Smokey and the Bandit, the directorial debut of stuntman Hal Needham, stars Burt Ryenolds and Sally Field in a fun to watch action comedy, whose success led to two sequels and many more imitations.
Released on May 20, 1977, Smokey and the Bandit was the year’s second highest-grossing picture.
They arrive in Texarkana an hour ahead of schedule, load the truck and head back toward Atlanta.
Upon starting the run’s second leg, Bandit is stopped by runaway bride Carrie who hitches a ride with him, making Bandit a target of Sheriff Buford T. Justice, a Texas lawman whose son Junior was Carrie’s bridegroom.
Ignoring his own jurisdiction, Sheriff Justice, with dimwitted Junior in tow, pursues Bandit all the way to Georgia to get Carrie back, even as various mishaps cause his cruiser to disintegrate around them.
Running time: 97 Minutes
Released by Universal