Dirty Mary Crazy Larry
From The Deuce
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Taglines
- There's nothin they won't try!
- They don't call them that for nothing.
- PETER FONDA drivin' hard!! SUSAN GEORGE ridin' easy!!
- No one's faster than Crazy Larry, except Dirty Mary!
Main Details
- Released in 1974
- Color
- Running Time: 93 Min.
- Production Co: Academy Pictures Corporation
- Distribution Co: Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation (1974) (USA) (theatrical)
Cast and Crew
- Directed by John Hough
- Written by Leigh Chapman, James H. Nicholson, Antonio Santean
- Starring Peter Fonda, Susan George and Adam Roarke
- Produced by Norman T. Herman, Mickey Zide, Susan Hart, James H. Nicholson
- Cinematography by Michael D. Margulies
- Film Editing by Christopher Holmes
Synopsis
A down on his luck race car driver named Larry (Peter Fonda) and his friend/mechanic Deke (Adam Roarke) rob a supermarket in hopes to get enough money to build a dream race car, which they plan on using to win on the NASCAR circuit. Larry's latest fling, Mary (Susan George) ends up tagging along with the two petty criminals and that's when all the outrageous fun begins. This film is filled with amazing car stunts and thrilling high speed chases. The dialogue is sharp, witty and hilarious and it co-stars Vic Morrow as the head of the police force who is chasing the three outlaws down. A classic 70s carsploitation-crime film.
Film Review
John Hough's 1974 carsploitation cult classic Dirty Mary Crazy Larry follows the adventures of Larry Rayder (Peter Fonda) an aspiring NASCAR racer whose plan is to pull some small robberies to get enough cash to build a brand spanking new stockcar. His partner in crime also happens to be his best friend and mechanic Deke (Adam Roarke). After holding up a supermarket, Larry's latest fling Mary Coombs (Susan George) becomes the third member of the modern outlaws when she mistakenly decides to tag along after the job goes down. What was supposed to be a simple in and out cash grab, soon turns into a motorized manhunt when police captain Franklin (Vic Morrow) is called in to track down the trio and uses any means necessary to bring them to justice. After Larry ditches their junky getaway car for a suped up 1969 Dodge Charger, the situation really picks up speed and the outrageous thrills come fast and furious featuring several high octane car stunts that are some of the best ever caught on film.
Peter Fonda's Larry is a wreckless arrogant wiseass who doesn't stop cracking jokes throughout the entire film. He is constantly ragging on Mary who he treats as a sex object, comically referring to her as "Dingleberry". Meanwhile Roarke's Deke is the faithful friend who is the most level headed and mature of the three as he quietly surveys what's going on around him. The dialogue is certainly a highlight with its brand of pulpy fast banter.
Dirty Mary Crazy Larry was basically the 70s answer to popular New Hollywood crime films of the late 60s like Bonnie & Clyde and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Peter Fonda who was known for his roles playing fast livin’ rebels in films such as The Wild Angels and Easy Rider fit in perfectly as the lead. Adam Roarke made a helluva co-star since he had been in several biker classics himself like The Savage Seven, Hells Angels on Wheels and Hell’s Belles. British actress Susan George starred in Sam Peckinpah’s controversial Straw Dogs a few years prior and in her turn here as a freewheelin' American gal she made a great ball bustin’ foil for Fonda’s loose cannon Larry.
Reviewed by Pete R. (for The Drive In Mob & The Deuce)
Featured in
- Jackie Brown (1997)
Referenced in
- Death Proof (2007)