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Greased Lightning (1977)

PG | | Action , Biography , Comedy | July 1977 (USA)
Greased Lightning Poster
The true life story of Wendell Scott, the first black stock car racing driver to win an upper tier NASCAR race.

Director:

Michael Schultz

Writers:

Kenneth Vose, Lawrence DuKore | 2 more credits »

Stars:

Richard Pryor, Beau Bridges, Pam Grier | See full cast & crew »
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Richard Pryor ... Wendell Scott
Beau Bridges ... Hutch
Pam Grier ... Mary
Cleavon Little ... Peewee
Vincent Gardenia ... Sheriff Cotton
Richie Havens Richie Havens ... Woodrow
Julian Bond Julian Bond ... Russell
Earl Hindman ... Beau Welles
Minnie Gentry Minnie Gentry ... Wendell's Mother
Lucy Saroyan Lucy Saroyan ... Hutch's Wife
Noble Willingham ... Billy Joe Byrnes
Bruce Atkins Bruce Atkins ... Deputy Turner
Steve Fifield Steve Fifield ... Deputy Drinkwater
Bill Cobbs ... Mr. Jones
Georgia Allen Georgia Allen ... Mrs. Jones
See full cast »
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Storyline

This is the true story of Wendell Scott, America's first African American NASCAR driver, once he returns from WWII to find his hometown the way he left it. With seed money for a taxicab business, he learns all the county roads. With his new knowledge an opportunity presents itself with some steep consequences. After an invitation to the local race track, a race car driver is born. The ethnic boundaries are a part of everyday life in 1950's Amercan life. You become part of his fight for equality, fairness and the American dream.

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

stock car racing | african american | automobile racing | automobile | racial | See All (5) »

Taglines:

He drove 'em wild! See more »

Genres:

Action | Biography | Comedy | Drama | Sport

Certificate:

PG | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

Add content advisory for parents »
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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

July 1977 (USA) See more »

Also Known As:

Blyskawicznie See more »

Filming Locations:

Middle Georgia Speedway, Byron, Georgia, USA See more »

Company Credits

Production Co:

Third World Cinema,Warner Bros. See more »
Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Melvin Van Peebles was originally scheduled to direct the film, but he exited because of "artistic differences", and was replaced by Michael Schultz. See more »

Goofs

In many of the in-car shots during the races you can hear that they are manual transmissions being double clutched, but the drivers never take their hands of the wheel to shift. See more »

Quotes

[searching for car parts in a scrap yard]
Peewee: What'chyou looking for, Wendell?
Wendell Scott: Some of this, some of that, some of everything. A universal joint.
Peewee: Hmph. I wouldn't know a universal joint if it bit me.
Wendell Scott: Well, one's about to bite you.
See more »

Connections

Featured in Sports on the Silver Screen (1997) See more »

Soundtracks

All Come True
Written by Fred Karlin & Norman Gimbel
Performed by Richie Havens
See more »

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User Reviews

 
The greatest story told
25 May 2000 | by pmr105 – See all my reviews

This movie showed the life of one mans adversity in a sport that he loved but not always loved him back. I had the great pleasure of meeting Wendell Scott at a car show in the 80's. He was a very kind hearted man that loved to meet and greet people. I have this movie on tape so that I can show my son when he grows up. It is a great story that every man of any race should see.
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