Mother, Jugs & Speed (1976)

Competition between privately owned Los Angeles, California ambulance companies is played for humor.

Director:

Peter Yates

Writers:

Stephen Manes (story), Tom Mankiewicz (screenplay)

Stars:

Bill Cosby, Raquel Welch, Harvey Keitel

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Bill Cosby	...	Mother
Raquel Welch	...	Jugs
Harvey Keitel	...	Speed
Allen Garfield	...	Harry Fishbine
Larry Hagman	...	Murdoch
L.Q. Jones	...	Davey
Bruce Davison	...	Leroy
Dick Butkus	...	Rodeo
Milt Kamen	...	Barney
Barra Grant	...	Miss Crocker
Allan Warnick	...	Bliss
Valerie Curtin	...	Naomi Fishbine
Ric Carrott	...	Harvey
Severn Darden	...	Moran
Bill Henderson	...	Charles Taylor

Storyline

Los Angeles, California: A new law says that the first ambulance that arrives at an accident obtains the contract to transport the injured person. The result is ruthless competition between several companies.

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Plot Keywords:

ambulance | drugs | suicide | shot through the mouth | sexual harassment | 

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Taglines:

they don't call them that for nothing!

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

Raquel Welch was very insecure during the beginning of production. She had five women who worked for her: make-up, hair, public relations, and wardrobe. Tom Manchiewicz called them the "Raquettes".

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Goofs

At several places in the film, the actor's lip movements do not match the audio, revealing that the dialogue was toned down. During Tony's job interview, Fishbein is heard saying "all-day heat on" but his lip movements are "hard-on." Later, when discussing Murdoch, Jugs is heard saying "a $100 bill sticking out of his ear" but her lips clearly say "out of his ass."

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Quotes

Mother: [to Harry, after Harry yells at him on the radio to take a call] Yes'm, Massa Harry, you son of a bitch.

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Connections

Referenced in Weirdos (2016)

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Soundtracks

California Girls
(uncredited)
Performed by The Beach Boys
Written by Mike Love and Brian Wilson

User Reviews

Cosby keeps the laughs coming

The ads for this 1976 comedy described the film as "'MASH' on wheels" and that is the perfect description. It follows the exploits of paramedics in Los Angeles and the trouble they get into with the police, rival ambulance services, and each other. The film is very funny at times and deadly serious as traces of black comedy seep thru.

Bill Cosby heads the cast as Mother and gives, I believe, his best performance on the big screen. He's hip and funny. By no means is this film a classic but it is worth watching, especially if you're in a goofy mood. And Raquel Welch ain't bad to look at either.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 May 1976 (USA)

Also Known As:

Mother, Jugs & Speed

Filming Locations:

Mar Vista, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$3,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1