Dirty Dingus Magee is a 1970 American comedy revisionist Western film starring Frank Sinatra as the titular outlaw and George Kennedy as a sheriff out to capture him. Directed by Burt Kennedy, the movie was based on the novel The Ballad of Dingus Magee by David Markson and the screenplay was partly written by Joseph Heller.[1][2]

Dirty Dingus Magee
Theatrical release poster
Directed byBurt Kennedy
Screenplay byTom Waldman
Frank Waldman
Joseph Heller
Based onThe Ballad of Dingus Magee
1965 novel
by David Markson
Produced byBurt Kennedy
StarringFrank Sinatra
George Kennedy
Anne Jackson
Jack Elam
John Dehner
CinematographyHarry Stradling Jr.
Edited byWilliam B. Gulick
Music byJeff Alexander
Distributed byMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Release date
  • November 18, 1970 (1970-11-18)
Running time
91 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Plot

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Hoke Birdsill rides into Yerkey's Hole demanding the law take action because Dingus Magee has robbed him. Since no law exists, the mayor, Belle, who also runs the town's bordello, sees to it that Hoke himself becomes the new sheriff. Dingus keeps getting away with his crimes, helped by Anna Hot Water, his young Indian companion, but when he tries to steal from Belle, he finds Hoke has beaten him to it. Hoke enjoys being on the other side of the law, so Dingus turns the tables, becoming sheriff to go after him. After being rivals for so long, Dingus and Hoke eventually team up, running out of town with all Belle's loot after setting fire to her brothel as a distraction.

Cast

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Reception

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Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times gave a negative review: "I lean toward blaming Frank Sinatra, who in recent years has become notorious for not really caring about his movies. If a shot doesn't work, he doesn't like to try it again; he might be late getting back to Vegas. What's more, the ideal Sinatra role requires him to be in no more than a fourth of the scenes, getting him lots of loot and top billing while his supporting cast does the work."[3]

References

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  1. ^ Dirty Dingus Magee at the TCM Movie Database.
  2. ^ "Dirty Dingus Magee". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved February 29, 2016.
  3. ^ Roger Ebert, "Dirty Dingus Magee" Nov. 23, 1970 http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/dirty-dingus-magee-1970
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