The Cannonball Run

 

So this viewing was inspired by a bot which constantly posts photos of the jacket worn by Burt Reynolds to social media.  I had never seen this film until now. Phoenix Nights even riffs on it 

Murdoch mentions it in the A-Team

The plot of the film is simple is the Wacky Races live action version

The Cannonball run is a race across America. The Federal Speed Limit Laws, referenced in Smokey and the Bandit applying. Means you must devise a means of making the trip faster than the prescribed 55 miles an hour. Burt or JJ here decides to use an Ambulance and have a doctor and a patient as ringers

The Doctor is funny. The Doctor is played as  supposed a howling horror. This also means he steps on Dom Deluise's feet a bit 

Farah is shanghaied for this purpose. There is some odd dialogue actually when you remember Adriane can't show her nipples 

People must have found Dom Deluise much funnier in the past- or in person. I remember seeing him in Stargate SG-1 and he irritated the hell out of me. He is a bit more tolerable here. I  cannot help but to wonder how much better Robin Williams would have been. 

Rodger Moore steals the show as Rodger Moore. Moore is  smugger more self centered version of himself A testament to how popular Bond was- that Rodger gets a lot of time in this film 

Moore as Bond never got to be the comic actor he should have been. It is a bit of pity his talents are overlooked somewhat 

Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr are great. It is interesting they are waylaid in a Southern Town where the Mayor has an Irish surname. Dean does a great joke about can you drink the sedative that the doctor uses in a brawl 

Farah Fawcett is beautiful. Simply Angelic

Burt is playing the Bandit. He flirts with the Camera and Farah 

There is a lot of drinking and driving ,and drinking while flying. It was the beginning of the 80s

There is no nudity but a plot point is Adrian Barbeau flashing her cleavage while speeding. My guest a remake would avoid that

I liked it. I won't rewatch it I may buy the T-Shirt though