Reynolds and Field began dating during the filming.[13]. I thought at the time that it was a newer version of White Lightning (also with Burt Reynolds) and that Smokey would be forgotten just as soon. Will Walker: Independence Return For Season 2 Amid CW Shakeups? In 2006, a DVD re-release was issued of Smokey and the Bandit featuring a digitally remastered audio track with 5.1 Dolby-compatible surround sound. Always loved this movie growing up. Rob's Car Movie Review: Smokey and the Bandit (1977) - Street Muscle [24] With an original budget of $5.3 million (cut to $4.3 million two days before initial production),[4] the film eventually grossed $126,737,428 in North America,[25] making it the second-highest-grossing movie of 1977 (only Star Wars earned more, with $221.3 million). The next movie, Smokey and the Bandit II, featured the same cast and an updated version of the Trans Am.The second version of the Smokey and the Bandit car was a 1980 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am that had a similar paint job, the updated front end, and gold "Turbine" style wheels.The 1980 models featured a turbocharged 4.9L Pontiac V8, but that still wasn't enough power for the stunt personnel. Its weird how it works. While it's sad that the other two cars were destroyed . Supposedly there was a stick car for the burnouts and an automatic car for other shots. Frog not included. Wealthy Texan Big Enos Burdette and his son Little Enos have sponsored a racer in Atlanta's Southern Classic and want to celebrate in style when he wins, so they are seeking a trucker willing to bootleg Coors Beer to Atlanta for their refreshment. Always a favorite. HotCars covers all things automotive: the latest auto news and informative reviews on the car, pickup truck and motorcycle industries. Behind Sheriff Justices Pontiac, there is a nice looking 1965 or 1966 Ford Mustang fastback and a Toyota pickup. Producer Hal Needham intended Smokey and the Bandit to be one of the best product placement films of all time. The other range car was a Chevette for people that wanted to learn on a manual transmission. 1975 Plymouth Fury Police Pursuit Arkansas State Police "Smokey and The [28] However, this is inaccurate; within seconds of Bandit picking her up, Frog tells him "there is a wedding in search of a bride" and goes on to explain her ill-advised romance with Junior, as the Bandit holds up the CB mic for the Snowman to hear. I will confess, however, that it was a fun movie to watch and I have caught it on TV a time or two in recent years with my kids. Put one on and the lady looks like shes not wearing a bra. Many hardcore fans of Burt Reynolds' most iconic movie, 1977's "Smokey and The Bandit," know that none of those cool black Pontiac Trans Ams with gold trim survived the stunts in the film. Id like to hear from Mr. Needham why so many of those police cars had what look like shaker hood scoops. Somewhere along the line, the company acquired a new president who told Reynolds: Im the new president, and I dont like your movies. The scene featuring the racetrack was filmed at Lakewood Speedway at the old Lakewood Fairgrounds on Atlanta's south side. Not everything was Pontiac, as evidenced by this 1973 Plymouth Satellite coupe (CC here). These questions all need to be answered. On the DVD, there is a brief interview with both Burt Reynolds and Hal Needham, who directed this film. Just after re-entering Georgia, Snowman is rescued by Bandit after being stopped by a Georgia State Patrol motorcycle trooper, and state and local police intensely pursue Bandit with roadblocks and a helicopter to track his movement. S&TB was filmed primarily off Route 400 in Georgia. I dont know whose idea was to replace the wicked Two Lane Blacktop Chevy sourced engine sound effects with an authentic 200 horsepower muffled smogger 400, but that sumbitch is a scumbum!!! Amazing how a combination of desire and unobtainability can make an ordinary product special. I only got one of them LOL. How Many Cars Did Blues Brothers Wreck | Car Geek The Kenworth even achieves a trifecta of sorts, as it gave the first dent to Sheriff Justices LeMans. I was in the Air Force during this era, stationed in California. If I recall correctly, Firebirds in general (along with Camaros) were selling well prior to 1977, but the Trans Am was not the best-selling one. how many cars were destroyed in smokey and the bandit 2 Mr. Reynolds made a bunch of low budget films before this , all had wild chase scenes with cop cars crashing & going into swamps . The film features the custom clothing and costuming of Niver Western Wear of Fort Worth, Texas. [23] It then opened in just the South of the United States over the Memorial Day weekend and grossed $2,689,851 in 386 theaters. I also own a 1:18 scale version of the Bandit Trans Am. While the initial concern was it having a regional appeal, it would ultimately play as well in New York City and Chicago as it did Atlanta, Georgia, or Biloxi, Mississippi. Reed also penned and performed the song for the opening credits, entitled "The Legend", which tells of some of the Bandit's escapades before the events of the film, and the ballad "The Bandit", which is in several versions in the movie and on the soundtrack. I remember borrowing my brothers red 1976 T/A to take a girl to the theater to see Smokey and the Bandit. Arguably the most iconic Pontiac Firebird in history. The commercials were produced after Stewart mentioned that the movie was one of his favorites.