The Man from Button Willow (1965): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 1965, The Man from Button Willow is an animation and western film directed by David Detiege, running about 81 minutes. “A DELIGHTFULLY DIFFERENT, EXCITINGLY NEW ADVENTURE IN ENTERTAINMENT!” — that tagline sets the tone.

What it’s about. In 1869, Justin Eagle lives on his ranch called "The Eagle's Nest" near the town of Button Willow, California. In addition to being a rancher, Juston is a trouble-shooter for the U. S. Government which calls for him to act as an undercover operative and thwart the forces of evil in the rapidly-growing West. He is sent to San Franciso to find missing U. S. Senaator Freeman, who has disappeared while fighting the efforts of Montgomery Blaine, a villain who has been, with the aid of his henchman, "The Whip," forcing settlers to sell their land to him, not knowing that the land is in the path of a proposed railroad, from Utah, that will link the western United States to the East. Senator Freeman is the leader of an effort to veer the railroad southward to bypass Blaine's land and, for his efforts, is kidnapped by Bliane's henchmen and shanghaied from the San Francisco waterfront. Justin Eagle's job is to find and return him safely.

Who’s in it. The Man from Button Willow stars Dale Robertson as Justin Eagle, Edgar Buchanan as Sorry, Barbara Jean Wong as Stormy and Herschel Bernardi as The Captain / Saloon Man#1, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 5.5/10, The Man from Button Willow has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.

Where to watch. In US you can stream it on Artiflix. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Man from Button Willow page.

If you liked it. Fans of The Man from Button Willow tend to enjoy Spirited Away, Your Name., Grave of the Fireflies and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.