Fools Parade 1971

Watched this movie last night. Not sure that I had ever heard of it before. Tremendous cast including Jimmy Stewart, Strother Martin, George Kennedy, Kurt Russell and David Huddleston.

It was listed as a “crime/drama” be seemed to be more like it was trying to be a black comedy. It’s set during the Depression. The basic plot of the movie was that Stewart is released from
prison after serving a 40-year sentence where he has “earned” a $25,000 check, but the evil banker Huddleston (before the chinaman took his legs) and corrupt prison captain Kennedy don’t want to pay it.
Martin and Russell are Stewart’s fellow prisoners who are released with him, and plan on using the money to open a general
store.

It plays like a proto-Coen brothers film in my estimation. Lot of over the top characters. Stewart has a glass eye that allows him to see the future. Kennedy has horrible teeth. Martin is obsessed with the inventory for the future store. Robert Donner and Anne Baxter show up
as quirky characters in supporting roles.

It was entertaining and moved fairly quickly. Seems to have decently aged.