I'm split on whether "Pray for the Wildcats" actually qualifies as a movie that could air on Lifetime or the Lifetime Movie network.
This 1970s made-for-TV nugget is crazy enough to generate the kind of Tweet-storm reserved for movies like "Girlfriend Killer" or "Sinister Minister." But...there's zero sex (at least none on camera), and the primary characters are all male. BUT...this wild thriller focuses on three relationships on the ropes and a psycho who is pulling the strings on the fate of the characters.Admittedly, I've been dying to see this movie for a while and recently tracked it down on YouTube.
The cast is pure gold: Andy Griffith, William Shatner, Robert Reed, Marjoe Gortner and Angie Dickinson!
Griffith plays eccentric millionaire Sam Farragut, who owns a construction equipment company. He contracts an ad agency to develop a campaign for his organization. The creative team finds that it has its hands full with the loony Farragut.
He hates their ideas and decides they should have a wild weekend to bond. Farragut drags ad men Warren (Shatner), Paul (Reed) and Terry (Gortner) on a motorcycle ride through Mexico. These guys packed lightly for this trip but carry plenty of emotional baggage.
Warren is being fired by the agency and has health issues...oh, and he's having a fling with Paul's wife. Paul's marriage is falling apart, and Terry's girlfriend is unexpectedly pregnant. And they all are given leather jackets that read "Wildcats" adding to the weirdness of this sales venture.
None of these issues compares with the nightmare that awaits them on this trip with Farragut. The wealthy geezer is a risk taker, and these three suburbanites aren't exactly Evel Knievel material. Things really get out of control at a cantina when a drunken Farragut accosts a hippie girl. Her boyfriend tries to intervene and is beaten up by Farragut. That should have been a warning, but these sad sacks stick with their nutty host.
Farragut becomes even more out of control when he meets up with the hippy couple again. A fight ensues, and Farragut grabs an ax! Without offering spoilers, let's just say that the hippies aren't the winners in the in this confrontation. Terry doesn't tell his buddies what happened, but cops arrive and start asking questions. Warren figures out that screwball Farragut is up to no good and tries to figure out how to do the right thing.
There are numerous other plot twists, but definitely look for this movie. As mentioned, AWESOME cast. Where else can you see Captain Kirk, Mike Brady, Sheriff Taylor and Police Woman in action?
Griffith steals the show as the evil Farragut. Of course, he's no stranger to playing villains ("A Face in the Crowd") and devours his role as the psychopathic millionaire.
Shatner also shines as the washed up ad exec who is torn between his mistress and wife. With his oversized glasses and quiet disposition, his character Warren is personifies the term "milquetoast."
"Pray for the Wildcats" originally aired as an "ABC Movie of the Week" back in 1974. It is very dated and pretty tame compared to today's fare, but Griffith's wild performance is definitely makes it watchable. Highly recommended for fans of old school TV.
افضل شركة مكافحة حشرات بعنيزة
ReplyDelete