The Frisco Kid (1979)

Director:

Robert Aldrich

Writers:

Michael Elias (written by) &
Frank Shaw (written by)

Release Date:

13 July 1979 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Western

Tagline:

The greatest cowboy ever to ride into the Wild West. From Poland.

Plot:

A Polish rabbi wanders through the Old West on his way to lead a synagogue in San Francisco. On the...

Plot Keywords:

Rabbi | Jewish | Wild West | Jewish Humor

Cast

Gene Wilder	...	Avram
Harrison Ford	...	Tommy
Ramon Bieri	...	Mr. Jones
Val Bisoglio	...	Chief Gray Cloud
George DiCenzo	...	Darryl Diggs (as George Ralph DiCenzo)
Leo Fuchs	...	Chief Rabbi
Penny Peyser	...	Rosalie
William Smith	...	Matt Diggs
Jack Somack	...	Samuel Bender
Beege Barkette	...	Sarah Mindl (as Beege Barkett)
Shay Duffin	...	O'Leary
Walter Janovitz	...	Old Amish Man (as Walter Janowitz)
Joe Kapp	...	Monterano
Clyde Kusatsu	...	Mr. Ping
Clifford A. Pellow	...	Mr. Daniels (as Cliff Pellow)

Also Known As:

No Knife (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

114 min

Country:

USA

Language:

Yiddish | English

Colour:

Colour (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

West Germany:12 (f) | Australia:PG | Finland:K-16 | USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Colorado, USA

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Trivia:

According to Gene Wilder's autobiography, John Wayne was offered the part that was eventually played by Harrison Ford. The Duke loved the role and was willing to star with Wilder. However an agent tried to offer Wayne less than his usual fee and the legendary actor turned the film down.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: Several characters use the Colt Army .44 cal pistol. This wasn't developed until 1860. Also, during the final gun fight, Matt Diggs gives the rabbi a Remington New Model Army .44 cal pistol. This didn't come out until 1858.

Quotes:

[Avram teaches some Indians how Jews dance]
Avram: Watch that lady. I think she's a Jewish Indian.

Soundtrack:

Beautiful Dreamer

An overlooked cinematic comedy gem!

This is a great film. Gene Wilder plays an authentic Polish rabbi with a believable Yiddish accent in a buddy movie romp through the Wild West. Harrison Ford, in his pre-Indiana Jones incarnation, makes an effective side-kick. This is truly among Wilder's best roles. Robert Nurenberg's review couldn't have said it any better... except Wilder did not portray a rabbinical school dropout, though he was not likely the most outstanding pupil. He was a trained rabbi sent to America to assume a pulpit in San Francisco where he would marry the woman hand picked by a match-maker. What happens on the way from Poland to California is more than worth a single viewing! The Frisco Kid is a most enjoyable, insightful, and entertaining film. A well-deserved 10/10!