Dirty Mary Crazy Larry Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES
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!
There's nothin' they won't try!
Mary and Larry are two lovers who, with Larry's ace mechanic, rob a grocery store and flee the police with hopes of making the professional racing circuit. They are chased over hill, over vale by the cops, who deploy everything from a 426 Hemi to a helicopter to stop Larry's Dodge Charger culminating in a memorable ending.
| Peter Fonda | Larry |
| Susan George | Mary Coombs |
| Adam Roarke | Deke Sommers |
| Kenneth Tobey | Carl Donahue |
| Eugene Daniels | Hanks |
| Lynn Borden | Evelyn Stanton |
| Janear Hines | Millie |
| Elizabeth James | Dispatcher |
| Adrianne Herman | Cindy Stanton |
| T.J. Castronova | Steve |
| James W. Gavin | Helicopter Pilot |
| Al Rossi | Surl |
| Ben Niems | Police Chief Markey |
| George Westcott | Bridge Operator |
| Tom O'Neill | Farmer |
| John Hough |
6.40 out of 10 (1905 votes)
Visitor Reviews
"You know what a man would do right now if he were smart?"
posted on 25 Jun 2009Needing money to finance a racing team, Larry (Peter Fonda) and Deke (Adam Roarke) decide to hold-up a grocery store. Things are going as planned until Larry's one-night-stand, Mary (Susan George), turns up in the getaway car. The three must settle their differences if they are to evade the police and make their escape.What Works: - The Stunts. Dirty Mary Crazy Larry is such a simple movie. It's the kind of movie that's best enjoyed with your bran turned off. This isn't rocket science, it's a car chase movie. The chase scenes are expertly filmed with a minimum of cuts. We see everything exactly the way it happened. And, as the film was made in 1974, we're seeing real people perform the dangerous action and not some computer generated idea of what the stunts should look like.- The Acting. Everyone in the movie is great. Fonda and George may get top billing, but Roarke really shines. Roarke's Deke is flawed character with a lot of heart. His scene with Mary toward the end of the movie is perfectly played and unexpectedly emotional. I'm amazed that Roarke didn't go on to bigger things.- The Ending. That ending took some real guts. The movie sucks you in and makes you really care about whether or not these characters are going to make their escape. And out of nowhere comes that ending. Wow!What Doesn't Work: - The Dialogue. Some of the dialogue reminded me of a foreign movie that has been translated into English. Some of the lines just didn't seem natural. I don't remember grown adults actually talking like that in the 70s.- Susan George's Accent. For the most part, George does a good job of covering her English accent. But there are times when it slips through and is a bit distracting.I realize that Dirty Mary Crazy Larry isn't the type of movie to appeal to everyone, but I had a blast watching it. It's the kind of entertainment I enjoy. The Region 1 DVD is fantastic with a nice documentary featuring Fonda, George, and director John Hough. The fun they had making this movie really comes through. Fonda, in particular, acts like a schoolboy as he reminisces about the movie. They appeared to have as much fun making it as I did watching it.
Fun and atmosphere
posted on 11 May 2009Okay, Dirty Mary Crazy Larry is basically a car chase movie. However, this movie is nicely paced and well crafted for the this genre. Peter Fonda is the focal point as Larry, and he alternates between manic and gloomy, punctuating the action with humorous comments and a devil may care attitude.
Adam Roarke as his mechanic/sidekick is the anti-Larry, a guy who is dealing with his own demons and is ready to step in when Fonda's character goes too far. Susan George is the wildcard in this movie. She latches on to Fonda and proves that she is not to be underestimated. The scene-stealer of the movie is Vic Morrow as the sheriff, who produces some of the best lines in this movie. When he gets in the chopper, the pilot says, "I just take orders" and Vic replies "Good, cause I give lots of 'em...let's go!".
If this sounds like nothing special, check out this movie and you will see the other element which stands out, the atmosphere. Drawbridges, apple orchards, a small town flea market, dusty roads, big trucks etc. This is no "Dukes of Hazzard" mindless kind of car chase movie. There is a lot of intelligence and humor in the script, and it is well-paced and directed. An enjoyable movie to kill a couple of hours. I never said it was Citizen Kane!
wa-a-a-a-ay better when i was younger
posted on 15 Mar 2009I saw this "film" the first time when I was a teenager, late at night, on broadcast television. Wow, wow, wow!! Susan George was the ideal older woman to a 70s-era kid: sun-bleached blonde, jiggling halter top, and loose! Peter Fonda was uber-cool, and we all aspired to his élan. The ending was an object lesson on the upper limit of "too cool", so we tempered our stride.But then a funny thing happened. I grew older. I learned to appreciate dialogue in movies. I learned that "cool" doesn't pay bills, and that there's a lot of women whose entire net worth is bottled up inside their jiggling halter top.I saw this again a few weeks ago on a satellite movie station, on a Sunday afternoon.Teenagers are idiots. I can say this unequivocally because I liked this movie when I was a teenager. The only reason I'm grading this 4/10 is because I'm taking the average of my two ratings. It got 10 stars a few decades ago. Do the math.
