Dirty Mary Crazy Larry (1974)

User Rating:

6.4/10   

Director:

John Hough

Writers:

Leigh Chapman (writer)
Antonio Santean (writer)

Release Date:

17 May 1974 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Drama | Romance | Thriller

Tagline:

They don't call them that for nothing.

Plot:

Mary and Larry are two lovers who, with Larry's ace mechanic, rob a grocery store and flee the police...

Plot Keywords:

Mechanic | Train | Driver | Carsploitation | Chase

Cast

Peter Fonda	...	Larry
Susan George	...	Mary Coombs
Adam Roarke	...	Deke Sommers
Kenneth Tobey	...	Carl Donahue
Eugene Daniels	...	Hanks
Lynn Borden	...	Evelyn Stanton
Janear Hines	...	Millie
Elizabeth James	...	Dispatcher
Adrianne Herman	...	Cindy Stanton
T.J. Castronova	...	Steve (as Tom Castranova)
James W. Gavin	...	Helicopter Pilot (as James Gavin)
Al Rossi	...	Surl
Ben Niems	...	Police Chief Markey
George Westcott	...	Bridge Operator
Tom O'Neill	...	Farmer

Runtime:

93 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:M | Finland:K-16 | Iceland:12 | Norway:16 | Sweden:15 | UK:X (original rating) | USA:PG | UK:15 (video rating) (1987)

Filming Locations:

Archerdale Rd. & Ketcham Ln., Linden, California, USA

Company:

Academy Pictures Corporation

Trivia:

Three Chargers were used in the film; Two 1969 Dodge Chargers (one "R/T" and one coupe), and one 1968 Dodge Charger (coupe). Two of the Chargers were intentionally damaged in the front (after a scene where the Charger collided with the truck), and there is a notable difference in the damage from car to car

Goofs:

Continuity: As they are driving the Dodge Charger, the windshield changes from cracked to intact between shots.

Quotes:

Larry Rayder: You know what a man would do right now if he were smart?
Deke Sommers: What?
Larry Rayder: I don't know, I thought you'd know.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Death Proof (2007)

Soundtrack:

TIME (Is Such A Funny Thing)

Fun and atmosphere

Okay, Dirty Mary Crazy Larry is basically a car chase movie. However, this movie is nicely paced and well crafted for the this genre. Peter Fonda is the focal point as Larry, and he alternates between manic and gloomy, punctuating the action with humorous comments and a devil may care attitude. Adam Roarke as his mechanic/sidekick is the anti-Larry, a guy who is dealing with his own demons and is ready to step in when Fonda's character goes too far. Susan George is the wildcard in this movie. She latches on to Fonda and proves that she is not to be underestimated. The scene-stealer of the movie is Vic Morrow as the sheriff, who produces some of the best lines in this movie. When he gets in the chopper, the pilot says, "I just take orders" and Vic replies "Good, cause I give lots of 'em...let's go!". If this sounds like nothing special, check out this movie and you will see the other element which stands out, the atmosphere. Drawbridges, apple orchards, a small town flea market, dusty roads, big trucks etc. This is no "Dukes of Hazzard" mindless kind of car chase movie. There is a lot of intelligence and humor in the script, and it is well-paced and directed. An enjoyable movie to kill a couple of hours. I never said it was Citizen Kane!