Return to Macon County

If anyone born in the late 40's to mid 50's doesn't see this as a symbol of their times, then they're not from the late 40's or 50's. Period. Great vernacular of the times and the emotions we all felt. Too bad they don't make a "modern" version of this movie. The actors seemed so young in this movie, but they're about the same age as I am, so it seems so real to me. Give it a try and see what you think. Especially if you're in your mid to late fifties or early sixties. We're all the same generation and it must strike a familiar cord with you. It is much like the classics like "Of Mice and Men" by Steinbeck. I didn't really put much stock into all of that back in my high school days and early college days, but it's all coming together now. Give a look-see. You'll know what I'm talking about.

This is light fair that I found entertaining. I am a big fan of Nick Nolte's body of work and although he was playing a 20 something hot-rodder when he was in his mid 30's he certainly looked young and naive. His partner in this drag race movie was Don Johnson as the mechanic who knew everything there was to know about making a hot rod go faster than any of the local hicks residing in Macon County.

Of course Nick picks up a wild and crazy chick played by Robin Mattson. So Nick and Robin end up in a love-hate-love relationship and Nick never knows how extreme Ms Mattson's actions will take the boys in to more trouble than they can get in all by themselves.

So the film has fast cars, faster girls, the local tough guys and the sheriff chasing Nick, Don and Robin through Macon County. I wouldn't want to spoil the ending but suffice to say the movie creates a bit of havoc on wheels with property damage and a few guys feelings also get hurt. But 'eh, what's two young hot rodder's to do except create action.

And so began an illustrious career filled with action films and TV series for our two young stars. It certainly was worth a watch for the retro cars and music. I wasn't disappointed. I give it a 6 out of 10 rating.

Although this is nothing to write home about, it'a a real chance to see two superstars, in their starting. This being Nolte's first film, just lays proof, of what such a superb character actor he is. He is by far the stronger lead performance, but Johnson is bl**dy good, while also having such a sexy, angel cute performance by Mattinson, as the woman, they really should of not brought with em', is much admired, where her departure, is much disappointing. Nolte's character has a dream of winning this big car race, in Dayton, California, if I'm not mistaken. Where for bread, cherry smiling mate, Johnson, with his cheating powerhouse engine, races young ill bred, bad boy townsfolk for money, and we know who'll inevitably win, only this time they've picked the wrong dude, and add a crazy homicidal cop, many troopers all after our sexy trio, and there you, pretty have your story. The best thing about this movie is it's opening and ending, little music number, by Chuck Berry, which surpasses anything else between, just like the music number at the start and end, does the same in Miami Vice. Have. A 90 minute tme passer, it's only interest if see a much younger Nolte and Johnson. With the chase scene, off the road, into the woods, I couldn't see how they could of lost Johnson and Nolte. Well, really, not something to keep me up, dwelling on all night.

I just watched this again on one of the rerun cable stations tonight. It takes me back to my youth because I am 63 now. In 1975 when this movie came out I was a the projectionist at a multi-screen drive in movie theater. I was around 21 years old and had just started to do this job for a living.

The picture did so well that it was held-over for at least 4 weeks! That almost never happened in a drive-inn! I remember we had 4 screens and all the projectors in one room over the snack bar. The starting times of the movies were staggered just right so that I could run them all with no mistakes other than an occasional tear in the film which would automatically shut down the machine.

That picture had nearly every car space filled on the weekends and several other nights as well. So, this lot was the full one while the other screens did dismally worse than that. one. By the time I shipped it out I must have seen the car chase scene a hundred times!

Sequel to the hixploitation classic "Macon County Line." Max Baer Jr. produced and co-wrote the original film, but was not part of this production. However the co-writer and director of the original film, Richard Compton returned to write and direct this solidly entertaining sequel, which is essentially the same story as the first film but with a new set of characters. Two young men, not brothers this time, are traveling through the south on their way to race cars in California, but run afoul the local sheriff after picking up a local girl and angering the local hot rodders after losing a race. Although the story and action are inferior to the original film, this film boast a much stronger cast, which includes a before-they-were-famous Nick Nolte and Don Johnson as the two leads. It's clear that both Nolte and Johnson were destined to be stars with their strong screen presence and charisma, especially Johnson. Robin Mattson is also quite good as the local girl they pick up, although she did not go on to have the major career of Johnson and Nolte. Overall, "Return to Macon County" is not a classic exploitation film, but it is a solidly entertaining one.