Goin' South is an American western-comedy film, directed by and starring Jack Nicholson. The 1978 film also starred Mary Steenburgen in her movie debut and included Christopher Lloyd, John Belushi (movie debut), Richard Bradford, Veronica Cartwright, Danny DeVito and Ed Begley Jr.

Plot outline

Henry Moon (Nicholson), a third-rate outlaw in the 1860s, is a bank-robber, horse thief and cattle thief who is due to be hanged in Longhorn, Texas to the great glee of the local populace and especially of the deputy sheriff. Moon comes under especially close scrutiny from some women in the town, which turns out to be because of a local ordinance, dating back to Civil War days, that allowed a condemned man to be saved from the gallows if an unmarried lady would agree to marry him and be responsible for his good behaviour.

Moon is saved from hanging by the intervention of a lovely young woman who agrees to marry and take charge of him. Julia Tate (Steenburgen), the headstrong but genteel Southern virgin who weds Moon, initially only wants him to help her work the gold mine she insists is on her property; but their shaky partnership soon evolves into much more.

While the film was not well-received by critics and moviegoers alike, any individual capable of appreciating Nicholsen's unique comedy style will find this film rather enjoyable.

The film was co-written by John Herman Shaner, longtime friend of Jack Nicholson from his early days in Hollywood. Shaner remains close to Jack even to this day.

It should be noted that this film launched the career of John Belushi, and provided a springboard for Christopher Lloyd into more major roles.

External links

Comedy films | Western films | 1978 films | Films shot in Mexico