Goin' South (1978)
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77% of critics liked it
(13 reviews) -
47% of users liked it
(4,365 ratings)
Sentenced to hang in a backwater western town, horse thief Henry Moon (Jack Nicholson) is saved when frontierswoman Julia Tate (Mary Steenburgen) agrees to marry him. Taking advantage of the town law that prohibits the execution of married men, Moon follows Tate back to her ranch, planning all the… More Sentenced to hang in a backwater western town, horse thief Henry Moon (Jack Nicholson) is saved when frontierswoman Julia Tate (Mary Steenburgen) agrees to marry him. Taking advantage of the town law that prohibits the execution of married men, Moon follows Tate back to her ranch, planning all the while to escape at the first possible opportunity. But Tate insists that he honor his end of the bargain at work on the ranch. She has no intention of consummating the union, a fact that drives the hot-to-trot Moon up a wall. She puts him to work on the gold mine that she has on her property, while his old gang prepares to relieve the couple of their gold once it's on the surface. Jack Nicholson personally selected movie newcomer Mary Steenburgen for Goin' South. The film also features John Belushi in the role of a dyspeptic deputy. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Jack Nicholson
- Written By
- John Herman Shaner, Al Ramrus, Charles Shyer, Alan Mandel
- Genres
- Western, Drama, Comedy
- In Theaters
- Jan 1, 1978 Wide
- Studio
- Paramount Home Video
Critic Reviews
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Variety Staff, Variety
Jack Nicholson playing Gabby Hayes is interesting, even amusing at times, but Hayes was never a leading man, which Goin' South desperately needs.
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, Time Out
Nicholson's second film as director, a wonderfully beguiling Western...
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Chuck O'Leary, Fantastica Daily
Jack Nicholson is hilarious in this underrated comedy Western.
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Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
Nicholson does a markedly better job with the material than anyone could have expected.
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Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Goin' South is a gritty Western with plenty of spunk.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Jack Nicholson
as Henry Moon
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Mary Steenburgen
as Julia Tate
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Christopher Lloyd
as Towfield
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John Belushi
as Hector
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Veronica Cartwright
as Hermine
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Danny DeVito
as Hog
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Richard Bradford
as Sheriff Kyle
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Jeff Morris
as Big Abe
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Gerald H. Reynolds
as Polty
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Luana Anders
as Mrs. Anderson
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George Smith
as Mr. Anderson
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Lucy Lee Flippin
as Mrs. Haber
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Ed Begley Jr
as Mr. Haber
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Maureen Byrnes
as Mrs. Warren
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B.J. Merholz
as Mr. Warren
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Britt Leach
as Parson Weems
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Georgia Schmidt
as Florence
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R.L. Armstrong
as Farmer Standard
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Dennis Fimple
as Hangman
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Anne Ramsey
as Spinster II
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Lin Shaye
as Parasol Lady
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Tracey Walter
as Coofan
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Barbara Walters
as Spinster I
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Loren Janes
as Passenger
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Don Charles McGovern
as Bartender
- May Boss