Fun, breezy, landmark 1970's action film.
posted on 22 Feb 2009This quintessential drive-in classic from 1974 has a hotshot racer (Peter Fonda) and his trusted mechanic / sidekick (Adam Roarke) stage a daring supermarket robbery. Almost from the outset they acquire an unwanted companion in a one night stand of Fonda's (Susan George) who isn't about to be just blown off and quite simply attaches herself to them. They spend the balance of the picture evading a very determined lawman (Vic Morrow), who tries to track them from a helicopter.This is made for anybody who loves their action loud and hard and their cars just as cool as can be. The film also takes the unconventional route of giving us anti-heroic, anti-authority troublemakers who aren't necessarily likable. The banter between Fonda and George flies back and forth, with him addressing her such endearing nicknames as "dingleberry" and "supercrotch", with Roarke essentially playing the most low-key and level-headed of the three of them. Morrow's relentless cop isn't necessarily a good guy, either, and he's very intense in the role. The late, great Kenneth Tobey has a few scenes as Morrow's bureaucratic boss, and an oddly cast and uncredited Roddy McDowall does fine as the supermarket manager."Dirty Mary Crazy Larry" is one of the more noteworthy examples of its genre, with the whole film basically adopting an anti-authoritarian, devil-may-care attitude. It's a lively affair with some good chases, in particular a harrowing showdown between a Dodge Charger and the helicopter.The film ends in one of the most daringly downbeat and abrupt final scenes one is likely to find in exploitation fare. It's quite memorable, and adds a real dramatic punctuation to the film.A must for any fan of 1970's drive-in pictures, and a career highlight for its Brit director, John Hough, also at the helm of one of the more interesting horror pictures of the 1970's, "The Legend of Hell House", which incidentally also features Roddy McDowall.8/10
The Best Car Chase Movie Period!
posted on 08 Jan 2009Dirty Mary/ Crazy Larry is not great cinema, so why do I rate it a 10? In a word, History, Never before, or since has there been a movie which consisted almost entirely of a car chase, The dialog may be a bit silly in places, and the plot may seem weak even though the concept is quite interesting, but, the fun factor,(although morbid at times) is high. The characters though, are real, By the movies shocking conclusion, I feel like I actually know them, every time I watch it. I Saw this movie when I was five years old, perhaps a bit to young, but it sparked my love of fast cars and action movies. Some may say Bullit is the greatest car chase on film, but in my opinion, Nothing even came close to Dirty Mary/Crazy Larry!
Remember Drive-Ins?
posted on 28 Sep 2008Perfect Drive-In fare! The review for this movie on the main details page by "evilskip" really says it all. I can't add anything to it other than Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry is a superb snapshot of mid-seventies, drive-in movie drivel. Any sociologist/motion picture researchers somewhere in the future had better pay at least some attention to this very fun Mopar-to-ya chase film.On a downer note, it's disturbing to see Peter Fonda's descent into septic tank of B- films. You would have thought he could continue showing up in high-quality, low-budget movies like Easy Rider. Yet he kept appearing in garbage (fun or not, it didn't matter) like Race With the Devil, Futureworld, and that other one with Susan Saint James. He had to hit senior citizenship to get back to quality. It's too bad.Oh, well. At least he didn't do any exercise tapes like his sister, Hanoi Jane.And Susan George. She's an interesting one. I think her high point was in Straw Dogs (read my review if you haven't anything better to do). She was an important part of Mandingo. But even though she was talented and built like a 426 Hemi, she never seemed to cross over into stardom here in the US. Susan George was very sexy, but that creepy, little girl sneer may have been off-putting to a lot of American guys. A Jenny Agutter may have been able to pull off some of the roles George took, but Agutter was more serious and less threatening, a nice girl. So, Susan George could keep doing B movies or call it quits and get back to England.I saw this movie on ABC thirty years ago and then again on an independent TV station out of Visalia, California. It was actually very pleasant, Fonda had charisma, George had all the stuff she had, and the cars were just awesome.If you can find a copy of Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry, I'd suggest you rent it. I wouldn't buy, but I would enjoy not only the frivolous entertainment of the movie, but the snapshot of a period close to my aging heart.