[39]. Out of four Trans Ams used for the filming of Smokey And The Bandit, three were completely totaled in the process. The sticker read "T/A 6.6," which was a reminder of the engine's 6.6-liter displacement. January 24, 2019 100 comments. They destroyed all those cars in the films he said. He paid $550,000 for it, likely a record for any Pontiac Firebird. I agree, despite people saying you sound cute, it seems like they think Ellie Mae Clapett or Jethro Bodean. I've heard . His expletive is obscured when a passing big rig sounds its horn. I know, Ive owned a 75 for 23 years. And it was worth it for the brand, as the nameplate sales decided following the redesign. Two cars were reportedly badly damaged in early stunts in the film, while a third car was completely destroyed during the famous bridge jump scene. I dont know if Ive ever seen the unedited version though, so I never realized the orignal phrase was sum bitch, I always assumed it was worse. how many cars were destroyed in smokey and the bandit 2. Here are 20 facts about the Trans Am from Smokey and the Bandit. It took four evenings to see almost all of the movie in bits and pieces. As I did Steve McQueen and Paul Newman. Some people have ripped this film as being thin on plot; others have called it a documentary about life south of the Mason-Dixon Line. ", "The Bandit Run Brought to you by Restore A Muscle Car", "Stewart plays off 'Smokey and the Bandit in Mobil 1 ad", "Smokey and the Bandit: 40th Anniversary Edition", "Smokey and the Bandit II, Box Office Information", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Smokey_and_the_Bandit&oldid=1142751918, Pages using multiple image with auto scaled images, Album articles lacking alt text for covers, All articles that may contain original research, Articles that may contain original research from April 2022, Articles needing additional references from September 2018, All articles needing additional references, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, "Incidental CB Dialogue" (Voice ["Bandit"] , "Incidental CB Dialogue" (Voice ["Bandit"] Burt Reynolds, Voice ["Smokey"] , "Incidental CB Dialogue" (Voice ["Bandit"] Burt Reynolds, Voice ["Smokey"] Jackie Gleason), George Reynolds as Sheriff George Branford, This page was last edited on 4 March 2023, at 04:45. I beg to differ Mr -Nate. One of our favorite movies. I think more of Smokey and the Bandit II and the awful part 3 were filmed largely in Florida, I dont know if I-75 construction was started by 1976-77, at least the section down to Miami part, when they filmed. However, the scene and the obscured expletive were played for comedy value and written as such, with the passing truck being the gag of the scene more than a way to avoid the censors. Im gonna barbecue your ass in molasses., Re: The picture with 4 ladies and the wagon and van. That is why there are not any left. Originally, the film was going to be a B-movie played only in the Southern United States. He's a proud member of the TopSpeed team since early 2014. Jana, another oddity was that I could go to Carbondale and be asked where down south I was from. Her groom? The 1977 features rectangular quad headlamps instead of only two round lights, a unique slanted and V-shaped nose, and a center-mounted hood scoop. Here is the LeMans; Gleason literally drives the wheels off: As an aside, heres a curious bit of trivia. Free shipping for many products! "Smokey and the Bandit Pursuit Pack" is formatted as a box set that in presented in full color in widescreen. Reynolds and Needham owned the Skoal Bandit team at the time, so getting these other drivers to appear probably would not taken much more than a six pack of beer and a hug from co-star Loni Anderson . They quickly escape in one of Big Enos's 13 Cadillacs as police flood the racetrack. you can find it on amazon.com . New York, The Smokey and the Bandit Car - Carsforsale.com Because sales were so high, Pontiac decided to delay the third-generation model. Please refresh the page and try again. Cinemablend is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. That said, an uncomplimentary accent does exist. With that in mind, Ill go with what Ive heard from my Georgia friends, to wit Sheriff Justices diablo sandwich is the Macon version, which is made with fried eggs and red hots. There was