US (1977): Comedy/Action

"Smokey," aka Sheriff Buford T. Justice (Jackie Gleason), is the prospective father-in-law of unwilling bride Carrie (Sally Field). "The Bandit" (Burt Reynolds), a maverick race car driver, makes an $80,000 bet that he can transport a shipment of Coors beer from Texarkana, Texas to Atlanta within 28 hours. It's important to note that in 1977, it was illegal to sell the Coors brand east of the Mississippi River without a permit; if we don't note that, then the plot won't make sense at times. Already in danger of arrest from redneck lawmen like Justice, Bandit furthers his chances at a stiff jail term when he offers a ride to Carrie, who hopes to escape her unwanted wedding to Justice's boy. The rest of the film is one long chase, not quite as subtle as a Road Runner/Coyote cartoon, not quite as restrained as a Three Stooges comedy. The cast also features Jerry Reed, Paul Williams and Pat McCormick.

Universally panned by critics upon its first release, Smokey and the Bandit reaped something in the neighborhood of $50 million at the box office, so two sequels (1980 and 1983) were inevitable. Hal Neeham co-wrote and directed the original and several of the made-for-TV spin-offs. (Rastar-Universal) (Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide)

 View a trailer for this film on YouTube.com.

1 nomination