C.R.A.S.H.

1976 was a year for fun movies. "Mother, Jugs, and Speed" has got it all: comedy, action, drama, and adventure. This movie deals with the life of being a paramedic. Bill Cosby plays Mother, a veteran ambulance driver with a history of uncouthness: Drinking on the job; carrying a firearm; and being slothful at the final moment. However, he gets the job done. Raquel Welch plays Jennifer aka "Jugs". I don't want to go there with that! Sorry! Harvey Kitel plays Tony aka "Speed" Mother's new partner after his junkie partner was killed by another addict(Toni Basil, way before she hit it big with her 1980's hit "Mickey"). This movie deals with a lot of issues in the business: racial, sexual, economical, etc. Most of it was pretty tame. Despite the "N" word, and the finger expression which "Jugs" gave to her superior. I liked the way the ambulance was made for the movie. This movie wasn't made for kids, if Richard Pryor was the star, this would be an R-rated movie. This is made for mature audiences. It's great though!

3.5 out of 5 stars!

The film is more of a drama/slice of life mixed in with some black comedy. It's a strange mish-mash of different things and the tone doesn't match the bombastic disco song "dance" with which the film opens. I'm glad I finally had a chance to watch it (it was a film advertised during a youtube clip of old kbhk channel footage). Anyhow...worth a watch. I would try to avoid reading the primary review (well-written as it is) up top as it kind of summarizes all the main character plot beats and would make it less interesting to see.

Good gritty and realistic dark comedy about mid 1970's street culture told thru the daily adventures of a private Ambulance company.Great cast although the acting was lackluster.The directing, cinematography,script and story was average although the screenplay was good.The editing here was bad and made the movie look very cheaply done.To see Cosby portray a not so gentlemanly characer was entertaining if one is fammiliar with the actor.Also,Raquel Welch worshpers will truly enjoy her 30 something sex appeal here as well.Expect realistic portrayals with less than usual Holywood toning down formulas.If one is into that kind of 1970's street movie style mixed with some dark comedy,you will love this one.A cult masterpiece for it's genre.......

Director Peter Yates (BULLITT, KRULL, FRIENDS OF EDDIE COYLE etc) helmed this criminally ignored film in 1976. Much like Scorsese's WAKING THE DEAD this one is set around the world of Ambulance driving and It's a Black satire riddled with drama and social commentary.

Bill Cosby plays MOTHER, the veteran driver who has seen it all and is always looking out for his fellow workers. Raquel Welch plays JUGS(For obvious reasons), the secretary for the ambulance company who aspires to be a more. Harvey Keitel plays SPEED, an ex cop on suspension for supposed drug dealing, hence the name.

All the cast deliver fine performances and create memorable charecters. (Larry Hagman as the ultimate prick is perfect)

The script is absolutely inspired melding pitch black laughs with genuine heartfelt emotion to deliver a scathing examination of the job and the world in which they operate. Constantly catching the viewer of guard with it mix of intelligent comedy and impactual violence, this film really is a keeper.

So come on guys be daring and track down a copy of this cult favourite that deserves far more attention and recognition.

I remember hating this on release in '76, but seeing it again made me realize it had some serious things going on. First off, Bill Cosby was actually interesting for a change (although he was great in I SPY - TV and HICKEY AND BOGGS with R. Cup) and was not selling stupidity or jello. Harvey Keitel as the naive good new guy was as compelling as ever, Raquel Welch was THE BABE (she was good in KANSAS CITY BOMBER), and Allen Garfield as owner of the quirky ambulance outfit is always perfectly cast.

A 5 out of 10. Bruce Davison (who started his career as a lead actor) is believably human and there is a rhythm to this flick that defies genre-casting (dramady)? Anyway, not worth buying, but check it out on cable and you'll catch some subliminal surprises of the most normal kind!