The Crocodile Dundee guy made a western in 1994. It’s exactly that weird.
Giddy up for a ride through Lightning Jack (1994), Paul Hogan’s attempt to recapture the magic of Crocodile Dundeewith a Western twist. Landen and Truman dissect the movie’s baffling tonal shifts, nonsensical plot conveniences, and the misplaced talents of Cuba Gooding Jr. Along the way, they explore the peculiarities of Paul Hogan’s career, the economics of Australian film financing, and the art of forgetting this movie ever happened.
Major Cast and Crew
The Crocodile Dundee guy made a western in 1994. It’s exactly that weird.
Giddy up for a ride through Lightning Jack (1994), Paul Hogan’s attempt to recapture the magic of Crocodile Dundeewith a Western twist. Landen and Truman dissect the movie’s baffling tonal shifts, nonsensical plot conveniences, and the misplaced talents of Cuba Gooding Jr. Along the way, they explore the peculiarities of Paul Hogan’s career, the economics of Australian film financing, and the art of forgetting this movie ever happened.
Major Cast and Crew
- Director: Simon Wincer
- Writer: Paul Hogan
- Main Cast:
- Paul Hogan as Lightning Jack Kane
- Cuba Gooding Jr. as Ben Doyle
- Beverly D'Angelo as Lana Castleton
- Pat Hingle as U.S. Marshal
- L.Q. Jones as Sheriff
- Roger Daltrey as John
Film Synopsis
When Australian outlaw Lightning Jack Kane (Paul Hogan) survives a botched bank robbery that kills the rest of his gang, he decides to build his own legend. Recruiting mute shopkeeper Ben Doyle (Cuba Gooding Jr.) as his reluctant sidekick, Jack embarks on a series of increasingly absurd heists to make a name for himself. But Jack’s ambition and Ben’s bumbling lead to more trouble than triumph, culminating in a final heist where they must outsmart a posse, a rival gang, and themselves.
Episode Highlights
- The baffling tonal inconsistencies of Lightning Jack and Paul Hogan’s misplaced confidence.
- Cuba Gooding Jr.: a comedic genius sidelined by a thankless role.
- The bizarre economics of Australian film financing and Hogan’s stock-market-funded vision.
- A breakdown of the movie’s nonsensical “Chekhov’s gun” subplot and the art of burning a jail down.
- Why Paul Hogan’s charm, much like his filmography, has a short shelf life.
What’s your favorite Western comedy? Does anything come close to Blazing Saddles? Let us know in the comments or on social media—and don’t forget to suggest which movies the Machine should cover next!
Enjoyed the episode? Leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform—we’ll feature your thoughts in future show notes!
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