Bound for Glory (1976)

The early life of Woody Guthrie as a vagabond folk singer.

Director:

Hal Ashby

Writers:

Robert Getchell (screenplay), Woody Guthrie (autobiography)

Stars:

David Carradine, Ronny Cox, Melinda Dillon

Won 2 Oscars. Another 4 wins & 11 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
David Carradine	...	Woody Guthrie
Ronny Cox	...	Ozark Bule
Melinda Dillon	...	Mary - Woody's Wife / Memphis Sue
Gail Strickland	...	Pauline
John Lehne	...	Locke - Radio Station Manager
Ji-Tu Cumbuka	...	Slim Snedeger - Hobo on Train
Randy Quaid	...	Luther Johnson - Migrant Worker
Elizabeth Macey	...	Liz - Johnson's Wife
Susan Vaill	...	Gwen Guthrie
Sarah Vaill	...	Gwen Guthrie
Alexandra Mock	...	Sue Guthrie
Kimberly Mock	...	Sue Guthrie
Miriam Byrd-Nethery	...	Sick Woman - Water-Swallowing Scene (as Miriam Byrd Nethery)
Jane Lambert	...	Other Woman - Water-Swallowing Scene
Jan Burrell	...	Other Woman - Water-Swallowing Scene

Storyline

This film is an excellent biography of Woody Guthrie, one of America's greatest folk singers. He left his dust-devastated Texas home in the 1930s to find work, and discovered the suffering and strength of America's working class.

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Plot Keywords:

pampa texas | texas panhandle | damsel in distress | route 66 | new mexico | 

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Taglines:

Woody Guthrie. his music has become as much a part of America as its mountains, its rivers, its forests and its people. His life has touched all our lives. This is his story.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Music

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

Dustin Hoffman was offered the role of Woody Guthrie. He was interested, but he wanted three months to rest and three months to learn to play the guitar. The producers were unwilling to comply.

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Goofs

In one shot of a railroad yard, a 1960's-1970's era diesel locomotive can clearly be seen.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Hank - Man in Gas Station: ['California Water Tastes Like Cherry Wine' plays in the background'] What's the matter?
Carl - Man in Gas Station: Hey, Wood.
Woody Guthrie: Yeah.
Old Man Jenkins - Gas Station Owner: Cherry wine.
Old Man Jenkins - Gas Station Owner: [Jenkins turns off the record player] Goddamit, Woody. I got half a notion to pull up stakes and hit the road for California.
Carl - Man in Gas Station: I been thinking about down the Gulf of Mexico... or the Rio Grande valley. Just somewheres I can grow some fruit, peaches. Them Indian blood peaches with that red meat.
Old Man Jenkins - Gas Station Owner: Shit fire, Carl! Why down there? In California you just plop a seed into the ...
[...]

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Connections

Referenced in The Making of 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind' (2001)

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Soundtracks

Curly Headed Baby
Written by Woody Guthrie
Performed by David Carradine

User Reviews

It Is Glorious. It Made It.

Of all the five best picture nominees of 1976, "Bound for Glory" is the most difficult for most to remember. I mean it was the quiet film in a year which consisted of "Rocky", "Network", "All the President's Men" and "Taxi Driver". Woody Guthrie (David Carradine of "Kung Fu" fame) is suffering through the Dust Bowl of Pampa, Texas in 1936. There are no jobs, no crops and really no hope. Guthrie decides that the best way for him to do his part is to become a folk singer for the poorest peoples of Northern Texas and depression-era Oklahoma. What follows is a genuinely wonderful story which is all based upon the life of America's greatest folk singer. "Bound for Glory" is well-written, well-directed by the wonderful Hal Ashby and well-acted by David Carradine in the role of a lifetime. Melinda Dillon, Randy Quaid and Ronny Cox are among the other players, but this is Carradine's show from the word go. A wonderful, but truthfully somewhat forgotten masterpiece from the 1970s. 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 December 1976 (USA)

Also Known As:

Bound for Glory

Filming Locations:

Old Tucson - 201 S. Kinney Road, Tucson, Arizona, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bound for Glory

Technical Specs

Runtime:

147 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1