The Fastest Guitar Alive is a 1967 American musical comedy Western film, directed by Michael D. Moore with singer Roy Orbison in his only starring role as an actor.
The film features Orbison performing seven original songs, which appeared on his 1967 MGM album of the same name. His song "There Won't Be Many Coming Home" is featured in the 2015 western film The Hateful Eight.
Plot
Near the end of the American Civil War, a Southern spy (Orbison) with a bullet-shooting guitar is given the task of robbing gold bullion from the United States Mint in San Francisco to help finance the ill-fated Confederacy's last-ditch war effort.
Cast
Roy Orbison as Johnny Banner
Sammy Jackson as Steve Menlo
Maggie Pierce as Flo Chesnut
Joan Freeman as Sue Chesnut
Lyle Bettger as Charlie
John Doucette as Marshal Max Cooper
Patricia Donahue as Stella DeWitt
Ben Cooper as Deputy Rink
Ben Lessy as Indian Chief
Douglas Kennedy as Sheriff Joe Stedman
Iron Eyes Cody as First Indian
Sam the Sham as First Expressman
Production and release
Filming began September 1966. Although Orbison was pleased with the film, it proved to be a critical and box office flop. While MGM had included five films in his contract, no more were made.
Soundtrack
The Fastest Guitar Alive is the soundtrack for the 1967 film of the same name – and Orbison's eleventh studio album – released in June 1967 on MGM Records. It was the only album to consist entirely of Roy Orbison/Bill Dees originals. Its single "There Won't Be Many Coming Home" reached #18 in the UK and entered the Australian chart at its highest position of #32 before slipping down the chart.
Track listing
All songs written by Roy Orbison and Bill Dees.
The track "Rollin' On" was covered on the Prague Radio Dance Orchestra album Famous Western Film Melodies.