Speedtrap (1977)

After a wave of unsolved car thefts, an insurance company calls in private investigator Pete Nobeck 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

Credited cast:
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
Lucky Hayes	...	Head Police Dispatcher
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Roberta Collins	...	Ms. Hastings, student driver
Larry Dunn	...	Mr Barth - driving instructor
Earl W. Smith	...	Frostie

Storyline

After a wave of unsolved car thefts, an insurance company calls in private investigator Pete Nobeck 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 Nobeck'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, Nobeck 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

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

April 1978 (USA)

Also Known As:

Caçada Alucinante

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

Did You Know?

Goofs

The boom microphone dips into the frame when Novick and Loomis walk through the door to enter Spillano's house. It enters the frame again when Novick knocks Loomis to the floor in Spillano's office study.

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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.