The Fastest Guitar Alive | |
---|---|
![]() Theatrical release poster by Frank Frazetta | |
Directed by | Michael D. Moore |
Written by | Robert E. Kent |
Produced by | Sam Katzman |
Starring | Roy Orbison Sammy Jackson Maggie Pierce |
Cinematography | W. Wallace Kelley |
Edited by | Ben Lewis |
Music by | Roy Orbison Bill Dees Fred Karger |
Color process | Metrocolor |
Production company | |
Distributed by | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer |
Release date |
|
Running time | 87 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
The Fastest Guitar Alive is a 1967 American musical comedy Western film directed by Michael D. Moore and starring singer Roy Orbison in his only acting role. The film features Orbison performing seven original songs, which appeared on his 1967 MGM album of the same name. His song "There Won't Be Many Coming Home" is featured in the 2015 western film The Hateful Eight .
Near the end of the American Civil War, a Southern spy (Orbison) with a bullet-shooting guitar is given the task of robbing gold bullion from the United States Mint in San Francisco to help finance the ill-fated Confederacy's last-ditch war effort.
Filming began September 1966. [1] Although Orbison was pleased with the film, it proved to be a critical and box office flop. While MGM had included five films in his contract, no more were made. [2] [3]
The Fastest Guitar Alive | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ||||
Soundtrack album by | ||||
Released | June 1967 | |||
Genre | Rock and roll | |||
Length | 22:27 | |||
Label | MGM (E 4475) | |||
Producer | Wesley Rose & Jim Vienneau | |||
Roy Orbison chronology | ||||
|
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Allmusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Record Mirror | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
A soundtrack album for the film was released in June 1967 on MGM Records. It was the only album to consist entirely of Roy Orbison/Bill Dees originals. Its single "There Won't Be Many Coming Home" reached No. 18 in the UK and entered the Australian chart at its highest position of #32 before slipping down the chart.
The album was also included in the 2015 box set The MGM Years 1965–1973 – Roy Orbison. [7]
Richie Unterberger of AllMusic said the album "includes what may be his best obscure tune, the rarely anthologized "Whirlwind." With its galloping rhythm, emotive operatic vocals, swirling strings, and ghostly backing vocals, it recalls the best uptempo ballads that he recorded during his early-'60s heyday at the Monument label." [8]
Billboard described the album as "a pack powerful emotion." [9]
Cashbox identified the album as a "Pop Picks in its review from July 1967, notes "These tunes, in addition to three other Orbison originals, are included" [10]
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Whirlwind" | 2:10 |
2. | "Medicine Man, Medicine Man" | 2:43 |
3. | "River" | 3:02 |
4. | "The Fastest Guitar Alive" | 3:08 |
5. | "Rollin' On" | 2:15 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Pistolero" | 2:58 |
2. | "Good Time Party" | 2:23 |
3. | "Heading South" | 2:45 |
4. | "Best Friend" | 2:38 |
5. | "There Won't Be Many Coming Home" | 2:46 |