The One Line Summary: In 1916, Bearded Bandit bad guy El Guapo and his notorious Mexican gang of thieves and villains are robbing the local town of Santo Poco under the guise of protection money when they meet their match in three flamboyant silent film stars who arrive for what they think is a public appearance but turns out to be a rootin’ shootin’, tootin’, gun fight with . . . real bullets.
The Two-Line Blurb: Question: Is there anyone funnier than Steve martin, Chevy Chase and Martin Short in spangly cowboy outfits and frilly shirts singing songs about little buttercups while dodging baddie bandit gunfire? Answer: Probably, but certainly not anyone wearing spangly cowboy outfits and frilly shirts singing songs about little buttercup while dodging baddie bandit gunfire.
The Three-Line Set-up: The locals think the actors are legitimate guns for hires come to save their town. The boys think they are getting paid for a doing song and dance. El Guapo thinks they’re idiots.
The Four-Line Moment: The three amigos are true showmen and begin their act with the same razzmatazz they’ve always brought to their performances, even telling the bandits that it’s a pleasure to work them. This amuses the slightly perplexed gang of killers. Of course Lucky Day (Martin), Dusty Bottoms (Chase), and Ned Nederlander (Short) have no idea the gang is not only real, but there to fill them full of bullets. Time for some crying.
The Five-Word Review: Why wasn’t there a sequel?