King of the Mountain (1981)

A group of friends race their high-powered cars up and down a dangerous and deadly mountain road known as Mulholland Drive to see who can claim the title of "King of the Hill."

Director:

Noel Nosseck

Writers:

David Barry (article), Leigh Chapman

Stars:

Harry Hamlin, Joseph Bottoms, Deborah Van Valkenburgh

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Harry Hamlin	...	Steve
Joseph Bottoms	...	Buddy
Deborah Van Valkenburgh	...	Tina
Richard Cox	...	Roger
Dennis Hopper	...	Cal
Dan Haggerty	...	Rick
Seymour Cassel	...	Barry Tanner
Sloan Roberts	...	Billy T (as Jon Sloan)
Steve Jones	...	Policeman
Ashley Cox	...	Elaine
Lillian Müller	...	Jamie Winter
Cassandra Peterson	...	Neighbor
Buddy Joe Hooker	...	Fast Joe Otis
Ron Trice	...	Keyboard Player
Curt Ayers	...	Fatburger

Storyline

A group of friends race their high-powered cars up and down a dangerous and deadly mountain road known as Mulholland Drive to see who can claim the title of "King of the Hill."

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Plot Keywords:

car racing | music industry | beer | carsploitation | road racing | 

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Taglines:

The race. The risk. The danger. It's worth it all to be...King of the Mountain

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

Harry Hamlin's role was intended for Brad Davis, who was fired due to his drug problems.

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Quotes

Steve: [Opening lines, voiceover] 23 miles of Mulholland, slicing Los Angeles like a knife... it's like a trip in time. Sometimes I just can't wait for night. You see too much in the sunshine. Road's changin'... civilization's choking it. At night, the straightaways are shorter... turns sharper... the drop steeper. It's the only place I ever felt safe. Clear, clean... and fast. Freedom. I wonder who it'll be tonight? I hope he's fast.

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Connections

Referenced in Animation Lookback: The Best of Stop Motion - Ray Harryhausen 2/2 (2014)

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Soundtracks

Imaginary Lover
Written by Buddy Buie, Dean Daughtry and Robert Nix
Performed by Atlanta Rhythm Section
Courtesy of Polydor Records

User Reviews

Why isn't this on DVD??

One of the first uncensored movies I saw, thanks to a young HBO. Add in an early 80's Harry Hamlin with a near afro, that dark haired chick from the "Warriors" and "Too Close For Comfort", a crackpot turn by Dennis Hopper, Mullholland Drive drag racing, some cheesy soundtrack music and you have a a beautiful time capsule. Harry is the top drag racer on Mullholland Drive, but Dennis Hopper, who used to be the top gun before taking too many drugs or something like that, is ready for a showdown. I think. I might remember better if this movie was at all available. Really gets at that moment where what we know as the 80's was just beginning, while the 70's was still hanging around in the ether. Tight Sergio Valente jeans, members only jackets, but hair still in that big 70's mode.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 May 1981 (USA)

Also Known As:

King of the Mountain

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$2,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$958,637, 3 May 1981

Gross USA:

$1,791,147

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,791,147

Company Credits

Production Co:

PolyGram Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1