The Last American Hero (1973)

A young hellraiser quits his moonshine business to try to become the best NASCAR racer the south has ever seen.

Director:

Lamont Johnson

Writers:

Tom Wolfe (articles), William Roberts

Stars:

Jeff Bridges, Valerie Perrine, Geraldine Fitzgerald

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview:
Jeff Bridges	...	Elroy Jackson Jr.
Valerie Perrine	...	Marge
Geraldine Fitzgerald	...	Mrs. Jackson
Ned Beatty	...	Hackel
Gary Busey	...	Wayne Jackson
Art Lund	...	Elroy Jackson Sr.
Ed Lauter	...	Burton Colt
William Smith	...	Kyle Kingman (as William Smith II)
Gregory Walcott	...	Cleve Morley
Tom Ligon	...	Lamar
Ernie F. Orsatti	...	Davie Baer (as Ernie Orsatti)
Erica Hagen	...	Trina Kingman
Jimmy Murphy	...	Spud (as James Murphy)
Lane Smith	...	Rick Penny

Storyline

A young hellraiser quits his moonshine business to try to become the best NASCAR racer the south has ever seen.

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Plot Keywords:

hixploitation | car racing | man wrapped in a towel | nascar | moonshine | 

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Taglines:

It took him 20 years to find out who he was and 2 laps to let the world know.

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Genres:

Drama | Sport

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

'The Last American Hero' is the second time Jeff Bridges has acted in a role with the surname Jackson, in this instance as Elroy Jackson Jr. In 'The Last Picture Show' Jeff Bridges was Duane Jackson, the first time he has played a character with the surname Jackson.

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Goofs

When the movie starts, Junior is driving a Mustang with a police band radio but there is no antenna on the car that would work on police band frequencies.

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Quotes

Burton Colt: Junior, you got the talent and I got the bankroll. Now how many loads of white lighting you think it's gonna take to get you back running?
Elroy Jackson Jr.: How much it gonna take you? I just gotta replace my car. You gotta find a new shoe who ain't got chickenshit in his veins.
Burton Colt: Woo, you a hard case, kid.
Elroy Jackson Jr.: Colt, I'm gonna whip your ass, along with everybody else. My car don't hold out, I'm gonna footrace with you!
Burton Colt: What about arm wrestling?
Elroy Jackson Jr.: Whatever it by-god takes.

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Connections

Referenced in The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Episode #19.202 (2011)

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Soundtracks

I Got A Name
Sung by Jim Croce
Lyrics by Norman Gimbel
Music by Charles Fox

User Reviews

The Cradle of a Nascar driver

This movie is what any NASCAR fan should see.

From the simple fact that not every driver comes with a clean background. You have to do what it takes to live. With that in mind and not giving the story away Jeff Bridges character Junior Jackson does what it takes to make the money. And that of course but racing. From the lower circuits to the higher ones This is kind of a fast pace movie, but its kind of dry. For the viewer that can sit threw the slow times and watch a movie for how a movie should be (for the story) you will enjoy it.

A good underrated movie, and I recommend you see it.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 July 1973 (USA)

Also Known As:

Hard Driver

Filming Locations:

Concord, North Carolina, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Rojo Productions, Twentieth Century Fox

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min 91 min (FMC Library Print)

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1