AWESOME!
posted on 04 Sep 2008This movie is the best ever. It has cool car chases and the best part is the 69 Dodge Charger. My husband owns a 70 Charger and believe me you can take one wild ride in this car, so i know Peter Fonda must of had a ball driving this car. I would also like to know if anybody knows were i can buy this movie. Or if anybody might have a copy of this movie that i can buy from them. I would greatly appreciate it. Please e-mail me if you find out anything. Thank you.
Great movie
posted on 29 Aug 2008This is an excellent, fun, fast moving cops 'n robbers car chase movie. Susan George is great (she's done a few car chases hasn't she, I'm thinking Eyewitness?) I do wonder why she hasn't done too many movies. Adam Roarke is good too as Peter Fonda's sidekick.If you like fast cars and surprise endings, this is a good movie to watch. The surprise ending to this is so unexpected, nobody could've seen it coming. the most surprisingest surprise ending.i give this movie 10 out of 10
Ultra predictable,moral, brainless, but hugely enjoyable.
posted on 08 Aug 2008A modern audience might only enjoy this piece of 1974 disposable rubbish as something of its time. But as one of the generation it was originally aimed at, I can point to many strengths. Firstly, it is very moral. The only people who die are the villains (in the last seconds of the film). All the cops and bystanders are shown (in good 1970's style) extricating themselves safely from their wrecked vehicles. Secondly, it has Susan George in it; well worth looking at (as is I presume Peter Fonda if you are of the female persuasion). Thirdly, the very lack of any plot development allows you to watch the film with your brain in neutral while just enjoying mindless car chases at a time before they were 'enhanced' with CGI and camera-shake.
One Crummy Movie
posted on 30 Jul 2008I don't know where to begin to slam this movie. The dialogue is laughable, there are about 25 inexplicable sub-plots that come out of left field and go nowhere, and the ending - ahhhhhhhh the ending. This movie gets wrapped up in the last scene like a Simpson's episode, only the Simpson's is a comedy and a cartoon. Bad everything - "Ain't that right Dingleberry."
A lost treasure
posted on 21 Jul 2008I saw Dirty Mary Crazy Larry for the first time and it's just very good.This is one of the reasons why movies like this are the ones I enjoy.Dirty Mary Crazy Larry is just very well.There is no music in the movie, but it's not all bad.The Acting is great, With a great group of Actors and Actresses.The story is great, and it's just very well done.I like all of the cars that are in Dirty Mary Crazy Larry.Overall if you are looking for a rare and classic movie, then you just can't go wrong here.I give Dirty Mary Crazy Larry 8 out of 10.Classic Movie
O.K., O.K., folks...
posted on 15 Jul 2008Let's remember why we like to watch movies like this. It's not for the acting (sucks). It's not for the plot (sucks). It's for the star of the movie - that gorgeous Dodge Charger muscle car. I came of age in the 70's and was never a "car buff", but that Charger raises my testosterone level.In an age when car manufacturers use more and more plastic and less and less steel in the supposed interests of safety and fuel economy, these muscle cars stand out. DMCL's Charger screams excitement. You can SMELL the exhaust! You can SMELL the burning rubber! One look at that sleek profile and that aircraft carrier hood and you know the thing's gotta weigh a ton.
Fun car chase movie
posted on 30 Jun 2008Larry (Peter Fonda) is a wannabee Nascar driver, he has the potential but not the finance to get in to it professionally, along with his friend and mechanic Deke Sommers, they decide the only way to get the money is to steal it, their plan to rob a large convenience store on pay day, is worked out to the Nth degree but they hadn't counted on Mary,(Susan George) Larry's one night stand from the previous night getting involved, her presence changes their fate and thus begins a high speed chase across the state. British Horror maestro John Hough, was perhaps a strange choice for this all American film, but you'd never know as he succeeds in being faithful to its roots. Low budget it might be, but all the stunts are real, and this adds a wonderful realistic energy to proceedings, the pace never lets up, it's a film of its time that puts dreck like Death Proof to shame, its high octane agenda doesn't however for one moment ignore character development, we get to know the three main characters very well in such a short space of time that we do actually care what happens to them, their ultimate fate providing the ultimate irony.Fans of Vanishing Point and Race with the Devil should love this equally.
This film hits the spot.
posted on 25 Apr 2008I love this film. Peter Fonda knew exactly the role he had to play in this road movie and played it brilliantly. It's a simple tale but it left a lasting impression on me when I first saw it as a young teenager. Film critics all too often get a bit bogged down in silly self indulgent intellectualisms about this genre and its lack of character development and plot etc. etc. (Yawn!!) without seeing the big picture. I watch films to be entertained and this film hits the spot. The best ending to any film in movie history.
