Honky Tonk Freeway (1981)

A satire of American progression in which a mayor tries to bribe an official to ensure a ramp connects Ticlaw to an up-and-coming intrastate. When his plan fails, the town residents are forced to take matters into their own hands.

Director:

John Schlesinger

Writer:

Edward Clinton

Stars:

David Rasche, Paul Jabara, Howard Hesseman

4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
David Rasche	...	Eddie White
Paul Jabara	...	T.J. Tupus
Howard Hesseman	...	Snapper
Teri Garr	...	Ericka
Jenn Thompson	...	Delia
Peter Billingsley	...	Little Billy
Beau Bridges	...	Duane Hansen
Beverly D'Angelo	...	Carmen Odessa Shelby
Daniel Stern	...	Hitchhiker
Sandra McCabe	...	Prostitute
Celia Weston	...	Grace
Deborah Rush	...	Sister Mary Magdalene
Geraldine Page	...	Sister Mary Clarise
George Dzundza	...	Eugene
Joe Grifasi	...	Osvaldo

Storyline

Ticlaw, a small town in Florida, has only one attraction: a safari park. The government constructs a freeway that passes near Ticlaw, but decides not to put an exit into the town. The people of Ticlaw, led by its Mayor, will do anything in order to convince the governor to alter the project.

---

Plot Keywords:

movie flop | small town | florida | exit | car jump | 

---

Taglines:

Something funny is happening on this freeway. Get off on it.

---

Genres:

Action | Comedy

---

Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

Kay Medford, who was originally intended to play Sister Mary Clarisse, died during production and was replaced by Geraldine Page.

---

Goofs

The animals riding in the back of the GMC truck could have been injured--or even killed--after the truck jumped the big gap in the highway.

---

Quotes

Carmen Odessa Shelby: The International House of Pancakes is the one consistent thing in my life.

---

Connections

References The Muppet Show (1976)

---

Soundtracks

Love Keeps Bringing Me Down
Written by George Martin

User Reviews

Box office KA-BOOM

Unappreciated in a way MAD MAD WORLD was celebrated, HONKY TONK FREEWAY is an international view of crass funny Americana. A megaton flop in its day, it does deserve reappraisal and basically awe for the extravagant scope and cost of the production. Also like NASHVILLE or THE BIG BUS or even RAT RACE it is an ensemble comedy cruelly harpooned by dumb critics of the day who only reviewed the excess and the cost. This must have been an unappreciated accounting legend, like CLEOPATRA, or 1941 (which I love), HEAVENS GATE, LUCKY LADY or later THE BLUES BROTHERS as demented American films that are clever and made with vision, especially when one considers the cost and failure of Mall releases of today. A DVD reissue with the sort of 3rd disc that Cleopatra has will be very welcome.

Details

Country:

USA UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 August 1981 (USA)

Also Known As:

Honky Tonk Freeway

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$24,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$939,423, 23 August 1981

Gross USA:

$2,004,742

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$2,004,742

Company Credits

Production Co:

EMI Films, Honky Tonk Freeway Company, Kendon Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1