still a market for bras in the 1970s. How many smokey and the bandit movies are there? Misconception by casual novice car fans is that the Trams Am didnt sell well until S&B. Rockford Files also featured Firebird, and was on since 1974, and Fs sold well despite gas crunch I and inflation. A strike at General Motors in 1972 limited the production of the Trans Am to less than 1,300 units that year, and Pontiac almost canceled the nameplate. Thats all well and good, and it worked smooth as silk for a good while. Except for Gleason, the original actors mostly redubbed their lines for the television version. Cape was far enough north that it was watered down and there was so much cross-pollination with the Illinois side you really didnt discern much difference. If it wasnt for Smokey & the Bandit, the Dukes of Hazzard TV series would not exist. Tragically, every Trans Am used in filming was destroyed. The tow truck driver was a local garage owner, Berlin Wike. The cashier never batted an eye as she sold us the mass quantities of suds. The 403 Olds T/A was a dog, stock, but with some easily obtained parts, could be turned into a very nice low 13 second tire melter. Watching TV and Movies you would think that sales dropped to nil. I have at least 4 really good car buddies that will from time to time love popping this movie in to watch. In fact, after Smokey and the Bandit became a box office hit, Pontiac saw a marked increase in their stock prices. Regular film-goers might not pay much attention to the car's engine sound, but gearheads will quickly notice that something is off. The little packy there had Coors and even though it was horribly expensive, we thought it was the elixer of the Gods. You will receive a verification email shortly. How much did the Smokey and the Bandit car sell for? The DVD set meets NTSC standards. I fondly remember lots and lots of terrible B grade movies @ the drive in in the early to mid 1970s all featuring cars racing , smashing and so on . These new models were built off the same Camaro platform, came with the Pontiac arrowhead, flaming bird, and Bandit logos, and the instrument panels, center consoles, and hood scoops emulating their 1977 counterparts, and were signed by Reynolds. One time a friend and I drove back to Kentucky on leave rather than flying; no particular reason, we had plenty of time and wanted to see some of the country. Ironically I never really cared all that much for Coors, I dont think it has much flavor, but it was well received when we got to Kentucky. These were the cans with the two circular push buttons on top instead of pull tabs. 20 Surprising Facts About The Trans Am From Smokey And The Bandit - HotCars He paid $550,000 for it, likely a record for any Pontiac Firebird. As I am finishing this article while Big Truck Week is winding down, here is a Kenworth with a 1973 Dodge Polara patrol car. Not all the police cars had hood scoops. how many cars were destroyed in smokey and the bandit 2 - onlytows.com.au Your email address will not be published. I still think its more entertaining than Star Wars. According to director Hal Needham in the DVD documentary, Pontiac gave them three Trans-Ams and two LeMans (Sheriff Justice's patrol car) for the film. [32], After the debut of the film, the Pontiac Trans Am became wildly popular, with sales almost doubling within two years of the film's release. I know that Trans Am that . Smokey and the Bandit II - Wikipedia While made to take advantage of the ongoing 1970s CB radio fad, the film added to the craze. For Smokey and the Bandit II (1980), Needham asked for and received 10 Trans Ams and 55 Bonnevilles with no trouble. The Burdettes' car is a 1974 Cadillac Eldorado convertible painted in a "Candy Red" color scheme and is seen briefly at the beginning of the movie and in the final scene as the Bandit, the Snowman, Fred the dog, and Frog use it to make their escape. It had amazing throttle response, with a hit that either scared people, or made them giggle. A 1975 Pontiac Grand Prix with a Buick Electra behind it. Anyone with insight is encouraged to share their knowledge on this. Needham saw an advertisement for the soon-to-be-released 1977 Pontiac Trans Am and knew right away that would be the Bandit's car, or, as Needham referred to it, a character in the movie. Bill Justis is the first name on the credits for the soundtrack, as he composed and arranged original music throughout the film. A couple of years ago, I was sitting around on a lazy Saturday afternoon and it was on TV. As Fred Flintstone was modeled off Ralph Kramden, the Jackie Gleason character from the 1950s television showThe Honeymooners, the tone and intonation of the dubbing was highly convincing. How did any bra manufacturers survive the 70s? Television censorship and alternative versions, second highest-grossing domestic film of 1977, AFI's 100 Years100 Heroes and