Wild Guitar (1962)
7/10
More like `Less-than-Tame Guitar'
19 March 2004
This fun filled romp about overnight sensation Bud Eagle, played not too well by Arch Hall Jr, is another contribution from Fairway International. The movie tries to be a musical comedy; I repeat "tries". Steak, played by Ray Dennis Steckler, does his role so serious that his loathsome presence made him the most interesting to watch. Mr. McCauley....I mean Mike, plays the unscrupulous typical agent. Ironically, this was probably an attempt to launch Arch Hall Jr's music/movie career by his dad, but it really didn't pan out as planned. Ah, Arch's song "Vickie" is here and makes more sense as opposed to being in Eegah where Arch's gal is named Roxie. Was anyone else holding their lunch down in the sappy rink scene. Too much Arch Hall face there! There are 3 Stooges wannabes and I cringe at every scene on how phonetic and unfeeling their delivery is. Have you ever seen a holdup with a branch? You will. I really wanted Steak to pistol whip these dolts.

Arch Hall Jr goes to town lip-synching at least 4 numbers here. There's "Twist Fever" where Arch embarrasses himself with in that white suit and some song with the words "I'm gonna be a big boy" which had me laughing with those kooky camera angles and the band and gals trying to pretend to be interested (watch the girl singing silently to the song – so FUNNY!). And why did this song make me start singing "You keep on knocking but you can't come in"? More fun with Vickie's obsession over Bud and her glassy eyed, maniacal, stalker-like stare. When she watches Bud from home in her more than formal dress, notice her completely different outfit during her running scene. I guess the living room attire wasn't good enough for him. Don't miss the exciting fight climax which involves an empty truck which looks similar to the PDS truck from "The Choppers"! Also, those really lame mummies from "Eegah" show up for no apparent reason in a run down shack. All in all, a typical Halls production, but it's a hoot to watch.
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