Las Vegas Hillbillys

Las Vegas Hillbillys is a 1966 music-oriented comedy film featuring music stars Ferlin Husky and Jayne Mansfield, alongside renowned actress Mamie Van Doren. Directed by Arthur C. Pierce, the film showcases a playful yet surprising skirmish involving eccentric Tennessee treasure miners and sophisticated Las Vegas city folk.

The film revolves around Woody Wetherby (played by Ferlin Husky), an amiable and carefree country singer hailing from Tennessee. After discovering a hidden diamond mine in his inherited property, Woody decides to make the most of this newfound wealth. Rather than staying in rural Tennessee, he opts to move to the flashy and glimmering city of Las Vegas. His idea involves introducing his folksy music and down-home ethos to the vibrant lifestyle of Las Vegas entertainment.

As the audience follows Woody's footsteps into the glamorous town, the film provides a contrast between Woody's traditional and simple hillbilly charm and the flashy culture of the Gambling Capital of the World. Coming with him is his country cousin, Boots Malone portrayed by the iconic Jayne Mansfield, who holds a captivating beauty and charm herself. The duo, decorated in unusual Hillbilly attire, stands out in stark contrast against the backdrop of Las Vegas high society, causing intrigue, comedy, and hilarity to ensue.

Through a stroke of luck, Woody acquires a failing casino, which he chooses to revamp using his Hillbilly music and country humor, adding an original rural touch to the Las Vegas nightlife. As he steps into the role of a casino owner, the film offers an amusing commentary on the cultural clashes between the relaxed atmosphere of the countryside and the high energy of a city consumed by gambling and entertainment.

The movie ups the ante with another character, Tawny (played by Mamie Van Doren), an alluring showbiz performer with her sights set on Woody's newfound fortune. A series of comedic circumstances unfolds as Tawny attempts to charm and flatter her way into Woody's life, further complicating the plot and adding to the overall richness of the story.

The film's music is another highlight. Husky performs several toe-tapping country numbers which successfully merge the Hillbilly culture with the ritzy Las Vegas ambiance, offering the audience enjoyable musical sequences that are interspersed with comedic plot twists and turns. Additionally, the film features musical numbers from an array of other performers, adding variety and a sense of authenticity to the amusement ambiance.

Las Vegas Hillbillys not only works well as a comedy but also as a musical romance. The film beautifully brings together a vibrant array of characters and carefully contrasts them with the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas. From country barn dances to regal casino clubs, the audience is transported between two exceptionally different worlds, making it a unique film with a charming plot.

Making the most of its star-studded cast, the film indulges in slapstick comedy, entertaining music numbers, and playful romance. Ferlin Husky delivers a delightfully charismatic performance, carrying his country-boy charm throughout. Jayne Mansfield, known for her comedic timing and glamorous persona, does not disappoint, providing the film with its necessary share of laughs and beauty.

The combination of country charm and city glamour makes Las Vegas Hillbillys a memorable and entertaining experience that showcases mid-60s American culture in a light and engaging manner. Although primarily a comedy, it also offers a narrative on displaced country folks trying to adapt to the bustling city life, providing occasional, touching moments of truth and sincerity.

In conclusion, Las Vegas Hillbillys is a light-hearted, fun-filled feature that steps back in time and presents an entertaining portrayal of cultural clashes, big dreams, comedic scenarios, and catchy tunes, making it a definite must-watch for fans of classic American cinema. Playful, energetic and brimming with comical hijinks, it’s an adorably outlandish tribute to the swinging '60s, presented with a yee-haw!