Smokey and the Bandit

As long as we recognize Lucas is washed up and most TV sucks, we'll all get along fine.
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Malcolm
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Joined: Fri May 21, 2004 1:04 pm
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Smokey and the Bandit

Post by Malcolm »

Synopsis:
Perhaps the most well known beer run in history.

Review:
One of my favourite parts about this flick is the premise. Two insane rich dudes pay Burt to get them some Coors.
In 1977, Coors was unavailable for sale east of Oklahoma. A 1974 Time magazine article explains why Coors was so sought after that someone could be willing to pay the Bandit such a high price to transport it. Coors Banquet Beer enjoyed a brief renaissance as certain people sought it out for its lack of stabilizers and preservatives. The article explains that future Vice President Gerald Ford hid it in his luggage after a trip to Colorado in order to take it back to Washington. President Dwight D. Eisenhower had a steady supply airlifted to Washington by the Air Force. The article also mentions Frederick Amon, who smuggled it from Colorado to North Carolina and sold it for four times the retail price. The lack of additives and preservatives meant that Coors had the potential for spoiling in a week if it was not kept cold throughout its transportation and storage at its destination. This explains the 28 hour deadline.
You'll also note the 1977 date there, which one was of the two years CB culture was inexplicably popular. Then there's Burt, who was just starting his upsurge to super stardom. He's paired with a Sally Fields...

... wtf?

Anyway, you've also got Jerry Reed supporting and probably helping out with the theme music. However, the real star is Jackie Gleason as Buford T. Justice. Slays me every fucking scene.

Verdict:
A classic. Check it out.
Diogenes of Sinope: "It is not that I am mad, it is only that my head is different from yours."
Arnold Judas Rimmer, BSC, SSC: "Better dead than smeg."
GORDON
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Re: Smokey and the Bandit

Post by GORDON »

This is the movie that motivated me to buy a Trans Am in 2000 when I could finally afford one.
"Be bold, and mighty forces will come to your aid."
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