CANNONBALL RUN II (1984)

MORGAN'S RATING

Thirty big-name stars, 300-horsepower horeseplay and 3,000 breakneck miles: that's the reeved-up sequel Cannonball Run II. Join this second joyride crammed with goofball disguises and souped-up vehicles. The cars zip along at top speed. The stars quip along in top form. And the only rule is there are no rules.

Burt Reynolds (J.J. McClure), Dom DeLuise (Victor Prinzim / Captain Chaos / Don Canneloni), Dean Martin (Jamie Blake), Sammy Davis, Jr. (Morris Fenderbam), Jamie Farr (The Sheik), Telly Savalas (Hymie Kaplan), Marilu Henner (Betty), Shirley MacLaine (Veronica), Susan Anton (Jill), Catherine Bach (Marcie), Foster Brooks, Sid Caesar (Fishermen), Jackie Chan (Jackie), Tim Conway (CHP Officer), Tony Danza (Terry), Jack Elam (The Doc), Michael V. Gazzo (Sonny), Richard Kiel (Arnold), Don Knotts (CHP Officer), Ricardo Montalban (King), Jim Nabors (Pvt. Homer Lyle), Louis Nye (Fisherman), Molly Picon (Mrs. Goldfarb), Charles Nelson Reilly (Don Don Canneloni), Alex Rocco (Tonny), Henry Silva (Slim), Frank Sinatra (Himself), Joe Theismann (Mack), Mel Tillis (Mel), Shawn Weatherly (Dean's Girl), Abe Vigoda (Caesar), Dale Ishimoto (Japanese Businessman), Arte Johnson (Pilot), Chris Lemmon (Young CHP), George Lindsey (Cal), Doug McClure (The Slapper), Jilly Rizzo (Jilly), Dub Taylor (Sheriff), Fred Dryer (Officer), Frank Welker (Special Vocal Effects), Hal Needham (Man With Cowboy Hat, uncredited).

FASTEN YOUR SEATBELTS. THOSE CRAZY CANNONBALLERS ARE AT IT AGAIN!

FACTS

PRODUCTION INFORMATION

RELEASE DATE: June 29th, 1984 (USA) BOX OFFICE OPENING: $8.3 million (USA) BOX OFFICE RESULT: $28.0 million (USA) - Frank Sinatra's cameo was his final acting role in a theatrical film, though he would make one final appearance in the TV movie Young at Heart (1995). All his other appearances from here on would be in documentaries and retrospectives. - Jackie Chan appears as part of a contractual obligation to Warner Bros. - Nominated for seven 1985 Razzie Awards for Worst Actor, Worst Actress, Worst Director, Worst Picture, Worst Screenplay, Worst Supporting Actor, and two Worst Supporting Actresses.

DIRECTOR: Hal Needham (Cannonball Run). WRITERS: Harvey Miller, Hal Needham, Albert S. Ruddy and based on the characters created by Brock Yates. PRODUCER: Albert S. Ruddy. EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Raymond Chow and Andre Morgan. ORIGINAL MUSIC: Al Capps. DISTRIBUTOR: Warner Bros.

QUOTES

CHP Officer: What are you boys trying to pull? J.J.: There's been a nuclear meltdown and we're transporting some contaminated materials to Connecticut. CHP Officer: Well, why Connecticut? J.J.: They ran out.

CRITICAL COMMENTS

Blake: We're gonna die! We're gonna die, we're gonna die! What do you think they're gonna do to us? Fenderbaum: I don't know what they're gonna do to you, but since Mr. T ain't here, I'll be too busy licking their boots to see.

"This movie has to be one of the funniest movies of the 80's and sadly overlooked. It is often relegated as a second-rate Burt, but this movie packs so many cameos and awesome stunts by director Hal Needham that it achieves a surrealism that almost makes it a commentary on pop-art culture." -- Rick Sutton, Rec Arts Movie Reviews

King: How come you have a blond, blue-eyed slave? Shiek: He's an actor. Hasn't had a series in seven years. The Slapper: Nine!

Tony: We've put our heads together, and we've decided we're gonna rip off the Arab, on the road, during the car race. Don Don: Oh, you put your heads together, huh? It must've sounded like a bowling alley!

King: I order you back to America to win the Cannonball Run! I give you one last chance because you are my only son with a driver's license. Shiek: But, Pop, there is no Cannonball Run this year. King: So, buy one!