"Dirty" And "Crazy" is right!
posted on 20 Mar 2008"Dirty Mary Crazy Larry" is lots of fun because the movie has this nonchalant attitude towards its deliciously amoral main characters that is very endearing. Ex-race driver Peter Fonda and pal Adam Roarke steal a stack of money. Susan George is the floozy these guys get stuck with, and Vic Morrow is the sheriff who is obsessed with capturing the "bad guys." It is similar to the later (and more popular) "Smokey and the Bandit," but here the film's rough edges put it outside the mainstream market. The ending is quite mean-spirited which is often a trademark of independently produced films. Not much happens in the film (it seems to be just one long car chase interrupted by funny vignettes), but its nonstop action sequences and likable quirky characters keep the movie entertaining. The film forces you to identify with the criminals, not the law enforcers, but this is typical of most movies from the '70s. It is the kind of movie that has little substance but it's filled with plenty of enthusiasm. It has become some sort of cult classic and I can clearly see why. I liked the song "Time Is Such a Funny Thing." Fast paced and very funny.
Fast Cars and Cheating Death
posted on 28 Oct 2007This is a great car chase movie. Plenty of high speed and crazy, death defying moves. The story line is hard to follow so don't bother to try just kick back and enjoy the ride. My favorite character is Captain Franklin played by Vic Morrow. He is the unconventional cop who is willing to risk it all to catch the bad guys. If you like this movie you might also enjoy Bullitt another flick that features a story line that is hard to follow (so fuggedabout it) and some excellent car chase scenes. If you are looking for a deeper message then look somewhere else. If you want to enjoy watching cars hurl around rural central California in the mid-70s then this flick is a must see. You can catch it on TV at least once a month. This movie is a solid 7.
A character study mixed with car chases
posted on 31 May 2007I'm a fan of Peter Fonda and this is my favorite movie of his. Even though it's intended as a car chase film, it's also a character study involving the three main characters: Larry, Mary, and Deke. Peter Fonda is Larry, a ruthless, nothing-to-lose guy who drives like Richard Petty. Susan George is Mary, a young woman who had a one-night-stand with Larry the night before. And the interesting character, Deke, an often moody, slow-witted loner. The car chases are also great since they're actually real, unlike other '70s chase films. Also Vic Morrow appears in the film as the bird-dogging sheriff who tries to catch them every step of the way. The ending might shock everyone since it's so abrupt. A sequel would've been interesting to see, but there was probably no interest in it. Get the Special Edition DVD if you can find it, it's jam-packed with really enjoyable extras!
Buckle Up for a Wild Ride!
posted on 02 Mar 2007If entertaining car chase movies with a plot are your thing, then check out "Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry!"In what could have easily been a mindless action film, director John Hough delivers a fast paced, exciting, and surprisingly entertaining film. Peter Fonda is Larry Rayder, a down and almost out race car driver with dreams of driving in the big-time NASCAR circuit. Along with his mechanic, Deke Sommers (played by Adam Roarke, who turns in the only standout performance of the film as a man dealing with his past, but looking to the future), they rob a supermarket to finance their dreams, and make a run to escape with the loot.Along the way, they are blackmailed by fast and sexy Mary Coombs (a curvy Susan George, who does a great job hiding her British accent), who insists that they take her along for the ride. In their race for freedom, they evade an entire division of Highway Patrol cars, and tough as nails sherriff Vic Morrow, in their 440-powered 1969 Dodge Charger, only to face their destiny on the brink of their success!"Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry" is THE blueprint for all car-chase movies to follow, most notably 'Smokey and the Bandit," and the cult-TV show "The Dukes of Hazzard." Unfortunately, the film is nowhere to be found on video, but it is definitely a "must see!"
Made when men were men and cars were cars!
posted on 01 Jul 2009Great classic action movie, loved it when I saw it at the movies in '74, My son loves it on video today. Funny thing; every police car that got crashed, they showed that no one was hurt in the movie. They did not have any of the nasty, hateful, blood and guts that they put into the movies today. Lets hope they never try and make a re make with computer graphics, drugs, and hair wax or gel, in a Nissan Skyline with a blow off valve, or something cheap and plastic like that. (Like the re make of "Gone in 60 seconds" or "The Dukes of Hazzard" where they have the good old Duke boys taking drugs!) Susan George was a gorgeous hunk, she was so easy on the eyes, The Dodge Charger was an absolute classic, the chases and the driving shots were terrific to watch. It did not matter that the story was not that great, it was written as a car chase stunt movie and it still is one of the greatest of all time "Bloke Movies". Sometimes when I watch it on video I change the ending:- I stop the movie when Larry says "Nothing can stop us now". I prefer my alternative ending! They get away.