OUTLAW BLUES

US, 1977, 86 minutes, Colour.
Peter Fonda, Susan Saint James, Michael Lerner.
Directed by Richard T.Heffron.

Though fairly improbable, a thoroughly entertaining cheeky movie. Bobby Ogden (Peter Fonda), convict-songwriter, achieves the American dream of fame, love, wealth as a top-of-the-charts singer. Taking on ambitious politicians, the police force, a chief who operates only in front of TV, the ugly world of record promotion, Bobby and girlfriend manager Tina (Susan Saint James) become contemporary folk-heroes in a series of very engaging episodes which (rightly or wrongly) put us on the side of the outlaws. There's a lot of clever and detailed observation of contemporary America especially Texas, that has its bite but is too cheerful to be bitter.

1. The title, the tone? The title song? Music, U.S. outlaws, law and order, victims?

2. How could the film be best described: prison film. chase film, road film, musical - country and western? A blend of these conventions?

3. The musical background, its quality? The title song?

4. The prison life film: prisoners, the details of way of life, the warden? Oppression, freedom? Bobby Ogden and his crime . escape, extended sentence? The arranging of the concert? Garland Dupree and Bobby's singing his song? How credible a prisoner was Bobby? The conventional reaction to prison films?

5. The contrast of the world of the country and western singer? Pleasant personality yet patronising, the entourage, the concert in the prison and the publicity? Bobby and Garland Dupree's ignoring him - and the irony of stealing his song and recording it? The political implications of Garland Dupree’s pressure? His violence, being shot. his lifestyle and wealth. his treatment of Tina? People loathing him, the audience's attitude? His legal and managerial connections? Betrayal?

6. The character of Bobby Ogden -pleasant man, outlaw, his unchosen notoriety as well as his musical fame? Peter Fonda’s style? His reaction to Dupree, his confronting him, the arranged violence and the pursuit? How well drawn was his character?

7. Tina and her reaction to Dupree, her small singing role, her ambitions? The encounter with Bobby and the way that it grew, the feeding of her grudge? Her helping him? The blossoming romance and relationship? The involvement in the recording, its promotion, the interviews, publicity stunts? The future with Bobby?

8. Tina's plan, the humour and tension in its execution? The serious side of the police pursuit? The comedy? People's reaction, the hero outlaw? Success and the popularity of the song?

9. The background of chase, law and order, the police, Dupree's link with the law and the Sheriff?

10. The violence with the recording, the hall of bullets?

11. Managers, betrayal? TV personalities and newscasters? The exploiting of Bobby?

12. The finale and their almost losing the money, the happy ending and the escape to Mexico?

13. Thews of the underdog, authority? Personal and public clashes? Personal success? The tone of the film and its good humour?