Villains, Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Smokey and the Bandit at 35: A Case for the Genius of Hal Needham", "Greyhound Lakewood Park (Atlanta, Georgia, USA)", "Burt Reynolds' old Pontiac Trans Am replica sold for $317,500", "An Interview With Jim Wangers: Pontiac and the 1970's", "How the Bandit, Coors and a bunch of Makers changed the course of booze history", "Various Smokey And The Bandit (Music From The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)", "Smokey and the Bandit, Box Office Information", "Burt Reynolds at the 2015 Macon Film Festival", "Seven Quirky Lowbrow Favorite Films of Highbrow Directors", "Remembering Hal Needham and the Birth of Redneck Cinema", "Smokey and the Bandit Film from RadioTimes", "Burt Reynolds' Bandit Trans Am sells for $450,000", "See a "New" Vintage Bandit Trans Am Approved by Burt Reynolds Himself", "Diablo Sandwich Recipe from CMT's Reel Eats", "Diablo Sandwich / "Diablo & Doc" From Smokey & the Bandit, Identified! Smokey and the Bandit was one of the most iconic movies of the 1970s. 46,000 in 1976, 68,000 in 1977, 93,000 in 1978, 117,000 in 1979. Needing a fast set of wheels to distract law enforcement, Reynolds character purchases this 1977 Pontiac Trans-Am. The original film had correct sounds that were usually recorded live as the action took place. [18] A 1974 Time magazine article explains that Coors was so coveted for its lack of stabilizers and preservatives, and Coors Banquet Beer had a brief renaissance. I looked at a Bluesmobile worthy 1977 Plymouth Grand Fury, the big ones, it was an ex Florida Highway Patrol car, but it had a pretty good amount of rust and it was pretty beat. Two of the most high-octane films of 2015, Mad Max: Fury Road and Furious 7, each burned through hundreds (Furious 7 alone destroyed a reported 230 cars), but theyre far from the first to do so. How many cars destroyed Blues Brothers 2000? The Pontiac Firebird Trans Am from Smokey and the Bandit is one of the most famous movie cars of all time. Gleason probably wanted too much money to provide the dubbing, which is a shame because it ruins the TV version. As a publicity stunt, the Trans Ams used in the movie had different decals on the hood scoop. So lets explore this car (and truck) heavy flick, all while giving those who have not seen it a glimpse into a movie whose complexity and intellect remains unparalleled within the history of cinema. This same restaurant was used for a scene in the 1983 Stephen King Movie Christine, which was ultimately cut in the final film (it can be viewed as a deleted scene on the DVD release of the film). With the Smokey and the Bandit actor gone, and the impact the actor had on the Trans Am community, having one of the few connections to him destroyed is too much. One of those things that will make my kids think Im crazy some day. Both sequels used another Trans Am, not a Cadillac Eldorado, as seen below. During a Q&A session on Saturday, filmed by ComicBook.com, a fan asked how many Trans Ams they burned through during production. I recall a big smokey burnout right after they left Snowmans house that looked 455-worthy and also after Bandit picked up Fields he left two strips after nailing second (right before the tire thieves crossed the road), which makes me think there was also a 4 speed car used. As Frog leaves, we are introduced to Sheriff Buford T. Justice, played by Jackie Gleason. Smokey & The Bandit Police Cars. It was his idea to have Junior alongside him throughout the film. Sheriff Justices son, Junior. Somehow this store had a regular supply. Smokey and the Bandit was the second highest-grossing domestic film of 1977 in the United States. However, in more recent years, the original version has been shown (on ITV, a commercial channel), usually with the stronger language edited out, often quite awkwardly. I have to admit, thats a pretty fantastic story, and as a major movie star, Im sure Burt Reynolds was able to figure out another way to acquire a means of transportation. That girl from the McCoys video probably looks like Paula Deen now. [original research?] With this, the Sheriff begins his pursuit of the Mann Act-violating Banditall the way to Georgia. [11] The movie was primarily filmed in Georgia, in the cities of McDonough, Jonesboro, and Lithonia. In 1991, it was arranged for orchestra by Crafton Beck and recorded by Erich Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra for their album Down on the Farm. No, the T/A was selling fine before the movie, and the black/gold package dates to 1976, a full year before the movie was out in summer 77. [12] The area around Helen, Georgia, was used for some locations. Producers of Smokey and the Bandit wrecked 26 cars while filming the movie in 1977. While I have read undocumented accounts of there being more than three Trans Ams, Needham stated three is all that were used.
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