Clint Eastwood the consummate 70s tough guy stars in the Every Which Way but Loose opposite an Orangutan named Clyde who was a scene stealer in the action comedy. Eastwood, forever of his own mind, went against the advice of everyone when he took on the project. But true to himself and his fans, the movie and subsequent sequel became 2 of Eastwood’s highest grossing films.
Eastwood plays Philo Beddoe, a trucker who picks up extra work by bare-knuckle boxing. He is faithful, living right next to his brother and mother, for whom he feels some responsibility. He has a pet Orangutan he adores, and when he thinks he has fallen for a honky-tonk singer, he goes on a cross country trip after her. Conflicts arise while making the trip, and he settles everything with dry wit, his fists and periodically a little help from family.
Finding his love interest does not go as planned, the woman is no good. And he tells her he was stupid to have ever thought more of her, than she deserves.
He gets the chance to fight a boxing legend that he has been compared to all his engagements. Tank Murdoch is set to retire after one final bout, and Philo comes up against the ageing legend. Both have undefeated records but Philo has youth on his side. In the end, he drops his guard, letting his hero retire on top of his game.
Every Which Way but Loose hit the screens in 1978 and was directed by James Fargo.
