Review of Dirty Mary Crazy Larry (1974) by Stuart K — 17 Jan 2012

The first American feature of English director John Hough (Twins of Evil (1971) and The Legend of Hell House (1973)), this is a car chase film with suspense and excitement. This is the Grindhouse version of The Sugarland Express (1974), and a great double bill with Vanishing Point (1971) it would make too, it's a product of it's time and proud of it.

It begins with NASCAR racing driver Larry (Peter Fonda) and his mechanic Deke (Adam Roarke) who pull off a heist in a supermarket ran by George Stanton (Roddy McDowall, in an uncredited cameo), and they make off with $150,000 in cash by holding Stanton's wife and daughter hostage.

They make a getaway, but Larry is confronted by Mary (Susan George), with whom he'd had a one night stand with, and she convinces them to take her along for the ride, which they reluctantly do. But soon, they have Capt.

Everett Franklin (Vic Morrow) on their tail by cop car and helicopter, trying to stop Larry, Mary and Deke from making an escape, but with Larry at the wheel, he's very determined, and they switch cars, from a Dodge Charger to a Chevrolet Impala and then onto another Dodge Charger, but the law are closing in fast on our criminal trio, but they won't give in.

It's a very suspenseful film, which ends in a big finale with them and cops zig-zagging through a large walnut grove with trees and roads everywhere. Peter Fonda is an underrated actor, and he has a coolness to rival Steve McQueen (who was considered for this) and Susan George is wild too.

Quentin Tarantino loves this film, if only Death Proof had been more like this...