Used Cars

It’s high time I pay tribute to one of my favorite actors. Action, comedy, drama, this guy can do it all. Versatile and steady, Kurt Russell has been kicking ass in Hollywood since he was 6 years old. His impressive list of credits includes Escape from New York, The Thing, Silkwood, Big Trouble in Little China, Backdraft, and Tombstone. One of his first big screen successes was Used Cars, a legit gut-buster set in the shady world of automobile sales. Grab your popcorn and enjoy the ribald antics of this sleazy gang of shysters who sell cars for a living.

Russell plays Rudy Russo, a hack used car salesman who dreams of becoming a state Senator. To buy his way into the race Rudy needs $10,000, so he approaches his boss Luke Fuchs. Luke agrees to loan Rudy the cash, but Luke’s untimely death at the hands of his brother Roy leaves Rudy in a lurch. Roy, who owns the competing car lot across the street, needs the deed to Luke’s property to take advantage of a new interstate highway being constructed. To ensure Roy doesn’t take over, Rudy and his car lot cronies conceal Luke’s condition.

Rudy still lacks funds for his Senatorial run so he and his pals devise a series of schemes to drum up business. Illegal television commercials, topless women, and a dog who plays dead are just a few of the methods utilized. The unexpected arrival of Luke’s daughter Barbara tosses a monkey wrench in Rudy’s plans. Rudy falls for Barbara but can’t bring himself to tell the truth about her father. Meanwhile, a suspicious Roy amps up his efforts to take control of his brother’s land. Rudy’s dishonest behavior soon lands himself and the lot in a heap of trouble. In order to save the business and his relationship with Barbara, Rudy must lead a mad-dash of 250 cars back to the lot before a judge turns it over to the devious Roy.

Used Cars1

Before he became one of Hollywood’s top whiz-kids Robert Zemeckis directed and co-wrote this comedy classic. In the tradition of Animal House and Caddyshack, Used Cars fires an unabashed shotgun blast at one of America’s most duplicitous professions. Gratuitous nudity, foul language and a bevy of politically incorrect references place this joyous romp among the best comedies I’ve ever seen. Russell is perfect playing the morally challenged Rudy and he gets stellar support from Jack Warden, Gerrit Graham, Frank McRae, and a beagle named Peanuts. If you missed out on Used Cars until now do yourself a favor and see this raucous laugher.

The trailer for Used Cars: