Comedy legend Tim Conway (The Apple Dumpling Gang, The Private Eyes, Dorf on Golf, TV’s The Carol Burnett Show) and Chuck McCann (C.H.O.M.P.S.) break out the laughs as two dipstick deputies who go undercover in a maximum-security prison. But when the only man who knows their true identities croaks, these jailbirds hatch a zany plot to fly the coop—and discover that sometimes even justice needs a little correction! Bursting with boisterous sight gags, slapstick buffoonery and a wild finale, this madcap caper is so comical…it’s criminal! Co-starring Reni Santoni (Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid), Richard Kiel (The Longest Yard), Lenny Montana (The Godfather), Dub Taylor (Gator), Grace Zabriskie (TV’s Twin Peaks) and Sonny Shroyer & Ben Jones (Enos & Cooter of TV’s The Dukes of Hazzard), They Went That-A-Way & That-A-Way fires off hilarity in all directions—this-a-way, that-a-way and the Con-a-way! Screenplay by Tim Conway (The Prize Fighter) and co-directed by Stuart E. McGowan (The Billion Dollar Hobo) and Edward Montagne (The Reluctant Astronaut).
For thoughts on They Went That-A-Way & That-A-Way, please check out our discussion on The Video Attic:
Video Quality
They Went That-A-Way & That-A-Way makes its Blu-Ray debut courtesy of Kino Classics with a digital AVC encoded 1080p transfer that appears to be derived from a decent older master that provides a pleasant enough image. The presentation succeeds throughout most of the runtime with image stability and delineation being handled well. Skin tones are natural and consistent with only a slight pinkish tint at times and with facial features easily noticeable in closeup. Black levels hold up decently with little in the way of crush. This transfer maintains the natural film grain of the presentation with only occasional instances of it seeming a bit thick. The picture has moments of noticeable softness, but colors are well saturated with the bright hues coming through. Instances of print damage such as nicks and lines have not been completely eradicated, but overall clarity and detail is strong. This presentation may have looked a bit better with a new master, but fans of the film will be pleased with the presentation.
Audio Quality
The Blu-Ray comes with a really good DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio track that serves this film well. While the video could probably be improved, this audio track at least shows no discernible age related wear and tear such as hissing or popping. Dialogue and environmental noises are represented in harmony with all competing elements such as any crowds or outdoor sounds. The Michael Leonard score really adds a vibrancy to the antics which is rendered with clarity. Despite the strength of these elements, nothing ever overpowers the dialogue or other important information. The execution of the sound design seems to be in line with the creative intent. There are also optional English (SDH) subtitles included for the feature film. Kino Classics has delivered a favorable presentation.
Special Features
- TV Spots: A minute-long collection of TV spots are provided for They Went That-A-Way & That-A-Way.
- Trailers: The nearly two-minute trailer for They Went That-A-Way & That-A-Way is provided here. There are also trailers provided for Bank Shot, The Last Remake Of Beau Geste, Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid and C.H.O.M.P.S.
Final Thoughts
They Went That-A-Way & That-A-Way is a fairly ridiculous high-concept comedy which delivers some broad laughs but feels dated in many respects. The reason to seek this one out is the talent of the comedians turning in committed performances. The film is paced very well and does not draw out the movie longer than it needs to be. This is not a high-water mark of 1970’s comedies, but it is a solid support player if you are in the mood for something more overlooked. Kino Classics has released a new Blu-Ray featuring a solid A/V presentation but not too much in the way of special features. If you are a fan of the talent involved, it is worth a watch.
They Went That-A-Way & That-A-Way is currently available to purchase on Blu-Ray.
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.
Disclaimer: Kino Classics has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
Dillon is most comfortable sitting around in a theatre all day watching both big budget and independent movies.