Someday — not today, but soon — I will write an essay proving, once and for all and beyond a reasonable doubt, that “Smokey and the Bandit” is the most unapologetically American movie ever made.
But not tonight.
Tonight I’m going to pour another scotch and go to sleep.
But that essay is coming, I’m telling you.
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Good sir, would you mind pouring a second for your guest whose intrusion at this late hour is to concur with your estimation of the fine film, Smokey and the Bandit. The subversive nature of the picture is unrivaled. We have a duo on a cross country run to smuggle contraband booze across state lines while using modern technology to avoid the fuzz, woo the girl, and see the world, at least the corner of it that stretches from Texas to Georgia. Now tis debatable that any would make such a trek now when Coors is readily available and tastes awful, but it contains the essential elements of Americana, gambling, bootlegging, and driving, with Sally Field, who at the time was sure easy on the eyes. Yes, Sally, we really liked you. The only thing preventing a reboot is the success of Reaganism at tearing down those anti-Coors walls. I look forward to the essay, but I’ll remind you, Buford here says he’s gonna barbecue your ass in molasses if you don’t get it done soon. Between you and me, I think he’s bluffing.
Joe,
Interesting that you mentioned the taste of Coors. In the decade or so that I’ve lived here in Colorado, in all the countless parties and barbecues I’ve attended, no one has ever offered me a Coors. Lot’s of Corona’s yes, but not one Coors.
Already agree with the essay without having read it.
Joe,
A friend once passed on to me the following advice from his father:
“Any time you throw a party, make sure that you have on hand plenty of Coors Light, for the sake of those among your guests who do not drink beer.”
Then there’s my Norwegian friend who asked me if I knew why American beer was like sex on the beach…I’d give you the answer except I’m not sure how family-friendly our host likes to keep his comment section.
I’m not sure who you’d be trying to convince with that essay. Is there anyone who disagrees with that premise?
Many years ago, I was at a promotion party for one of the guys in a USAF squadron I was working for at the time. Out of nowhere, one of the 2LTs ran up to me and blurted out, “Will! You’re from Alabama–what’s the name of the dog in Smokey and the Bandit?”
Sad statement on the state of education in this country that the kid didn’t even know from Fred…
Hell yeah! The wife and I watch it once every summer. Just because.
I came within a hair of buying a “Smokey Edition” Firebird last year. 40,000 miles, looked mint, and only $6k. I just don’t have a place to put it. I’m sure that car is going to appreciate.
“Is there anyone who disagrees with that premise?”
Yes, everyone who is wrong.
Coors? The only reason to drink that is as a setup to the “Sir, I hate to be the one to tell you, but your horse has diabetes” joke.
I drove from Texarkana to Atlanta in one go once. Took me just of 23 hours. I got lucky in that I found a semi to tail that was going 90 mph most of the way. That’s as close as I’ll ever come to living the movie.
Will, I’m from Ohio, and I know Fred’s name!
A truly classic movie, even if the hoi-polloi critics don’t agree. While I never looked at it from Stephen’s point of view, I think he is quite right.