THE CHEROKEE KID
US, 1996, 91 minutes, Colour.
Sinbad, James Coburn, Gregory Hines, A Martinez, Ernie Hudson, Mark Pellegrino, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Burt Reynolds.
Directed by Paris Buckley.
The Cherokee Kid is a vehicle for television actor and comedian, Sinbad. While he made some films, he was much more successful on television.
This is something of an old-fashioned Western, produced by HBO when it was owned by Warner Brothers. However, with its focus on African- Americans, it is dedicated to Cowboys of Colour.
The film opens with a High Noon situation and the seeming death of the Cherokee Kid at the hands of the Undertaker. The Kid’s friend, Cortina (A Martinez) tells the story of his life to the congregation at the funeral.
This provides flashbacks to the Kid, Isaiah and his brother Jedediah, the attack by Bloomington (James Coburn) later running for governor and owner of banks, Bloomington killing the boy’s mother and ordering the death of Isaiah though his sidekick, Frank Bonner, who does not follow through. Jedediah escapes.
Isaiah grows up, is rather bumbling in his attempts to be a cowboy, goes off on a quest for revenge, has a happy interlude with a genial desert wander, Bob, played by Burt Reynolds. Then he comes across Nat Love, Ernie Hudson, and his gang, who train him, especially in aiming and shooting, riding a horse, and sexual adventures.
The group rob banks, the Kid joining in, outlaws dressed as nuns, and continuing to take Bloomington’s money as they rob his other banks. Bloomington then calls the gunfighters together and the Undertaker undertakes to kill the Kid.
Of course, it is all planned, the Undertaking being Jedediah – leading to a shootout in town with the two brothers conquering everyone. And then, going off to the west, but Isaiah choosing to remain the Cherokee Kid because he likes being the Kid.
1. The comedy Western? Vehicle for Sinbad, his television career, less so in film? His screen presence, comedy style, hero yet bumbling? Sense of humour?
2. The blend of the comic and the serious? The conventions of the West? The focus on African- Americans, living in the West, family, violence against them? And the dedication of the film to Cowboys of Colour?
3. The opening, the reputation of the Cherokee Kid? Juan Cortina telling this story, the legend, the Undertaker, the confrontation in the street, the shootout, the death of the Kid, his funeral, Cortina telling the story to the assembled congregation?
4. The story of the family, the two brothers, Bloomington and his men, the attack, the death of the mother, Jedediah escaping, Isaiah and his being brought up by the family? Motives of revenge?
5. Isaiah and his life, the pratfalls and the physical comedy? His trying to be a cowboy?
6. Bloomington, his sidekicks, his political ambitions, to be governor, his banks? His arrogant personality?
7. Isaiah and his encounter with Bob, Bob as a character, friend, his death and burial? A genial Burt Reynolds type?
8. The encounter with Nat Love, his reputation, his offsiders, living in exile? The men, the women? Isaiah and his being in awe of Matt, jokes about his virginity, the encounter with the woman?
9. The plan to rob the bank, the style of the robbery, Nat and his men, the presence of Isaiah, the disguise of the nuns? Getting away with the money? Targeting all Bloomington’s banks, the success, the humour of the teller who had been in the hotel and previously promised Isaiah the apron?
10. Bloomington, his reaction? Frank Bonner, his not having killed Isaiah as a boy? Bloomington’s reaction, the commission to find Isaiah? Bloomington and the gathering of the shooters, the Undertaker and his assurance about killing the Cherokee Kid?
11. Cortina, his incessant chatter, saving Isaiah’s life, Isaiah saving his in the shootout?
12. The setup for the High Noon shootout, the church, the aftermath, the Undertaker being revealed as Jedediah, Isaiah emerging from the coffin, the shootout, saving Cortina’s life?
13. Isaiah, wanting to go West, Cortina tagging along, with Jedediah, and the decision to go along? And Isaiah wanting to remain as the Cherokee Kid?
