Something Big

While stationed in Thailand in 1972 during the Vietnam War, I had an opportunity to get a part-time job operating a movie projector at the base theater for the midnight show. One of the films I was fortunate to show was "Somthing Big", a rowdy, unpretentious western with a fun and talented cast headed by Dean Martin, Brian Keith, Albert Salmi and Honor Blackman. The film's strongest point is that it didn't take itself too seriously, yet still presented a fine array of subplots and character studies that nicely wove themselves together to a rousing finale. What has stuck out most in my mind for over the past 30+ years, however, was the movie's theme song. Like the film itself, the title song was a joyous and melodic tribute to the desire in everyone to reach for that star in the heavens, or that impossible dream. It is disappointing that the film never made it to VHS or DVD. If it ever shows up on cable TV, don't miss an opportunity to see this lost guilty pleasure.

Sure the story's great and the dog's adorable, but I think the subplot's the best part. All Jonny Cobb wanted out of life these days was a woman, but women were hard to find in such an arid place. Ol' Baker's a resourceful guy, though, so let him find Cobb a woman. Give him a little incentive and there's no end to what he could accomplish. So that's what Jonny did. He promised to get him a gatlin gun if Baker would get him a woman. The way this subplot ends makes me laugh out loud. The perfect solution!

I loved this movie when it came out! Dean Martin made a suave cowboy. I loved the comedy lines all throughout the movie. Don Knight did a great straight man to Dean's comedic one. But Dean Martin and his little dog stole the show. This movie had a killer cast with Ben Johnson, Brian Keith & Honor Blackman. Dean Martin came out west to do "Something Big" before he married Don Knight's Sister from the old Country. Well, he was having so much fun in the old west...the Sister came looking for him. With time running out he needed to trade a woman for the big gattling gun so he could get the treasure from the "Bad" Mexican Bandiditos! So what does he do, he accidently get's the wife of the Army Fort's Commander. Now everyone is after Dean!!! You can't rent this one...because it was never released to be taped! If you want to see it you will have to wait until some movie channel decides to show it...when ever that will be!!!!!!!!

Sorry markspangler1, but the location wasn't the Superstition Mountains of Arizona, it was filmed just outside Durango, Mexico where lots of western films have been made. Beautiful scenery, mountains and plains, deep blue skies unmarked by jet contrails or fences. Through a chance meeting with Hal Needham, Stunt Coordinator and stunt double for Dean Martin, I was invited on the set during filming. I've always wondered at why it wasn't a more popular film. Great actors, great director in big Andrew McLaglen (the man is BIG!) great scenery and cinematography. My biggest regret was not being on the set when Ben Johnson was on location. Just missed him. He was always one of my favorite actors. Authentic, unpretentious and believable in all his roles. Dean is funny and the dog a real trooper. See this movie if you can.

Good clean fun with Brian Keith and Dean Martin. Who could ask for more than that? A well-written story line and a musical backdrop that sounds like "Love American Style". With an on-site western camera shoot and good cinematography, it's campy and funny, and thoroughly enjoyable. It is what it is.