In this film, Cannonball is the nickname of Coy Buckman our protagonist in this fun flick starring David Carradine. This is David Carradine’s second collaboration with director Paul Bartel, following their cult-classic Death Race 2000. The plan for this film was to have a more light-hearted version of the road-race formula. With that in mind they more than succeeded here with this action film as it clearly has the mass appeal they desired.
The movie gets billed as an action/comedy/drama, unfortunately the comedy aspect is nowhere to be found here, but don’t let that put you off. The film is a road-race with a mix of characters, and climaxes with a massive multi car crash disaster. Although they miss on the comedy the film is very good. The story develops in a straight ahead manner, and delivers in the few surprises that keep you at the edge of your seat.
Coy “Cannonball” runs a good part of this race with his girlfriend/parole officer, Linda (Veronica Hamel). They get help from Cannonball’s best friend and mechanic, Zippo who runs in a matching Trans Am as a decoy with the hope of giving Cannonball a winning edge. Towards the end of the race Coy insists Linda proceed with his decoy buddy Hippo.
His brother Bennie has other plans and looks to cash in, while Cannonball’s arch-enemy, Cade Redman looks to put Cannonball out of the race completely! So, buckle up for a wild ride here! There's plenty of twists and turns with the cast as they race for the prize from L.A. to New York.
This film is an entertaining cross-country road-race romp. It is action packed and you'll be surprised who wins the $100,000 prize in the end. We even get treated to some surprising cameos that alone make this movie worth watching.
Check it out, I think you’ll love it.
The Cast:
- David Carradine - Coy "Cannonball" Buckman
- Bill McKinney - Cade Redman, Cannonball's nemesis
- Veronica Hamel - Linda Maxwell, Cannonball's parole officer and love interest
- Gerrit Graham - Perman Waters
- Robert Carradine - Jim Crandell
- Belinda Balaski - Maryann
- Mary Woronov - Sandy Harris (Girl in the Van #1)
- Diane Lee Hart - Wendy (Girl in the Van #2)
- Glynn Rubin - Ginny (Girl in the Van #3)
- James Keach - Wolf Messer, the West German professional
- Dick Miller - Bennie Buckman, Cannonball's older brother
- Paul Bartel - Lester Marks
- Stanley Bennett Clay - Beutell Morris
- Judy Canova - Sharma Capri, Perman's manager
- Archie Hahn - Zippo, Cannonball's friend
- Carl Gottlieb - Terry McMillan
- David Arkin - Dennis Caldwell
- Louisa Moritz - Louisa
- Patrick Wright - Brad Phillips, organizer of the Trans-American Grand Prix
- Joe Dante - Kid
- Allan Arkush - Panama
- Jonathan Kaplan - All-Night Gas Station Attendant
- Roger Corman - Los Angeles County District Attorney
- Don Simpson - L.A. County Assistant District Attorney
- Martin Scorsese - Mafioso #1 (uncredited)
- Sylvester Stallone - Mafioso #2 (uncredited)
The film has uncredited cameos with Martin Scorsese, Sylvester Stallone, Roger Corman and Don Simpson. Directors Joe Dante, Jonathan Kaplan and Allan Arkush also have cameos, along with Aron Kincaid.
