I watched "The Magnificent Seven" on TV for the umpteenth time the other night. Next time it's on out where you live, pay special attention to the Horst Bucholz role. He plays Chico, a two-bit punk who wants to become a gunfighter, like Steve McQueen and Yul Brynner.
Chico's problem, however, is that he has an abundance of bravado but is slow on the draw. After one scene in which Yul Brynner humiliates Chico for the lad's own good, Chico comes into the bar all drunked up and goes gunning for Yul Brynner. Poor Chico self-destructs, but because all the hired guns realize he's just a punk, he's allowed to live.
Chico's persistent, like a hungry mosquito. He tags along after the Magnificent Seven across the Rio Grande. Finally, Yul Brynner gives in and allows Chico to ride with the big boys to face down the evil bandit Calvera.
In the end, all the good guys all get gunned down except for Yul Brynner, Steve McQueen and Chico. As Brynner and McQueen ride off into the sunset, Chico realizes that he's not cut out to be a gunfighter. So he swaps his gun for a corn rake.
When I saw Horst Buchholz on TV the other night, I thought of you a lot. |
