DALTON LIVES LIKE A LONER, FIGHTS LIKE A PROFESSIONAL. AND LOVES LIKE THERE’S NO TOMORROW.

Professional bouncer James Dalton (Patrick Swayze) is hired to work at a club in Missouri, getting tangled up in the business of a local strongman (Ben Gazzara).

Derided by most critics, this thoroughly ridiculous film gained a certain cult reputation over the years, because of Swayze’s sex appeal and the film’s over-the-top machismo and violence (including a scene where Dalton literally rips someone’s throat out!).

Cheesy when it isn’t violent, but boring it ain’t; also benefits from Jeff Healey and his band who play at the Double Deuce.

1989-U.S. 114 min. Color. Widescreen. Produced by Joel Silver. Directed by Rowdy Herrington. Cast: Patrick Swayze (James Dalton), Kelly Lynch (Elizabeth ”Doc” Clay), Sam Elliott (Wade Garrett), Ben Gazzara, Kevin Tighe, Red West.

Trivia: Annette Bening was initially cast as ”Doc”; Scott Glenn was considered for a role. Swayze sings two songs on the soundtrack, and co-wrote a third. Followed by a direct-to-DVD sequel, Road House 2 (2006); remade as Road House (2024).