W.W. and the Dixie Dancekings is a lighthearted comedy film starring Burt Reynolds.
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W.W. Bright (Reynolds) drives around the American South of 1957 robbing gas stations, typically bribing poorly paid station attendants with part of the proceeds to give bad descriptions of the robber. One night, while dodging a policeman, he happens upon a country music band, the Dixie Dancekings, performing in a small hall. Pretty singer Dixie backs up W.W.'s alibi when the cop starts asking questions.
W.W. starts bragging about how he's a bigshot in the music business, and soon, he's promoting the band, over the objections (and suspicions) of Wayne (Reed), the group's leader. Wayne is proven right when W.W. brazenly robs another gas station with the band watching in his highly distinctive Oldsmobile. Of course the musicians object, but he sweet talks them into sticking with him.
Eventually W.W. tries to stick up the wrong man, and soon very religious former lawman Deacon John Wesley Gore (Art Carney) is hot on their trail. After a failed bank robbery, W.W. is ready to leave to protect the Dancekings, but then he hears their "brand new sound". He convinces Country Bull (Ned Beatty) to listen to them; he is impressed enough to let them perform at the Grand Ole Opry. Gore apprehends W.W. there and makes him drive to the Nashville police station, but just as they arrive, Gore realizes it's now Sunday. He lets W.W. go.
Best part of story, including ending:
It's mostly comedy with just the right dash of drama, not so much that it drags down the rest of the movie.
Best scene in story:
The two scenes where W.W. talks to Country Bull are a bit of a surprise. Beatty gets to play a wise, successful singer-songwriter rather than his more typical dimwitted buffoon.
Opinion about the main character:
W.W. is a likable scoundrel.
