beat comedies, you will enjoy this movie. It's one of my favorite western comedies, and one that seems to have slipped under the radar for most people.