Grand Theft Auto (1977)

A rich girl steals her dad's Rolls Royce and heads off to Las Vegas to get married. However, her angry parents, a jealous suitor, and a bunch of reward seekers are determined to stop her.

Director:

Ron Howard

Writers:

Rance Howard, Ron Howard

Stars:

Ron Howard, Nancy Morgan, Elizabeth Rogers

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ron Howard	...	Sam Freeman
Nancy Morgan	...	Paula Powers
Elizabeth Rogers	...	Priscilla Powers
Barry Cahill	...	Bigby Powers
Rance Howard	...	Ned Slinker
Paul Linke	...	Collins Hedgeworth
Marion Ross	...	Vivian Hedgeworth
Don Steele	...	Curly Q. Brown
Peter Isacksen	...	Sparky
Clint Howard	...	Ace
James Ritz	...	Officer Tad (as Jim Ritz)
Hoke Howell	...	Preacher
Lew Brown	...	Jack Klepper
Ken Lerner	...	Eagle I
Jack Perkins	...	Shadley

Storyline

Paula Powers, daughter of wealthy gubernatorial candidate Bigby Powers, decides to reject her parents' attempt at matchmaking and run off to Vegas to marry her sweetheart, Sam Freeman. As they drive away in a stolen Rolls-Royce, spurned suitor Collins Hedgeworth follows behind in hot pursuit, along with a cadre of goons hoping to get the $25,000 reward that's been offered for Paula's return. Can the young lovers make it to Vegas for a quickie wedding before the forces of conformity and privilege arrive to put a stop to their romance?

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Plot Keywords:

car accident | car wreck | disapproving parents | boyfriend girlfriend relationship | engagement | 

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Taglines:

See the greatest cars in the world destroyed!

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Genres:

Action | Comedy | Crime | Romance

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

Cal Naylor, who was the film's assistant director, has a cameo as a used car salesman.

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Goofs

When Collins Hedgeworth steals the Dodge Charger (with white seats) he mistakenly backs into the showroom. The inside shot of the shift console shows a blue vinyl console, obviously very old and dirty, with black seats. There is, additionally, some graffiti "smudged" onto the console. This is clearly a shot of a different vehicle than the nice, "like new" Charger represented.

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Quotes

[last lines]
Paula Powers: So, where do you think we'll be on our 50th anniversary?
Sam Freeman: Right here. I'm not getting out of the car.
Paula Powers: Whoa-ho-ho-ho!
[kisses him]

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Connections

Referenced in Monstervision: Ice Cream Man (1999)

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Soundtracks

Whatcha Gonna Do?
Written by David Jenkins (uncredited) and Cory Lerios (uncredited)
furnished courtesy of A&M Records
Performed by Pablo Cruise

User Reviews

Ron Howard is making headlines here!

Ever since his breakthrough with "American Graffiti", and TV'S "Happy Days", this movie should be making the headlines all the way! Transitioning from actor to director and writer, Ron Howard is at the top of his game. In "Grand Theft Auto", Ron plays Sam, a smart, simple man who runs off with a rich man's daughter named Paula ( Nancy Morgan) , whom her father and mother disapproves completely. They set her up with a wealthy man, whom she doesn't like. In order to put them in their places, she runs off in her father's Rolls Royce. And the chase is on! The two couple go on into a high speed chase all the way to Las Vegas to elope.Unfortunately, the father wants to put a stop to it. After avoided all the roadblocks set by her father, the duo never stopped. Even the fiancé wants her back. But, stealing every car cost everyone their chances to stop the couple from heading to Las Vegas. The fiancé mother (Marion Ross) was in so much trouble with the law from stealing a car, to assault to a policeman, I don't think she''ll ever see the light again. With all the wrecks and totals, the insurance rates have skyrocketed. With so many stars including Happy Days producer Garry Marshall, Marion and Ron weren't very Cunningham like in this movie: the language, obscene gestures, and Marion hitting the officer in the groin. The grand theft auto turned into a media circus for the two, but they ended up instant celebrities at the end. Who says you won't have a happy ending? Make your dream come true. This movie was excellent. I enjoyed it very much. 4 out of 5 stars.

Details

Official Sites:

Roger Corman: The Official DVD Website

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 June 1977 (USA)

Also Known As:

Grand Theft Auto

Filming Locations:

Beverly Hills, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$602,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

New World Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

84 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Ryder Sound Services)

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1