Mystery Science Theater 3000 Season 5 Episode 19 Outlaw
- December 11, 1993
In the episode "Outlaw" of Mystery Science Theater 3000 season 5, Joel and the bots are back to their old tricks of riffing on terrible movies. This time they are forced to endure a low-budget western from 1943 called "Outlaw." As they watch the predictable story unfold, they make fun of the wooden acting, cheesy dialogue, and over-the-top cliches.
The film centers around a cattle rancher named Dan Barton, played by Buck Jones, who decides to take matters into his own hands when his cattle are being rustled. He forms a vigilante group and sets out to catch the thieves. Along the way, he falls in love with the daughter of a rancher who is suspected of being involved in the rustling. As he tries to clear her father's name and bring the true culprits to justice, Barton must confront a corrupt sheriff and a ruthless gang leader.
Joel and the bots have a field day with the absurdity of the plot, mocking the characters' exaggerated accents and silly actions. They also take jabs at the film's poor production quality, pointing out the visible boom mic and the obvious use of sound effects instead of actual gunshots. As always, their commentary is clever and witty, providing endless entertainment for the viewer.
One of the highlights of the episode comes when the movie's main villain, a man named "Lobo," appears on screen. Joel and the bots are quick to point out his resemblance to the classic wrestler "The Iron Sheik," and they jokingly reference his career as a wrestler throughout the rest of the episode. This running joke adds an extra layer of humor to the already ridiculous movie.
In addition to their comedic commentary, Joel and the bots also perform a few skits throughout the episode. One standout moment comes when they find a cardboard cutout of Lobo and decide to use it for a game of "pin the tail on the bad guy." Another amusing skit involves Joel pretending to be an old-timey cowboy and singing a song about the joys of the Wild West.
Overall, "Outlaw" is a great example of why Mystery Science Theater 3000 remains a cult favorite among fans of bad movies. The riffing is sharp, the jokes are hilarious, and the chemistry between Joel and the bots is undeniable. Even if you've never seen the movie being lampooned, you'll still find plenty to laugh at in this episode.