Outlaw Blues

Outlaw Blues is a 1977 American drama film directed by Richard T. Heffron and starring Peter Fonda and Susan Saint James.[1] Written by Bill L. Norton, the film is about an ex-convict and songwriter trying to break into the music business in Austin, Texas. When a famous country singer steals one of his songs and turns it into a hit, the songwriter confronts him, and in a struggle the country singer accidentally shoots himself. Once again running from the law, the songwriter, with the help of a savvy backup singer, records his stolen song himself, and his version becomes an even bigger hit. Some of the songs were sung by Peter Fonda, and three of the songs were written by Hoyt Axton and the title song was written by John Oates.[2]

For the Bob Dylan song, see Outlaw Blues (Bob Dylan song).
Outlaw Blues
Theatrical release poster
Directed byRichard T. Heffron
Produced bySteve Tisch
Screenplay byBill L. Norton
Starring
Music by
CinematographyJules Brenner
Edited by
Production
company
Distributed byWarner Bros.
Release date
  • August 15, 1977 (1977-08-15) (USA)
Running time
100 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$1,900,000 (est.)

Plot

Ex-convict Bobby Ogden (Peter Fonda) is trying to get his life straight and his career going as a country and western singer. Bobby shows off some of his tunes to Nashville star Garland Dupree (James Callahan). However, Dupree uses one of his songs "Outlaw Blues" for himself with no credit to Bobby. Bobby confronts Dupree and when Dupree pulls a gun on him, he accidentally shoots himself in the ensuing struggle. Of course, Dupree tells everyone that Bobby shot him. Now Bobby's on the run, with only Dupree's recently fired back up singer Tina Waters (Susan Saint James) believing him. The pair flee together, as Bobby becomes an underground hero who is accepted as the man who actually wrote the hit, while being put on the law enforcement's most wanted list.

Cast

Production

Filming locations

Outlaw Blues was filmed on location in Austin, Texas and Huntsville, Texas.[4]

Reception

In his review in The New York Times, film critic A. H. Weiler found the film to be "pleasantly palatable it not especially nutritious" and "an amiable, lilting, if lightweight, diversion." Weiler acknowledges that the cast "make the most of a musical genre that has millions of devoted fans."[5]

On the aggregate reviewer web site Rotten Tomatoes, the film received a 63% positive viewer rating based on 86 user ratings.[6]

References
  1. "Outlaw Blues". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved March 8, 2012.
  2. Turner Classic Movies: Outlaw Blues (1977)
  3. "Full cast and crew for Outlaw Blues". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved March 8, 2012.
  4. "Filming locations for Outlaw Blues". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved March 8, 2012.
  5. Weiler, A. H. (July 16, 1977). "Outlaw Blues". The New York Times. Retrieved February 26, 2012.
  6. "Outlaw Blues". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved March 8, 2012.
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