Burt Reynolds is something of a joke now, but he was a huge star in the '70s, and for good reason. This movie wasn't a hit, but Judy and I saw it in the theater, and we both loved it.The setting is 1957, and Reynolds plays W. W., who's cruising the south in his great-looking Oldsmobile and robbing filling stations. Remember those? Anyway, in the course of his adventures, he steals the car belonging to a country band known as the Dixie Dancekings. While they're still in it. They go along with his robbery, and some more besides, because they're in dire need of money. Reynolds becomes their manager. The oil company whose stations Reynolds is robbing sends out ex-lawman Art Carney to put a stop to the depredations, and things get a bit complicated before they settle down to a happy and satisfying ending.
W. W. and the Dixie Dancekings has a great cast, including country stars Jerry Reed, Don Williams, and Mel Tillis. There's even a performance by bluesman Furry Lewis. The movie's fast and funny, and Reynolds is at the top of his game. If you've ever wondered why he was so big, see this one (or Gator or White Lightning or, for something entirely different, Deliverance). This one's right up there with 'em.
6 comments:
Although I took a backseat to no one in my love of Burt back in the day, I have to disagree with you about the entertainment value of this movie. I saw it on a triple-bill with White Lightening and (I believe) White Line Fever (which was not a B.R. movie), so maybe it was just so late when I saw it, I didn't get it, but I thought it was pretty lame. Anyway, I always think of this as the movie that started the slide of Burt's career. It just seemed like he didn't care anymore.
And, moreso than anyone I can think of other than John Travolta, his career has gone through all kinds of gyrations since. He's used well in HOTEL, the Mike Figgis horror film about filming THE DUCHESS OF MALFI, for example. BOOGIE NIGHTS did for his career what PULP FICTION did for Travolta's. Etc. A similar lack of rudder to Travolta's, probably.
Good comparison, Todd, although I found his TV show had some charm-something about Evening Shade.
Well, Evening Shade had a great cast. Of course that's the show where Burt was flying his girlfriend in every week as soon as then-wife Loni Anderson was out of sight. That's why I have little compassion for him now - it's not only that he humiliated his wife (wives) but he made his cast and crew members co-conspirators.
Jeff
I enjoyed him playing Burt Reynolds in the animated series "Archer."
Bill,
Good choice...W.W.'s a fav of mine too...saw it opening night and the theater was packed and the audience ate it up...BR is helped here by a great supporting cast and some wonderful music...
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