Directed by:
John G. AvildsenScreenplay:
Thomas RickmanCinematography:
James CrabeComposer:
Dave GrusinCast:
Burt Reynolds, Jerry Reed, Ned Beatty, James Hampton, Don Williams, Polly Holliday, Hal Needham, Art Carney, Brad Dourif, Gil Rogers, Frank Moore, Rick Hurst (more)Plots(1)
In Nashville during the mid-1950s confidence man Reynolds has been getting even with a large oil company by robbing gas stations. A thief with a heart, Reynolds always gives part of the take back to the underpaid attendants, his philosophy being that they are getting pennies while the oil companies are raking in an absurd amount of money. When pursuit gets too intense, in the form of Art Carney as a detective-evangelist, Reynolds becomes the manager of a struggling country music band. Through his manipulative abilities Reynolds lands the band a gig at the Grand Ole Opry, himself going through a change because of his association with the band. Reynolds is perfect as the sweet-talking hustler who doesnt take himself or anything else very seriously. Also featured is a rare performance by old-time blues singer Furry Lewis. Van Dyke is charming in her screen debut. (official distributor synopsis)
(more)Cast
Burt Reynolds
USA
Best movies:
Jerry Reed
USA
Best movies:
Smokey and the Bandit (1977)
High-Ballin' (1978)
Bat*21 (1988)
Ned Beatty
USA
Best movies:
Toy Story 3 (2010)
All the President's Men (1976)
The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean (1972)
James Hampton
USA
Best movies:
Sling Blade (1996)
Pump Up the Volume (1990)
Soldier Blue (1970)
Don Williams
USA
Best movies:
The Dukes of Hazzard: Reunion! (1997) (TV movie)
Smokey and the Bandit II (1980)
Polly Holliday
USA
Best movies:
All the President's Men (1976)
Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)
The Parent Trap (1998)
Hal Needham
USA
Best movies:
Sometimes a Great Notion (1971)
French Connection II (1975)
Nickelodeon (1976)
Art Carney
USA
Best movies:
Steel (1979)
The Yellow Rolls-Royce (1964)
Harry and Tonto (1974)
Brad Dourif
USA
Best movies:
Gil Rogers
USA
Best movies:
The Panic in Needle Park (1971)
Blast of Silence (1961)
Parades (1972)
Frank Moore
Canada
Best movies:
Murdoch Mysteries: Once Upon a Murdoch Christmas (2016) (TV movie)
Nuremberg (2000) (TV movie)
Under the Banner of Heaven (2022) (series)
Rick Hurst
USA
Best movies:
The Dukes of Hazzard: Reunion! (1997) (TV movie)
In the Line of Fire (1993)
Executive Action (1973)
Fred Stuthman
USA
Best movies:
The Gift of Love (1978) (TV movie)
Roots: The Next Generations (1979) (series)
Escape from Alcatraz (1979)
Bill McCutcheon
USA
Best movies:
Steel Magnolias (1989)
Viva Max! (1969)
Mr. Destiny (1990)
Norman Grabowski
USA
Best movies:
The Towering Inferno (1974)
The Honeymoon Machine (1961)
The Young Lions (1958)
Mort Marshall
USA
Best movies:
Kiss Me Deadly (1955)
The Longest Yard (1974)
The Grissom Gang (1971)
Mel Tillis
USA
Best movies:
Every Which Way But Loose (1978)
The Cannonball Run (1981)
Smokey and the Bandit II (1980)
Conny Van Dyke
USA
Best movies:
Framed (1975)