Since I could not find a youtube video link of Moviedrome presenter Alex Cox introducing director/star Jack Nicholson’s 1978 curio western comedy Goin’ South, readers will have to rely on a transcript of his introduction instead (read here). The episode’s original airdate was May 27, 1990 (read here). Goin’ South was Nicholson’s second film as a director – seven years after his previous film Drive, He Said and 12 years before The Two Jakes (a sequel to Chinatown). The third title was very good, but as with Drive, He Said, Goin’ South are little more than good. Make no mistake, this is not a bad film, but as a comedy, it is only half as funny as it should be and as a 70’s western, it lacks everything that made both The Hired Hand and The Missouri Breaks so poetic (like the former) or deeply fascinating (like the latter). I agree with everything Cox says about it, especially how it pales in comparison to the latter from two years earlier in 1976 (read here).
I can’t really seem to find a theatrical trailer to it so I am afraid you dear readers will have to read it’s wikipedia or watch youtube clips of it.
cinematiccoffee 
I didn’t care much for that film. I have always had issues with Nicholson. Occasionally brilliant, often overacting to the level of irritation. He makes or breaks his films depending on how much he is allowed to get away with, it seems to me.
Best wishes, Pete.
I definitely concur with Pete’s opinion of Jack Nicholson. When it comes to westerns Goin’ South isn’t really to my taste, although it does have some great quotes, a fantastic score and a supporting cast to die for.
I agree with Pete to some extinct (I like Nicholson better than he does but not as much as most people–Americans, at least). I agree with Paul about the dialogue and score.
Like you, I liked this film quiet a lot, John, although I don’t care for his other directorial outings.
I never have a problem with Nicholson, but I am aware that you do. While I may like this film a little more than you do, it is undoubtedly too imperfect of a film to be qualified as either very good or great. Anyway, thanks for dropping by 🙂
Yeah Goin’ South does have a lot going for it, but it never electrifies like it should. Anyway, thanks for dropping by 🙂
Goin’ South was interesting on the surface and entertaining in the center, but as a whole, it lacks everything that made The Hired Hand and The Missouri Breaks unique. Anyway, thanks for dropping by 🙂
Dang! I figure I’ve seen most every Western from that era.Nobody can do slob like Nicholson. But I never saw this one … got lots of catching up to do.
Goin’ South is good, but not great or even very good for that matter. But see for yourself 🙂 Anyway, thanks for dropping by 🙂
Whadaya think of this?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yuNLk65R54
Love it Steve 🙂 Alex Cox’s commentary on Goin South is insightful as always 🙂 Given that it is directed by Jack Nicholson, you probably already knew that he directed the sequel to Chinatown entitled The Two Jakes 🙂
It’s a great intro. I’m really pleased it’s been uploaded. Another Alex intro rescued from oblivion. It is a very insightful intro. Alex’s opinion on westerns is particularly interesting. He says the cast have “very bad colds”. No. Cocaine!
I think Goin’ South is a good film. It doesn’t work as a comedy as I didn’t laugh at all while watching it but it works as a western so it’s halfway there. It has a great cast and they are all good in the film. Nicholson did a good job directing it and it’s a good looking film. Great locations and it’s very nicely photographed by Nestor Almendros. The script is good. It’s a good film overall but it isn’t anything exceptional. It’s watchable and there are good things in it.
Alex mentions The Missouri Breaks. I actually didn’t like The Missouri Breaks. It has an incredible cast but apart from that I thought it wasn’t good and was forgettable. I think Goin’ South is better than The Missouri Breaks. I haven’t seen The Two Jakes.
Also, Alex wrote a blog post on his latest movie which is in postproduction on alexcox.com.
I shall read it Steve 🙂 Though I might get a bit teary eyed given that this will be Cox’s last film as a director. This truly marks the end of an era.