The Fastest Guitar Alive

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
A soundtrack album for the film was 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 No. 18 in the UK and entered the Australian chart at its highest position of #32 before slipping down the chart.

Reception
Richie Unterberger of AllMusic said the album "includes what may be his best obscure tune, the rarely anthologized "Whirlwind." With its galloping rhythm, emotive operatic vocals, swirling strings, and ghostly backing vocals, it recalls the best uptempo ballads that he recorded during his early-'60s heyday at the Monument label."

Billboard described as "a pack powerful emotion."