Speedtrap (1977)

After a wave of unsolved car thefts, an insurance company calls in private investigator Pete Novick to solve the case. While the chief of police isn't thrilled about having an outsider come... See full summary »

Director:

Earl Bellamy

Writers:

Fred Mintz (story), Henry C. Parke (story)

Stars:

Joe Don Baker, Tyne Daly, Richard Jaeckel

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Joe Don Baker	...	Pete Novick
Tyne Daly	...	Niffty Nolan
Richard Jaeckel	...	Billy
Robert Loggia	...	Spillano
Morgan Woodward	...	Capt. Hogan
Lana Wood	...	New Blossom
Timothy Carey	...	Loomis
James Griffith	...	Wino
Bimmy Bakewell	...	Rolls-Royce Owner
Lucky Hayes	...	Head Police Dispatcher
Carver Barnes	...	Angry Parking Garage Attendant
Roberta Collins	...	Ms. Hastings, student driver
John Furlong	...	Police Officer #2
Janet Marie Heil	...	Spillano's Girl (as Janet Heil)
Bill Heywood	...	Drunk in Alley

Storyline

After a wave of unsolved car thefts, an insurance company calls in private investigator Pete Novick to solve the case. While the chief of police isn't thrilled about having an outsider come and show up his men, one of the officers is a former girlfriend of Novick's who's more than willing to help him out in any way she can. After a long and convoluted investigation with false leads, psychics and the mafia, Novick at last unravels the identity of the thief.

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Plot Keywords:

hixploitation | thief | psychic | mafia | private investigator | 

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Taglines:

Crazy for speed and driving for revenge!

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

The stunt with the Mercedes-Benz jumping over the police cars at the motorcycle track did not go as planned. The car made a nose dive into the dirt, totaling it. The finished product has it landing on its wheels, though in a somewhat rushed way.

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Goofs

During the Cadillac chase, the Plymouth Satellite police car changes to a Dodge Monaco before crashing into the chicken coop.

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Quotes

Pete Novick: [during a car chase at a motorcycle track] Surprises. Nothing but surprises.

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Alternate Versions

The European release is the original uncut version with Dianne Marchal, who also sings the film's theme song, in the original role of the psychic, as well as her shower scene featuring female nudity.

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Connections

Referenced in Missing Reel: Car Chase Pictures (2014)

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Soundtracks

Speedtrap
Written by Anthony Harris
Sung by Diane Marchal

User Reviews

Not a bad car crash movie, although flawed.

Movies like SPEEDTRAP usually don't get an even brake, er, break anymore. It's a good alternative to GONE IN 60 SECONDS when it comes to automotive action, yet it's not all that exciting this time around. It does have a couple of big explosions and a giant police car pile-up. The scene where Road Runner's car leaps from one tall building to another is so odd to believe. Too much stray footage not relating to the movie makes the story look mumble-jumbled, though. A few scenes were very useless in accompanying the action for which SPEEDTRAP is based upon. What it lacks for a writing flaw, it makes up for some humor. The female student driver who appears twice steals the show, making big mistakes at every turn in a careless, but amusing way. Joe Don Baker, PO'ed at the Road Runner, says the goofiest line I've ever heard: "Beep beep my @$$!". Later on, it becomes a predictable surprise. This one rips off GONE IN 60 SECONDS as with other car crash movies of the 70s, but it's worth a try if like fun-filled, though greatly missed, auto action thrills.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

April 1978 (USA)

Also Known As:

Speedtrap

Filming Locations:

Sonoran Desert, Arizona, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

First Artists, Interamar

Technical Specs

Runtime:

113 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1