Songwriter (1984)
- Starring:
- Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, (more)
- Director(s):
- Alan Rudolph
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- R
- Format(s):
- DVD
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Synopsis of Songwriter
A good ol' boy comedy-drama, Songwriter flashes enough substance between the songs and the hijinks to qualify as a sometimes astute look into the darker areas of the music business. Willie Nelson plays Doc Jenkins, the title character, who conspires with longtime pal Blackie Buck (Kris Kristofferson) to turn the tables on a shady promoter, Rodeo Rocky (Richard Sarafian), who has Doc signed to a contract that is one step short of indentured servitude. Lesley Ann Warren plays Gilda, an up-and-coming country chanteuse whom Doc is tutoring. The rest of the supporting cast is a mix of veteran character players (Rip Torn, Melinda Dillon) and musicians associated with Nelson (Mickey Raphael, Bee Spears, Jody Payne, Johnny Gimble). There are also plenty of musical numbers featuring Nelson and Kristofferson (solo and duets). The musicians/actors went on to co-star in two TV movies, A Pair of Aces and Another Pair of Aces, essentially playing the same kind of good ol' boy characters, though as detectives, not songwriters. ~ Tom Wiener, Rovi
- Theatrical Feature Running Time:
- 94 mins
Complete Cast of Songwriter
- Willie Nelson - Doc Jenkins
- Melinda Dillon - Honey Carder
- Lesley Ann Warren - Gilda
- Rhonda Dotson - Corkie
- Cleve Dupin - Road Manager
- Gailard Sartain - Mulreaux
- Sage Parker - Pattie McLeish
- Stephen Bruton - Sam/Member of Roarers Band
- Catherine Molloy - Doc's Girl Friend
- John Shaw - Cashier
- Jackie King - Guitar Player
- Glen Clark - Paul
- Sammy Allred - Disc Jockey
- Joe Keyes - Eddie
- William Boyd - Blind Tommy's Brother
- Johnny Gimble - Fiddle Player
- Kris Kristofferson - Blackie Buck
- Rip Torn - Dino McLeish
- Mickey Raphael - Arly
- Richard Sarafian - Rodeo Rocky
- Grady Martin - Guitar, Gilda's Band
- Donnie Fritts - Roarers Band
- Paul English - Drums, Gilda's Band
- Shannon Wilcox - Anita
- Jeff MacKay - Hogan
- Booker T. Jones - Keyboard, Gilda's Band
- Bob Nelson - Piano, Gilda's Band
- Bee Spears - Bass, Gilda's Band
- Poodie Locke - Purvis
- Jody Payne - Guitar, Gilda's Band
- Bob Gould - Ralph
- Steve Fromholz - Engineer
- Director(s):
- Alan Rudolph
- Writer(s):
- Bud Shrake, Alan Rudolph
- Producer(s):
- Sydney Pollack, Mike Moder
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- R(Nudity, Profanity, Adult Situations, Adult Language, Not For Children, Violence)
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