Return to Macon County (1975)

In 1958, two teenagers take their pride and joy, a hopped-up Chevy, and start a cross-country journey to enter it in the National Championship drag races in California. Along the way they ... See full summary »

Director:

Richard Compton

Writer:

Richard Compton

Stars:

Nick Nolte, Don Johnson, Robin Mattson

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Nick Nolte	...	Bo Hollinger
Don Johnson	...	Harley McKay
Robin Mattson	...	Junell
Robert Viharo	...	Sergeant Wittaker
Eugene Daniels	...	Tom
Matt Greene	...	Pete
Devon Ericson	...	Betty
Ron Prather	...	Steve
Philip Crews	...	Larry
Laura Sayer	...	Libby
Walt Guthrie	...	Big Man in Coffee Shop
Mary Ann Hearn	...	Pat
Sam Kilman	...	Cook
Bill Moses	...	Sheriff Jackson
Pat O'Connor	...	Officer Harris

Storyline

In 1958, two teenagers take their pride and joy, a hopped-up Chevy, and start a cross-country journey to enter it in the National Championship drag races in California. Along the way they hook up with a pretty but dingy waitress who quits her job and hops in their car--and turns out to be more trouble than they thought--drag-race a gang of town punks who lose to to them and then accuse them of cheating, and come up against a local cop who is obsessed with putting these two "juvenile delinquents" in jail.

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Plot Keywords:

waitress | teenager | juvenile delinquent | buddy | 1957 chevrolet | 

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Taglines:

Two guys, a chick and the hottest '57 Chevy on the road!

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 February 1977 (West Germany)

Also Known As:

Jakten på gjengen

Filming Locations:

Barnesville, Georgia, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$800,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

American International Pictures (AIP)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

When Harley spots the white 57 Chevy Convertible in the field, and suggests the windows could be used to replace the yellow hardtops windows, this will not work. the door glass is the same, but the right rear quarter window was shot out on the yellow hardtop, which has a distinct different shape than the convertible, and won't fit. Also of interesting note, when they're escaping the drive in, an early Chevy coupe is cut off by Bo and Harley, which crashes into a parked white 57 Chevy convertible - the same one later seen in the field.

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Goofs

In the scene where Bo (Nick Nolte) and Harley (Don Johnson) are talking outside the abandoned house. Harley is standing furthest from the house and has a stick in his hand and tosses it. Then when the girl calls Bo from the window, he is standing closest to the house and still has the stick in his hand.

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Connections

Referenced in Hollywood's Hottest Car Chases (2010)

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Soundtracks

Talahassie Lassie
by Freddie Cannon
United Artists Music and Records Group

User Reviews

Good Relationship Dynamics

I initially rented this movie, because I confused it with Macon County Line (which I have never seen but heard was good). So I came into this movie without any prior knowledge to plotlines or previous recommendations or criticisms. I was pleasantly surprised. I have just finished watching it about ten minutes ago. Although the audience is supposed to be oooohed and aaaaahed by the car chases, I was mostly impressed with the relational dynamics between the three leads. The movie takes two long-time buddies and throws a crazy girl into the mix.

Characters: Bo (Nick Nolte)-Bo is a bit hot-tempered and obviously not the brains of the group. He is the "driver" of the movie's centerpiece, a flashy yellow Chevy. He is loyal, almost to a fault and determined.

Harley (Don Johnson)-Harley seems to be the brainier of the two. He does tend to look out for Bo a bit. He's the "mechanic" of the car.

Janelle (Robin Mattson)-Janelle was a waitress, who suddenly latches onto the two boys, romantically with Bo. She's quite crazy and will do anything.

Plot: Harley has finally put his greatest touch to the yellow Chevy, Bo's and Harley's pride and joy. They are on their way to California to enter the National race, having fun and flings on the side. Along the way, Janelle jumps onto the bandwagon, despite Harley's misgivings. She begins to form a bond with Bo, while Harley is out testing the car. During the test drive, Harley gets into a drag race and wins. The loser claims that Harley cheated, and so the two get into a fight over the $100. In a major sub-plot, the gang gets into trouble with Sergeant Whittaker, who becomes obsessed with their capture.

As I said earlier, I greatly admired how the relationship worked between Harley, Bo, and Janelle. The plot was almost used solely to create the dynamic. Bo feels he must choose between racing (and hence Harley) and Janelle. Harley quietly resents Janelle and rationalizes her craziness is dangerous. Janelle feels the intruder, yet is still a member of their little bunch.

I will point out that this movie is good, but not great. It's good for a one-time viewing.