BoardChiri
Bad Acting and worse Bad Screenplay
Bergorks
If you like to be scared, if you like to laugh, and if you like to learn a thing or two at the movies, this absolutely cannot be missed.
Allison Davies
The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.
Paynbob
It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.
theowinthrop
It's not a great comedy, but THE GREAT SCOUT AND CATHOUSE THURSDAY is a spoof western that plays around with such themes as settling long standing scores and recapturing a lost love from youth. In the proper hands mighty great tragedies of loss of innocence or happiness have been built on such themes like THE SEARCHERS. Here it is sent up - with a heavenly nuttiness.Lee Marvin, Strother Martin, and Oliver Reed (as a truly vengeful Native American - more below) all worked a gold site with Robert Culp when they were all younger and (these three) more innocent. Culp ran off with the money, and used it to become a powerful gold mine owner. Marvin accidentally tracks him down, and gathers the other two to confront him and demand their share. And he laughs in their face, and uses his goon squad to chase them away. But they come up with a plan to kidnap Culp's wife (Elizabeth Ashley) to force him to give them their money. Marvin, now an old saddle bum, recalls how Ashley and he were once quite hot for each other. He figures that there should be little real problem. A touch of O'Henry comes here - "The Ransom of Red Chief". It seems that marriage and prosperity brought out the worst in both Culp and Ashley. Both are used to their comforts, and neither are particularly nice people, nor do they care for each other (Culp has been promoting a prize fighter for the heavyweight championship - the gentleman has been sleeping with Ashley!). So after having the "pleasure" of kidnapping Ashley, Marvin discovers Culp couldn't care less.The film has some wonderful touches in it. Reed's "Joe Knox" is the most interesting vengeful Indian in American movies. Forget slow torments over roasting fires, or flaying alive, or "running the gauntlet" or scalping. Seems Joe has venereal disease, and plans to spread it all over the west. Martin, when he learns this, is frightened ("Damn it Joe, we drank out of the same cup!", he squeals). Reed foresees that his one-man assault on the U.S will reach the White House (he sees Teddy Roosevelt screaming about it). Lee Marvin does convince him to see a doctor, but Reed is aware (apparently) of the current treatment with mercury and a needle. Marvin tries to reassure him ("It's all done with a little pill now!"). Reed believes him, until he sees the doctor, and runs out.Culp and his relationship with Marvin is also interesting. When they were younger and working together, Culp was a member of the Democratic Party like Marvin (and Martin, presumably). But now he's a man of property and position. He is not only a good taxpayer and a Republican (as Brian Keith would have said in THE HALLALUJAH TRAIL) but he is pushing the election of Republican Candidate William Howard Taft over William Jennings Bryan. Marvin can't believe this apostasy, and Culp is obviously annoyed by Marvin's confronting him on such an important matter. When they finally confront each other in a fight, Culp says he is not only going to beat up Marvin for trying to get his money back, but he's going to force him to vote for the better man for President. Whenever he punches Marvin, Culp says, "You will vote for Taft!". Seldom has political principle gone to such a length.It was a good comedy, and is worth watching. It also (in it's conclusion) gave Marvin an opportunity to sing in a movie again, as he had done in PAINT YOUR WAGON. But this time the song is livelier, and there are others singing it with him.
bluetinkerbell
One of the funniest movies I've yet to see. Great cast with funny, funny script. We watch it every chance we get and can't wait for the DVD to be produced. This is one of Lee Marvin's best movies....teamed with Robert Culp, Elizabeth Ashley & Oliver Reed the movie creates unforgettable fast-paced humor. Elizabeth Ashley's portrayal of "little girl" is priceless and the final chase scenes in the movie are right up there with "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. When Joe Knox gets drunk and kidnaps a Lady for each Night of the week (thus Cathouse Thursday) followed by Sam's tricking him into visiting the doctor for a "painless" cure is one of the funniest story lines I've yet to see. The movie deserves much higher than its mediocre rating.
Tommy Phillips
This movie has not received the best reviews but I have always loved this picture. I'm not an old movie buff, I'm only 19 but I've always been a huge Lee Marvin and Strother Martin fan. This movie has three great actors together Marvin, Martin, and Oliver Reed as the Indian "Joe Knox". Watch this film and you'll see three screen legends in a comical role with a good story plot. Marvin and Martin show the comical side to themselves and Oliver Reed presents a superb and funny performance as an Indian. "The Great Scout And Cathouse Thursday" is a Great movie with Great actors. A beautiful movie that deserves a 10 rating!
Frejac
This was one of the most enjoyable movies I have ever seen. Oliver Reed and Lee Marvin were two of a kind, and they worked well together. Frejac