Set in Kansas City in 1933, Eastwood plays a police lieutenant known simply by his last name, Speer. Reynolds plays a former cop turned private eye named Mike Murphy. Both Speer and Murphy served on the force together and were once good friends, but are now bitter enemies. When Murphy's partner is slain they team up again to fight the mob.
Acting
Reynolds and Eastwood's barely-contained mutual disdain accidentally perfect.
Costume
Reynolds' pastel suits deserve their own supporting actor credit.
Director
Richard Benjamin
Clint Eastwood
Lieutenant Speer
Burt Reynolds
Mike Murphy
Jane Alexander
Addy
Madeline Kahn
Caroline Howley
Rip Torn
Primo Pitt
Irene Cara
Ginny Lee
Richard Roundtree
Dehl Swift
Tony Lo Bianco
Leon Coll
William Sanderson
Lonnie Ash
Nicholas Worth
Troy Roker
Robert Davi
Nino
John Hancock
Fat Freddy
Jack Thibeau
Garage Soldier
Gerald S. O'Loughlin
Counterman Louie
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Original director Blake Edwards was fired after clashing with Eastwood; Richard Benjamin replaced him and reshot significant portions, which explains the tonal whiplash.
This was meant to capitalize on Reynolds' 'Cannonball Run' hot streak and Eastwood's 'Sudden Impact' momentum—instead it killed the buddy-cop genre for three years.
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