Lewis Tater writes Wild West dime novels and dreams of actually becoming a cowboy. When he goes west to find his dream he finds himself in possession of the loot box of two crooks who tried to rob him.

Jeff Bridges
as Lewis Tater

Alan Arkin
as Bert Kessler

Blythe Danner
as Miss Trout

Andy Griffith
as Howard Pike

Alex Rocco
as Earl

Richard B. Shull
as Stout Crook

Anthony James
as Lean Crook

Donald Pleasence
as A.J. Nietz

Frank Cady
as Pa Tater

Herb Edelman
as Polo