On the Run

A man on parole, in love with his bosses married daughter, robs a bank and then runs off to Mexico with the daughter in tow.

If you've ever wondered what Southern drive-in fare was like in the early 1970's, look no farther. This is the sort of low budget movie that played all along the South during the boom days of the drive-in movie theater. My guess this would have been the second or third feature of a multi feature program.

While this is not the best movie in the world (an understatement) it does have a certain nostalgic charm, at least for me. I like the fact that Dub Taylor, a character actor who's work goes all the way back to the Frank Capra movies of the 1930's is allowed to play something close to a lead. The movie itself is just okay, but its clearly a film that never could stand on its own except as a filler on a multi feature program.

Is it worth seeing? As a stand alone feature probably not, but if you're going to have a night of movies you might want to throw this one into the mix, especially if you're doing an evening of country themed drive-in movies.

This is a Bonnie and Clyde-type film, though done in then-present-day 70's Deep South. It has a gritty feel, and one feels the angst of the stars, Bobby Lee (who just got out of the slammer on parole, having been inside for a year for an attempted grocery store robbery) and his girlfriend, Ruthie (married to another guy, but can't afford a divorce), trying to get their lives back on track in a dead-end hick-town he can't stand and is tired of just two days later. It's certainly watchable and is in no way as bad as reviews tend to give it. This is Jack Conrad's filmmaking debut, but it's not a monstrosity. After negotiations with Jeff Bridges and Robert Blake broke down for the main part of Bobby Lee, Conrad was forced to play the role himself, and he's no embarrassment. Though it tends to be ridden with cliché, and the main characters are extremely unintelligent in their bank-robbing and getaway approaches, it's still a fun ride and worth checking out if you have the opportunity.

If you are in the mood for a 1970s southern drive-in movie, you might want to give "Country Blue" a try. To be sure, it's not a perfect movie. It has a number of slow spots, the level of acting is variable, and the boom mike is visible in several shots. Still, I had a reasonable amount of fun with the movie. It's always welcome to see Dub Taylor, who adds spark to his scenes. The production values, while not excellent, don't look too shabby. There are some pleasant songs on the soundtrack. The best things about the movie are the writing and the direction. There are several spots in the story that took me by surprise, coming out of nowhere and making me wonder just what was coming next. I couldn't predict what the ending would be. The direction really captures the feeling of the rural south; you can feel the heat and general poverty. Also, the direction adds some flourishes here and there that are novel and keep you watching. There are also some novel post-production edits here and there that get your attention. This movie won't ever win any awards, but it's good entertainment for those nostalgic for drive-in movies of this kind.

The budget for this film may have been $10,000. But I don't care. It was set in South Georgia / North Florida, which is close to my heart since I grew up a middle Georgia. Was set in the early to mid-70s, which is near and dear to my heart since I was born in 1966. And it has some very redeeming elements and charming aspects, even though it's an extremely low budget movie with no name brand actors or anybody involved in this production. The 15 mph stop sign in Valdosta was funny as was the mega size Schlitz beer bottle in an early bar scene. And there were several scenes that had high production values, like the primary couple being affectionate in the water, and some of the chase scenes, very well done. I'm not sure that Smokey and the Bandit was much better than this movie.

Alright, stripping down to the essence, this is standard "southern discomfort" storytelling - poverty, crime, sex, corruption, and retribution. There's nothing inherently clever in the individual elements: we've seen 'em all before, and mostly done better. It does have the strength of atmospheric authenticity: it was shot in the South, and it feels real. The locations are appropriately weatherbeaten and lived-in, the character's behaviors don't feel over-the-top stereotypical; you get the notion real Southerners put this together. And of course, who doesn't love Dub Taylor? What I find most effective and interesting is that this movie has the perfect pace for a drive-in date. Whenever things get boring or a scene with the hero and his girl goes a little too long, you suspect this is when people in their cars would in turn focus on their beloved and start with the midnight baseball. You know how on the old Letterman show he'd sometimes say, "When you see me enjoy a delicious beverage, feel free to enjoy one at home"? The kissin' n' huggin' scenes seem to be giving the same signal to the viewer: it's follow-the-leader time. And sure enough, it puts all the really important plot detail and high-speed action at the end, just in time for when the average lover would have depleted their personal energies and would turn their attention back to the movie. Don't believe me? Try it at home sometime. It's much more fun than playing one of those sitcom drinking games.