Eat My Dust

1976's Movie Poster.

Today' we're taking a break from the Andy Sidaris girls & guns reviews to go back to the crazy 70's films. You see, besides loving the usual exploitation T & A factor, we also dig fast cars, and today's flick is nothing but that: fast cars & dangerous car chases.

produced under the wise eye of master Roger Corman, this film is an action packed trip. The storyline is quite simple, but allows us to understand the goals and motivations of the lead role.  So, take this guy, Hoover Niebold (Ron Howard) who steals an orange Camaro race car to impress the girl of his dreams, Darlene (Christopher Norris). It seems that Darlene has a thing for fast cars and the guys who drive them. Hoover sets off with Darlene, but the law is in hot pursuit. And in Hoover's case, the law comes in the form of his father, Sheriff Niebold (played by Warren Kemmerling). Can Hoover evade his father and all of his friends, find enough gas, and not wreck his car all in the name of love? 

Fast opening titles sequence.

I'm the law!

Check my sexy eye.

I want you to ride me in that car!

This is not kids stuff you know.

Follow that car!

Partners in crime.

70's fresh air.

oops!

Eat My Dust combines just the right amount of over-the-top car chase scenes, surprisingly effective comedy elements (Dave Madden, aka Reuben Kincaid, is hysterical as Big Bubba Jones), an enjoyable mandolin-infused soundtrack, an appealing cast, snappy direction and cinematography, and some of the best looking hot pants and go-go boots I believe I've seen into one enjoyable package. I realize that Eat My Dust probably couldn't stand the light of a real critical appraisal, but I'm not a real critic. I watch movies for enjoyment and I enjoyed Eat My Dust. 

We ran out of gas!

Boy we love racing.

Hi blondie.

Here we go!

Busted!

The Main Character.

One thing that really surprised me was how much I got out of the plot. The relationship between Hoover and Darlene was actually very well done. I admit it, there were moments that tugged at my heart. Sounds silly for a Roger Corman produced car chase movie, doesn't it? But you just really want to see a guy like Hoover get the girl. I don't use words like "sweet" very often to describe a movie, but that's what I thought about Hoover's feelings for Darlene. It made the ending that much more effective.

As usual here's the movie trailer: