Cannonball Run: Classic or Dud?

Message Bookmarked

Bookmark Removed

This is only slightly less important than the cookie question, so answer thoughtfully now. Is it the most nonsensical film that ever got made, the stupidest vanity project ever, an astute commentary on modern life, or all of the above?

― Ally, Wednesday, 20 June 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

AS CLASSIC AS THEY COME. Everything about it. My kinda feel goo d film

― -- Mike Hanley, Wednesday, 20 June 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Burt Reynolds racing around in an ambulance! Dom Deluise as a superhero! Jackie Chan! Ferraris and Lamborghinis! Bert Convy jumping out of a plane! Sheiks! Deano and Sammy as priests! What the hell's not to love about Cannonball Run? Man, would I have loved to have been on that set.

― Kris, Wednesday, 20 June 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

from the placard thread, since it seems more apt here:

people who appeared in cannonball run: burt reynolds, roger moore, dom deluise, farrah fawcett, dean martin, sammy davis, jr., adrienne barbeau, terry bradshaw, jackie chan, bert convy, jamie farr, peter fonda, bianca jagger, jimmy "the greek" snyder, mel tillis, and joe klecko. the sequel added marilu henner, shirley maclaine, susan anton, catherine bach, ricardo montalban, jim nabors, charles nelson reilly (!), telly savalas, richard (jaws) kiel, don knotts, SINATRA!, sid caesar, alex rocco, tim conway, joe theismann, doug mclure, abe vigoda (!), and tony danza. in other words, if you want to understand the 70s, watch these two films.

clearly, this is the greatest film franchise ever.

― fred solinger, Wednesday, 20 June 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

You aren't going to understand anything, ever, if you watch those films. They aren't meant to be understood.

― Ally, Wednesday, 20 June 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Now I have to rent this tonight, I realized how long it's been since I've seen it! It makes no sense and I don't know if you'll understand anything from it, but who cares? It's just awesome.

Let's not forget the bloopers during the credits, filled with Burt's haunting laughter.

― Nicole, Wednesday, 20 June 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

clearly, this is the greatest film franchise ever

Apparently you never saw "Speed Zone", the one with John Candy. How bad does a movie have to be that it wouldn't even stand up to being called "Cannonball Run III"? Even though that's obviously what it's supposed to be.

― Kris, Wednesday, 20 June 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I was on a student march last year, carrying my Union's banner for them. I almost got whisked away by the wind over Waterloo Bridge, and the fuckers then left me listen to very tedious people in the wet. i believe in the cause (they'll have more money to spend down my bar) but my arms ached and paragliding ain't my thing. And I didn't get to see the Artful Dodger.

Yahboo sucks to anyone who tried to sabotage my thread.

― Pete, Wednesday, 20 June 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I would have a protest in favor of more Cannonball Run marathons on TNT.

― Ally, Wednesday, 20 June 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I would protest for a Dom Deluise day to made a national holiday.

― Nicole, Wednesday, 20 June 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

That's actually a great idea. How do we organize one of these mall marches? Is the Manhattan Mall alright?

― Ally, Wednesday, 20 June 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

One stipulation of this march is that everyone has to dress up like Dom's "CBR" character. There must also be free pizza, or I'm not coming.

― Dan Perry, Wednesday, 20 June 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Yeah, we could totally swing this. Who else is with us???

― Ally, Wednesday, 20 June 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

On the subject, here's something that may elicit a knowing chuckle or two. Unless this is what started the whole Cannonball Run discussion. In which case, I'll take two demerits and retreat back into lurk-land.

Why can't Burt Reynolds keep it together? And, for that matter, Travolta?

― BrianR, Wednesday, 20 June 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Cannonball Run = my favourite kid movie. Lamborghinis, Ferraris = car porn. I passed a Diablo couple nights ago (it was parked, surprise) and immediately thought of Cannonball: gull-wing doors and unzipped jump-suited jugs. Excellent!! Anyone remember The Gumball Rally? That was like the precursor to Cannonball. Had the same complex plot. Anyway, Cannonball Run was the BEST FILM EVER until they made Porkys.

― AP, Friday, 22 June 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

― Greg, Friday, 22 June 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Dear heavens, how did I miss this thread. I couldn't begin to count the number of times I saw this one on HBO in the early eighties.

"Do you take your law and order seriously in this town?"

― Ned Raggett, Saturday, 23 June 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

nine months pass...

The number one best movies on the planet. I wish I could be in the Cannonball Run if anybody wants to try and start it again let me know, so untill then I guess I will just have to wait till I get the Cash.

― Chad, Saturday, 6 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Incidentally I saw that the DVD of this was on sale at my local video shop! When I ever have money again, it will be mine at last!

― Nicole, Tuesday, 9 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

It even has director commentary!

― Nicole, Tuesday, 9 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

I am saddened, no - heartbroken, at the lack of enthusiasm for this news.

― Nicole, Tuesday, 9 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Hal Needham commentary? Dear lord, I must have this too.

― Ned Raggett, Tuesday, 9 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

I just am sad because I can't afford such luxurious necessity items. Which won't stop me from going and buying it, probably sometime soon since I'm wicked sick with a fucked up sinus infection.

I watched Rat Race the other day, which is similar to Cannonball Run but not as good, except there's this great bit where John Cleese goes, "I can do whatever I want, I'm eccentric", that was pretty good.

― Ally, Tuesday, 9 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

five months pass...

Can anyone get me a copy of the soundtrack..? (On vinyl)

Big bucks paid.......

Thanks!

p.s. The GREATEST FILM EVER MADE!!!

.it only hurts when I point...

