Police in Boston search for a mad bomber trying to extort money from the city.
Acting
Weston and Reynolds have genuine buddy-cop chemistry worth the runtime.
Production
Boston location shooting captures grimy pre-gentrification authenticity.
Director
Richard A. Colla
Burt Reynolds
Det. Steve Carella
Jack Weston
Det. Meyer Meyer
Tom Skerritt
Det. Bert Kling
Raquel Welch
Det. Eileen McHenry
James McEachin
Det. Arthur Brown
Steve Ihnat
Det. Andy Parker
Dan Frazer
Lt. Byrnes
Bert Remsen
Sgt. Murchison
Stewart Moss
Det. Hal Willis
Royce D. Applegate
Patrolman Cramer
Norman Burton
Police Commissioner Nelson
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Based on Ed McBain's 87th Precinct novels, this was Reynolds' attempt to pivot from Navajo Joe westerns to urban comedy before Smokey and the Bandit cemented his good-ol'-boy image.
The bomber's media manipulation plot accidentally predicted 24-hour news cycles; Colla shot the press conference scenes like actual coverage, confusing some Boston locals who thought a real crisis was unfolding.
US
