Used Cars (1980)

When the owner of a struggling used car lot is killed, it's up to the lot's hot-shot salesman to save the property from falling into the hands of the owner's ruthless brother and used-car rival.

Director:

Robert Zemeckis

Writers:

Robert Zemeckis, Bob Gale

Stars:

Kurt Russell, Jack Warden, Gerrit Graham

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kurt Russell	...	Rudy Russo
Jack Warden	...	Roy L. Fuchs / Luke Fuchs
Gerrit Graham	...	Jeff
Frank McRae	...	Jim the Mechanic
Deborah Harmon	...	Barbara Fuchs
Joe Flaherty	...	Sam Slaton (as Joseph P. Flaherty)
David L. Lander	...	Freddie Paris
Michael McKean	...	Eddie Winslow
Michael Talbott	...	Mickey
Harry Northup	...	Carmine
Alfonso Arau	...	Manuel
Al Lewis	...	Judge Harrison
Woodrow Parfrey	...	Mr. Ghertner
Andrew Duncan	...	Charlie
Dub Taylor	...	Tucker

Storyline

Used car salesman Rudy Russo (Kurt Russell) needs money to run for State Senate, so he approaches his boss Luke (Jack Warden). Luke agrees to front him the $10,000 he needs, but then encounters an "accident" orchestrated by his brother Roy also played by Warden, who runs the car lot across the street. Roy is hoping to claim title to his brother's property because Roy's paying off the mayor to put the new interstate through the area. After Luke disappears, it's all out war between the competing car shops, and no nasty trick is off limits as Rudy and his gang fight to keep Roy from taking Luke's property. Then Luke's daughter shows up.

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Plot Keywords:

used car salesman | exploding car | fraud | car dealership | used car lot | 

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Taglines:

Estimated Laugh Count: 287 City, 410 Highway. Use these numbers only for comparison. Your actual laughs may vary depending on how you feel about used car salesmen, nude women, spectacular car stunts, and the President of the United States.

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

R

Details

Official Sites:

Sony Movie Channel [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 July 1980 (USA)

Also Known As:

Mit einem Bein im Kittchen

Filming Locations:

Downtown Phoenix, Arizona, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$8,000,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$11,715,321, 31 December 1980

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation,A-Team

Technical Specs

Runtime:

113 min 103 min (Ontario)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Roy L.'s line about "politicians staying bought" was first attributed to steel baron Henry Frick about President Theodore Roosevelt after massive donations to the Republican party by big business helped Roosevelt's reelection and Roosevelt subsequently began proposing legislation to increase regulation of steel mills and railroads.

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Goofs

As the Montego hits the ground after jumping the train, it sustains major front-end damage. When it arrives at the car lot, there is only minor damage (to be increased again when Jeff slams into another car).

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Quotes

Big Jim: I don't know Rudy. I ain't never sold no damn cars before.
Rudy: It's easy Jim. All you have to do is get them in that car. Nothing sells a car better than a car itself. Now remember this you have to get their confidence, get their friendship, get their trust. Then get their money.

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Crazy Credits

The film's closing credits state: "The producers wish to thank the governor, people and motion picture office of the State of Arizona for their cooperation in the production of this motion picture."

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Alternate Versions

CBS edited 7 minutes from this film for its 1985 network television premiere.

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Connections

Featured in Back in Time (2015)

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Soundtracks

I'M GLAD HE FOUND ME
(uncredited)
Written by Dorothy Love Coates

User Reviews

Even the Dog is Funny

This is one funny movie. Kurt Russell shows his comedic side and is hysterical - so are Gerrit Graham and Jack Warden. Robert Zemeckis made a gem very few people saw and this is my favorite movie of his. See it if you want to laugh like hell.