The Fastest Guitar Alive


The Fastest Guitar Alive is a 1967 American musical comedy film directed by Michael D. Moore and starring 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 record 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

A musical western, the story is set near the end of the American Civil War, with Orbison portraying a Southern spy with a bullet-shooting guitar given the task of robbing gold bullion from the United States Mint in San Francisco in order to help finance the Confederacy's war effort.

Cast

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 title for the 33 record album from MGM Records—and Orbison's eleventh studio album—released in June 1967. 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 33 record album Famous Western Film Melodies by the Prague Radio Dance Orchestra, ARTIA SUPRAPHON 1 13 1788.