Smoking Bandit

Smokey and the Bandit: A 1970s Classic with Star-Studded Cast

The Bandit and His Team

Smokey and the Bandit is a 1977 American action comedy film that stars Burt Reynolds, Sally Field, Jackie Gleason, Jerry Reed, and Pat McCormick. The film follows the story of "The Bandit" Bo Darville, played by Reynolds, who is hired to run a truckload of beer from Texas to Georgia. Field plays Carrie, the bride-to-be who tags along for the ride, and Gleason plays Sheriff Buford T. Justice, who is hot on their tail.

Star-Studded Cast

The film's cast is packed with iconic stars and future legends of the big screen. Reynolds was at the peak of his career, having just starred in a string of successful films including Deliverance and The Longest Yard. Field was a rising star, having recently starred in Sybil and The Way We Were. Gleason was a legendary comedian and character actor, known for his work in The Honeymooners and Gigot.

Jerry Reed, who plays Cledus "Snowman" Snow, was a country music singer and songwriter who also had a successful acting career. Pat McCormick, who plays Big Enos Burdette, was a character actor who appeared in numerous films and television shows.

East Bound and Down

Smokey and the Bandit is famous for its high-octane car chases and Reynolds' iconic "East Bound and Down" song. The film was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $126 million at the box office. It is considered a classic of the 1970s comedy genre and has been parodied and referenced in numerous other films and television shows.