Exactly what is the "Return" referenced in this film? Was this positioned as a sequel to "Macon County Line"? Did they play at drive-ins on a double bill?
This film has nothing to do with "Macon County Line" except perhaps the setting, but it's a very enjoyable coming-of-age movie that I enjoyed even though I'm not a car buff. Nick Nolte and Don Johnson are terrific here. Great soundtrack too. 7/10 stars from me, a point less than the original "Macon County Line."
I think it was done to capitalize on the unexpected success the original film was plus the fact that the director of the original directed this one as well. It is possible both films played together at drive-ins but I don't think it did in my area. No it had nothing really to do with the original film. It was a new story taking place in the same area. It was a cheap but effective marketing ploy. I am sure the movie made much more then it would have under a different title.
shareIt was indeed a cheap marketing ploy. Even though I didn't mind this film, I much preferred the original "Macon County Line." I really don't recall if they played at the same drive-in near me, but I imagine this was the case at many drive-ins. And I imagine the audience was disappointed and confused by the second feature.
shareGood thing it didn't continue! Otherwise we get The Maconball Rally or The Dukes of Macon. I caught this & enjoyed it for the fun romp that it is
shareYes, it was a lot of fun regardless of the title (which just seemed like an act of desperation to me).
shareInteresting how young Nolte looked & then suddenly aged over night! Somewhere between The Deep & 48 Hours he must have had a lot of fun.
shareIndeed. And ol' "Saint" Nick continued to have a lot of fun in the decades to come, as that recent embarrassing mugshot suggests. Late-night comics continue to drag that one out.
Regardless of what was going on in his personal life, I think he's always been able to deliver performances that were right on the mark.
Agree, Mr. Nolte always brings it...
I'd say his & Glen Campbell's DUI mugshots have to be 2 of the best (or worst) ever
Yes, Glen Campbell's was a hoot too. Then there's the one of Randy Travis:
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/entertainment/2012/08/randy-travis-naked-d uring-dwi-arrest/
And the James Brown (may he rest in peace, but not without us dredging this up):
http://crime.about.com/library/blbrown.htm
Funny, I'm watching The Rookies season 2 episode 18 from Feb of '74...lo & behold there's old Don & Nick robbing an armory. Mr. Johnson's hair was feathered up a la David Cassidy really nice. Surprised he wasn't doing shampoo commercials by the score back then. Anyway, wonder if it led to them working together in Return to Macon County.
shareI regret I still have yet to see a single episode of "The Rookies." We didn't have ABC where I grew up until we got cable in '78 or so. Someday I'll come across it in the bins. But yes, Don had "that look" that fit the era well -- boyish face and well-groomed long hair that wasn't threatening.
Don was in a surprising amount of excellent counterculture films in the early and mid-'70s: "Zachariah," "The Harrad Experiment" and "A Boy and His Dog." I still have yet to see "The Magic Garden of Stanley Sweetheart," which looks like a real trip back in time and mind.
Yeah, Don was a walking Wella Balsam ad....skinny & boyish indeed.. Interestingly, Nolte was on the verge of stardom with North Dallas Forty & The Deep right around the corner. I didn't know who Mr. Johnson was until Miami Vice. Of the movies you listed, I've only experienced A Boy & His Dog. I'll have to find some of those other titles.
No Rookies?? No ABC?? The Rookies was one of my favorite cop shows in the mid '70's along with Starsky & Hutch as well as SWAT & The Mod Squad. In fact, SWAT was a spin-off of The Rookies. Anyway, a well done Aaron Spelling cop show with an incredibly lovely (and young) Kate Jackson. It was gritty & realistic for the day (& pretty violent). I think someone gets killed every episode!!
"SWAT" is another show that, unfortunately, I still have yet to see. At least I have the theme song on an album by Rhythm Heritage.
With the exception of a few shows such as "Happy Days" and "Starsky & Hutch," which my local CBS/NBC affiliates would inexplicably carry during prime time, I rarely saw any ABC shows until we got cable in the late '70s. Thankfully, I discover more about my favorite decade every day. So much '70s, so little time!
Sorry for changing the subject, but look at a younger Don Johnson in the 1979 "Amateur Night At The Dixie Bar & Grill." Another one that needs a DVD release.
shareThanks for the recommendation on "Amateur Night at the Dixie Bar and Grill"; I'll try to find it if I can. I vaguely remember when that aired. I didn't realize Joel Schumacher directed it, and it has a great cast.
A lot of TV movies were released on low-quality VHS, sometimes with different titles.