― Reg Allen, Friday, 4 October 2002 15:55 (twenty-two years ago)

So Nicole, did you get the DVD? Is Hal's commentary worth the hearing?

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 4 October 2002 15:56 (twenty-two years ago)

It was $10, so yes. I must admit, much to my shame, that I did not listen to the commentary.

― Nicole (Nicole), Friday, 4 October 2002 20:49 (twenty-two years ago)

Heavens, who knows what glorious secrets of the production are even now unheard?

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 4 October 2002 21:23 (twenty-two years ago)

three years pass...

Of course, I have since bought the DVD myself. But I still haven't gotten to the commentary yet either.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 31 January 2006 16:59 (nineteen years ago)

Anyone remember The Gumball Rally?

Of course! A vastly superior film in every way to the utter shit that is the Cannonball franchise.

― Elvis Telecom (Chris Barrus), Tuesday, 31 January 2006 17:50 (nineteen years ago)

For those who want to know more.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 31 January 2006 17:53 (nineteen years ago)

More to the point... Michael Sarrazin in full-on existential mode. An unbelievably (and unlikely) high speed drive through Manhattan, the lead actress from Switchblade Sisters ...and Gary Busey!

― Elvis Telecom (Chris Barrus), Tuesday, 31 January 2006 21:54 (nineteen years ago)

three years pass...

Dom is dead. :(

― Saula (Nicole), Tuesday, 5 May 2009 19:45 (sixteen years ago)

Captain Chaos no more.

― Ned Raggett, Tuesday, 5 May 2009 19:52 (sixteen years ago)

two years pass...

We are truly living in end times.

― DaTruf (Nicole), Thursday, 20 October 2011 01:29 (thirteen years ago)

Good god, the GM details are actually worse than the Guy Ritchie ones!

― Ned Raggett, Thursday, 20 October 2011 02:45 (thirteen years ago)

Am currently wondering if this whole thread is a joke...

― jer.fairall, Thursday, 20 October 2011 05:32 (thirteen years ago)

I wish I could be in the Cannonball Run if anybody wants to try and start it again let me know, so untill then I guess I will just have to wait till I get the Cash.
― Chad,

Chad! Don't miss this chance

― Summer Slam! (Ste), Thursday, 20 October 2011 11:31 (thirteen years ago)

GM is one of the many companies which had to be bailed out by the government

US ILXors! See your tax dollars at work in a 2 hour long GM commercial!

― triple black belt in ILX-fu (snoball), Thursday, 20 October 2011 11:38 (thirteen years ago)

If Ritchie puts Pitt and Matt Damon in the Dean Martin/Sammy Davis Jr. roles, I can see watching this.

― Waka Flocka Floccupy Wall Street (Phil D.), Thursday, 20 October 2011 12:55 (thirteen years ago)

But who would replace Dom? Please don't say Jonah Hill.

― DaTruf (Nicole), Thursday, 20 October 2011 13:26 (thirteen years ago)

one year passes...

It even has director commentary!

no word of lie, it is the greatest commentary I have ever listened to.

― Ottworks SKG (stevie), Monday, 9 September 2013 09:46 (eleven years ago)

one month passes...

NOOOOOOOOOOO

Hal Needham RIP

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151823380837949&set=a.10150189045977949.315461.47843287948&type=1

― Ned Raggett, Friday, 25 October 2013 22:51 (eleven years ago)

Non FB link

http://www.deadline.com/2013/10/r-i-p-hal-needham/

― Ned Raggett, Friday, 25 October 2013 22:53 (eleven years ago)

Picked this up on disc a few weeks back, and responded to this command on the cheap dvds thread:

Do yourself a favour and watch Cannonball Run with the directors commentary on. It is hilarious.
Upon listening, I think the movie is better with the commentary on. Needham & Ruddy just having a grand old time telling stories re:Stars & Cars, pointing out all their friends and associates who cameoed, and sharing film making philosophies ("When in doubt, blow something up!").
― A Made Man In The Mellow Mafia (C. Grisso/McCain), Monday, October 7, 2013 1:32 PM (2 weeks ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

RIP

― A Made Man In The Mellow Mafia (C. Grisso/McCain), Saturday, 26 October 2013 01:00 (eleven years ago)

The best bit is when the girls in the sports car unzip their tops to show off their cleavages when the cop pulls them over, and Hal or his producer says "You could make this movie today, without changing a single bit of it, and it would still make millions of dollars."

― Defund Phil Collins (stevie), Saturday, 26 October 2013 08:31 (eleven years ago)

you ppl will revere anything

― eclectic husbandry (Dr Morbius), Saturday, 26 October 2013 12:44 (eleven years ago)

and you're tedious

― Defund Phil Collins (stevie), Saturday, 26 October 2013 18:11 (eleven years ago)

http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/31/us/new-york-los-angeles-cannonball-speed-record/index.html

― A Made Man In The Mellow Mafia (C. Grisso/McCain), Friday, 1 November 2013 19:18 (eleven years ago)

Ned Raggett watched the commentary last night, if Twitter is to be believed!

― Defund Phil Collins (stevie), Saturday, 2 November 2013 09:38 (eleven years ago)

Eh? Nope, not I! I've seen it before of course, and was just referencing that.

― Ned Raggett, Saturday, 2 November 2013 10:47 (eleven years ago)

this one has some interesting details on the run as well
http://jalopnik.com/meet-the-guy-who-drove-across-the-u-s-in-a-record-28-h-1454092837

― andrew m., Saturday, 2 November 2013 17:38 (eleven years ago)

You must be logged in to post. Please either login here, or if you are not registered, you may register here.