![]() ![]() Plus, its template was later adapted into classics like 1999’s Galaxy Quest and 2008’s Tropic Thunder, so it continues to influence. It hits more than it misses – with dozens of memorable moments – and the unmitigated resourcefulness, passion and talent involved is clear from beginning to end. Three Amigos may not be the greatest comedy of the '80s, but it’s far better than many people think (and it’s certainly superior to other stylistic siblings of the time, like 1985’s Rustlers’ Rhapsody and Lust in the Dust). It’s always enjoyable to see Shorts’ boyish smirks and insider glances at the camera Martin’s smug buffoonery and Chase’s speedy quips and exaggerated facial reactions, so they automatically rescue any flawed writing through sheer intuitive magnetism. Even the bits that don’t quite land – such as the “infamous” and “male plane” jokes, not to mention the “Three Amigos Salute” – are saved by the charisma and trademarks of the trio. Elsewhere, the “plethora of pinatas” gag is an equally representative display of extremely dry and purposefully repetitive jousting. Its two funniest scenes – the campfire sing-along with talking animals and Newman’s singing bush – perfectly tap into the inventive absurdity that these creative titans (as well as Mel Brooks and Monty Python) were known for. While its sounds and sights still hold up exceedingly well, Three Amigos soars most because of its emblematic humor (both overtly bizarre and subtly droll) and characteristically charming performances. Watch a the 'Three Amigos' Battle El Guapo's Men Luckily, it worked, with the pair’s musical acumen (alongside authentic costuming, set design and the like) permitting Three Amigos to successfully walk a thin line between self-aware comedy and actual cowboy movie. Naturally, Newman also wrote some new songs – and legendary genre composer Elmer Bernstein wrote a score – to ensure that the Western zaniness was as effectively faithful yet satirical as possible. Lastly, and despite facing charges from a notorious accident on the set of Twilight Zone: the Movie, Landis was prospering thanks to National Lampoon’s Animal House, The Blues Brothers and Trading Places. As for Short, he’d made his feature film debut in 1979’s Lost and Found and had excelled as a cast member on both SCTV and SNL. Just as Martin had secured recent victories with The Jerk and The Man with Two Brains, Chase was doing well thanks to SNL, Caddyshack, National Lampoon’s Vacation and Fletch. It’s no wonder why they were chosen, either, as each man was riding career highs at the time. Along the way, Rick Moranis and John Candy were also considered – so Three Amigos would’ve been a who’s who of comedic heavyweights no matter what, Of course, the stars eventually aligned – no pun intended – for Chase to play Bottoms, Short to play Nederlander and Landis to direct. the Extra-Terrestrial instead, so all three were out. Ultimately, however, Spielberg opted to make 1982’s E.T. Interestingly, he wanted to have Bill Murray and Robin Williams portray Dusty Bottoms and Ned Nederlander, respectively. Watch the 'My Little Buttercup' Scene From 'Three Amigos' For whatever reason, that plan fell through, and at some point, Steven Spielberg – who’d featured both actors in 1979’s 1941 – was tapped to shoot. At first, Martin was going to appear alongside Blues Brothers duo Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi. Martin was always going to feature as Lucky Day, yet there were many other major names thrown into the sombrero before they landed on Chase, Short and Landis. Seeing as how this was during Michael’s hiatus from SNL – before returning in 1985 – he was able to spend “the better part of 1984 writing it.”įrom there, the troupe set out to find the proper cast and director. Very based on puns.” After being convinced to “abandon and write a new one from scratch” by Michaels in the early 1980s, the pair enlisted Newman (who’s never penned another screenplay) to complete the writing trio. ![]() In fact, it was going to be called Three Cabelleros, and the original screenplay, he once admitted, was “just very different. The film took roughly ten years to come to fruition, as Martin first devised the idea in the late 1970s. ![]()
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