Up in Smoke (1978)

Two stoners unknowingly smuggle a van - made entirely of marijuana - from Mexico to L.A., with incompetent Sgt. Stedenko on their trail.

Director:

Lou Adler

Writers:

Tommy Chong, Cheech Marin

Stars:

Cheech Marin, Tommy Chong, Strother Martin

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Cheech Marin	...	Pedro De Pacas
Tommy Chong	...	Anthony 'Man' Stoner
Strother Martin	...	Arnold Stoner
Edie Adams	...	Mrs. Tempest Stoner
Harold Fong	...	Chauffeur
Richard Novo	...	Richard
Jane Moder	...	Jail Bait
Pam Bille	...	Jail Bait
Arthur Roberts	...	Arresting Officer
Marian Beeler	...	Judge Gladys Dykes
Donald Hotton	...	Bailiff
John Ian Jacobs	...	Prosecuting Attorney (as Jon Ian Jacobs)
Christopher Joy	...	Curtis (as Christipher Joy)
Ray Vitte	...	James (Bass Player)
Michael Caldwell	...	Duane (Guitar)

Storyline

Cheech and Chong meet up by chance on the highway somewhere in California. They go in search of some dope and are accidentally deported to Mexico where in their desperation to get home they agree to drive a van back to the States so they can get back in time for a gig they are due to play. Unaware of the properties from which the van is constructed they make their way back having aquired a couple of female hitch-hikers whilst all the time avoiding the cops whom they are not even aware are following them.

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Plot Keywords:

van | marijuana | mexico | smuggling | dope | 

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Taglines:

Don't miss the only film where the heroes get wiped out in the first five minutes!

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Genres:

Comedy | Music

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

15 September 1978 (USA)

Also Known As:

Cheech and Chong's Up in Smoke

Filming Locations:

Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

86 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

During the scene where Cheech & Chong enter Strawberry's House, the song that is looping on the turntable is the live version of "Star Star" by The Rolling Stones.

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Goofs

After Cheech and Chong's band plays, Cheech's guitar sparks and catches fire, then the fire disappears and reappears between shots.

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Quotes

Strawberry: Ahhh, look at that man, the great outdoors, huh!
Pedro: Yeah, the great outdoors...
[gives Strawberry a weird look]

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Crazy Credits

The opening credits are in the style of spray-painted graffiti, super-imposed over Pedro's low-rider.

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Connections

References Saps at Sea (1940)

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Soundtracks

"You're Not Blank"
Performed by The Dils at the Rock Fight

User Reviews

Another one of the funniest films of the 1970's

This 1979 Paramount release introduced the controversial radio comedians Richard "Cheech" Marin and Thomas Chong to the screen for the first of six major film teamings and cameos together in several other films. This first teaming is the best teaming. The duo portray stoners who travel together on a road trip down to Tijuana on a mission to pick up a fresh new drug supply. However, they're being pursued by frantic cops all the way. A cult spoof classic and a film that began a new kind of wacky film comedy.