Delta Fox

My review was written in September 1983 after watching the IUD video cassette.

"The Delta Fox" is a theatrically unreleased 1977 production (currently on view via the home video market) that aspires to the mood of the 1940s film noir (in 1970s setting) but lacks the required narrative skill. Besides its familiar roster of name actors who pop up frequently in B-pictures, it features an early leading role for Priscilla Barnes (of tv's "Three's Company") and an unusual tortured hero performance by familiar screen heavy Richard Lynch.

Most of the exposition here is provided in lengthy, typed-out opening and end credits, with the film proper conforming to the streamlined structure of 1970s action films such as the classic "Vanishing Point". (Low-budgeter also relies heavily on Ma Bell dialog, with star-billed Stuart Whitman literally phoning in most of his performance.)

Lynch portrays David Fox (with "Delta Fox" nickname), a con let out of prison (to exploit his stock car driving ability) to aid the government in catching a San Francisco-based tax shelter specialist (Stuart Whitman) wanted for tax evasion. Lynch hops into his Camaro which he proceeds to destory in various chases around the Miami harbor.

Stealing Priscilla Barnes' landscaping truck, he also acquires her (in true road movie fashion) as a teammate and bedmate, traveling through Georgia (to pick up his exquisite Porsche) to an idyll in New Orleans. Justice Department agent Johnson (John Ireland) is on Fox's back seeking results, but the hero is torn between his mission and seeking revenge against whoever killed his brother years before.

With somewhat confusing continuity, pic climaxes back in Florida, with the expected Whitman-Lynch showdown and an uncovincing happy ending (disclosed mainly in the end titles).

Lynch is impressive here in a surprisingly sympathetic role for the man who terrorized Al Pacino memorably in "Scarecrow" over a decade ago. Another switch is the camera's unsparing display of his heavily-scarred neck and chest, used as a film noir plot point when Barnes comments on his disfigurement in an apres-sex scene, Lynch blaming it on "the war".

Barnes is lovely and feisty as his romantic sparring partner, though, as with her other 1977 starring role in the Telly Savalas-helmed "Mati", stuck in a film vehicle which did nothing for her career, being left on the shelf. Rest of the cast, despite top billing, is along for the ride, with a certain amount of reflexive in-joking going on. Whitman, for example, tells a client to silence his investors, clamoring for a return, by saying their money was invested in a flop movie. In context, he's pretty convincing.

Despite it's probable B-movie status, this film was quite enjoyable. It had everything needed for a taut, action-packed thriller/mystery. Richard Lynch, Hollywood's number one bad-boy, plays David "Delta" Fox, former bagman for the mob who's released from prison to work for the Justice Department. His assignment is to set up his former boss, crooked tax lawyer Harold Arnold, played by Stuart Whitman, by transporting one million dollars of dirty mob money from Miami to San Francisco where the Feds will be waiting to bust Arnold. But the tables are turned on Fox when it's clear someone is out to kill him before he delivers the money to Arnold. Along to way Fox kidnaps Karen, played by Priscilla Barnes, to help him get out of Florida. The plot then shifts to Fox trying to figure out who is out to kill him, as well as who killed his brother Mike. Are they one in the same? There are a couple of car chase scenes to keep you on the edge of your seat as well as the obligatory gunfight or two.

Lynch, who USUALLY plays the bad guy, is more of an anti-hero in this film. You can't help but root for the Fox to get the bad guys, and the girl. His performance was dead on perfect for an up and coming matinee idol, complete with good looks and sex appeal, not to mention great cars to drive! Too bad he didn't get more films/roles like this one as he is totally capable of delivering more than above average performances in everything he does. Barnes was good as Karen, a little ditzy, but that was probably scripted that way to make Fox look even smarter. John Ireland, who plays Justice Department agent Lucas Johnson and with whom Fox is working, is unintentionally funny in his thwarted efforts to catch up with Fox on the road. Lastly Whitman was delightful as the sleazy lawyer with the ultra bimbo girlfriend. The music was stock music, but I still liked it, it set the tone of the late 70's for me. All in all a very good film I think, one that I am proud to have in my video collection.

"Delta Fox" is sort of a role reversal for Richard Lynch. You get the usual action film car chases and explosions, only this time Lynch is the good guy being chased, instead of his usual villainous role. Stuart Whitman is the bad guy with the bad whig. Priscilla Barnes is Lynch's love interest, once she gets past being taken hostage by him. It must have been Lynch's fabulous 70s brown leather jacket that won her over? The plot is murky, something to do with Whitman laundering money, and Lynch revenging his dead brother. This supposed cross country road trip movie doesn't get any further west than New Orleans. Probably the budget stopped there? This is OK for Richard Lynch fans, but others will find the ride a bit tedious. - MERK

I bought this film for one reason....Richard Lynch. He is such an underrated actor who should have gone on to bigger and better things. Instead, he is now caught in miserable European and low budget American films that are not worthy of his talents (or anybody else's for that matter). He gets the chance in this film to be somewhat of a hero although he is supposed to be the bad guy. He and Priscilla Barnes have some chemistry and they have one pretty hot love scene. It was a surprise to see Lynch expose so much of his scarred body...he usually wears high necked shirts and long sleeves. It is mentioned briefly by Barnes when she says "What happened?" and he replies "That's another story". John Ireland is corny as the Federal pursuer but what's new? This is a worth watching because it is full of action and it doesn't make you think too much. Good for a rainy Saturday afternoon.

Richard Lynch as Fox, an ex-criminal who got out of jail by a Federal Agent (John Ireland) to work for a bad guy (Stuart Whitman) who set his brother up and got him killed. But the tables turn on Fox as he is set-up by Whitman and is on the run as numerous hitman goes after him! He takes a girl (Barnes) hostage and later she teams up with him. Jaeckel and Julius Harris has good supporting role in this very cheap action film made with very little crew members. Lots of car chase and shoot-outs and nudity. The soundtrack is stock music and later used in CRY OF THE PROSTITUTE, KILL AND KILL AGAIN, BLIND RAGE. Recommended to action fans.