Review of Evil Roy Slade

Cult Classic 1970s movie. Decent production values and amazing comedic writing, it is hard to believe that it was made for TV and not an original cinema release. Great writing and John Astin (Mr. Addams in the Addams family TV show and Sean Astin's adopted father) was simultaneously hilarious and sublime. Parallel to Steve Martin's "The Jerk", the Evil Roy character was abandoned at birth and had to make his own way in the world. Evil Roy grew up tough and the "meanest villain in the West" but softens when he meets a schoolmarm. The late (and crazy) Dick Shawn was brilliant as Marshall Bing Bell ("Someone's at the door"). Although this movie probably hasn't aged well in the You Tube generation, it remains one of my favorite comedies... and more importantly to me ... it was my Dad's favorite comedy of all time.