THUNDERBOLT AND LIGHTFOOT (1974)

MORGAN'S RATING

The story begins with an ex-con and present-day cowtown preacher who is hiding away from his old partners from a previous caper whose loot was hidden and has since disappeared. His partners believe he has conned them out of their share, so he finds himself reluctantly teaming up with a young drifter who can help him escape. When the escape fails, the preacher convinces his pursuers for his innocence, and the five men find themselves contemplating a repeat caper performance, masterminded by the drifter.

Clint Eastwood (John "Thunderbolt" Doherty, alias 'the Canardor'), Jeff Bridges (Lightfoot, alias 'Crowbar'), Geoffrey Lewis (Eddie Goody), Catherine Bach (Melody), Gary Busey (Curly), Jack Dodson (Vault Manager, Montana Armor), Gene Elman (Tourist at Schoolhouse), Burton Gilliam (Welder), Roy Jenson (Dunlop), Claudia Lennear (Secretary), Bill McKinney (Crazy Driver), Vic Tayback (Mario Pinski, Contractor), Dub Taylor (Station Attendant), Gregory Walcott (Used Car Salesman), Erica Hagen (Waitress), Alvin Childress (Janitor in Department Store), Virginia Baker (Woman at Station), Stuart Nisbet (Arnold), Irene K. Cooper (Cashier), Cliff 'Fatty' Emmich (The Fat Man at Telegraph Office), June Fairchild (Gloria), Ted Foulkes (Young Boy), Leslie Oliver, Mark Montgomery (Teenagers), Karen Lamm (Girl on Motorcycle), Luanne Roberts (Suburban Housewife), Lila Teigh (Tourist at Schoolhouse), George Kennedy (Red Leary), David Chow (Kung-Fu Master, uncredited).

HE HAS EXACTLY SEVEN MINUTES TO GET RICH QUICK!

FACTS

PRODUCTION INFORMATION

RELEASE DATE: May 22nd, 1974 (USA) BOX OFFICE RESULT: $25.0 million (USA) BUDGET: $4 million (USA) - Michael Cimino was given the chance to write and direct this picture for Clint Eastwood after Eastwood was impressed with a rewrite Cimino did on the second Dirty Harry script, Magnum Force (1973). - When Michael Cimino was discussing the film with Jeff Bridges, he told Bridges it was his job to make Clint Eastwood laugh both on and off camera and he did. - Nominated for one Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor (Jeff Bridges).

DIRECTOR: Michael Cimino. WRITER: Michael Cimino. PRODUCER: Robert Daley. ORIGINAL MUSIC: Dee Barton. DISTRIBUTOR: United Artists.

QUOTES

Lightfoot: You ain't no preacher, Preacher.

Red Leary: Does he know anything? [At the same time] John Doherty: No. Lightfoot: Yes.

[Lightfoot is driving a truck and sees a woman riding a motorcycle in shorts] Lightfoot: Hey where did you get those pants? [The woman pulls out a hammer, pounds the truck and rides off] Lightfoot: You freak! I love you, come back!

CRITICAL COMMENTS

"So-so medium budget actioner for the drive-in set." -- Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

"Remember seeing this as a kid and loving it. I don't know if it still holds up, but I loved it way back when." -- John Venable, Supercala.com

John Doherty: You don't look so good, kid. Lightfoot: I believe you're right.

Lightfoot: Thunderbolt and Lightfoot. That sounds like something.