Used Cars (1980)

When the owner of a struggling used car lot is killed, it's up to the lot's hot-shot salesman to save the property from falling into the hands of the owner's ruthless brother and used-car rival.

Director:

Robert Zemeckis

Writers:

Robert Zemeckis, Bob Gale

Stars:

Kurt Russell, Jack Warden, Gerrit Graham

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kurt Russell	...	Rudolph 'Rudy' Russo
Jack Warden	...	Roy L. Fuchs / Luke Fuchs
Gerrit Graham	...	Jeff
Frank McRae	...	Jim, the Mechanic
Deborah Harmon	...	Barbara Jane Fuchs
Joe Flaherty	...	Sam Slaton (as Joseph P. Flaherty)
David L. Lander	...	Freddie Paris
Michael McKean	...	Eddie Winslow
Michael Talbott	...	Mickey
Harry Northup	...	Carmine
Alfonso Arau	...	Manuel
Al Lewis	...	Judge H. H. Harrison
Woodrow Parfrey	...	Mr. Chartner
Andrew Duncan	...	Charlie
Dub Taylor	...	Tucker

Storyline

Used car salesman Rudy Russo needs money to run for State Senate, so he approaches his boss Luke. Luke agrees to front him the $10,000 he needs, but then encounters an "accident" orchestrated by his brother Roy, who runs the car lot across the street. Roy is hoping to claim title to his brother's property because Roy's paying off the mayor to put the new interstate through the area. After Luke disappears, it's all out war between the competing car shops, and no nasty trick is off limits as Rudy and his gang fight to keep Roy from taking Luke's property. Then Luke's daughter shows up.

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Plot Keywords:

car | salesman | used car salesman | used car lot | fight | 

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Taglines:

Trust us.

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 July 1980 (USA)

Also Known As:

Autohuijarit

Filming Locations:

Berge Ford - 310 E Main Street, Mesa, Arizona, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$8,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation, A-Team

Technical Specs

Runtime:

113 min 103 min (Ontario)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

When Rudy (Kurt Russell) comes home from his promotional car spot with the hookers, he makes a nod to the statue of rock-and-roll legend Elvis Presley that's sitting on his dresser. Russell began his film career with a cameo in Presley's It Happened at the World's Fair, and later portrayed Elvis in Elvis. He also played an Elvis impersonator two decades later in 3000 Miles to Graceland.

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Goofs

When the judge measures the 1974 Mercury Montego, he says "You're two inches short." Jack Warden laughs and strikes the trunk lid, and the license plate drops, showing the gas cap. The gas cap on a 1974 Montego is really above the rear bumper, between the tail lights, behind a door.

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Quotes

[Rudy notices that some paint has washed off Manuel's cars]
Rudy: Manuei! What the hell are you using; water based paint?
Manuel: Sure. How much rain do we get around here anyway? If you don't like these, I'll get you some others. Here is my inventory.
Rudy: Manuel, this is a picture of 250 cars. I can't make a deal on a picture. Take these around back and I'll think of something.

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Connections

Featured in Biography: Al Lewis: Forever Grandpa (2000)

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Soundtracks

"The Stripper"
(uncredited)
Music by David Rose

User Reviews

Even the Dog is Funny

This is one funny movie. Kurt Russell shows his comedic side and is hysterical - so are Gerrit Graham and Jack Warden. Robert Zemeckis made a gem very few people saw and this is my favorite movie of his. See it if you want to laugh like hell.