By Robert Emslie
You might think that after The Cannonball Run, the Gumball Rally, and a slew of other cross-country mad dash movies, that by the late ’80s the genre would have been played out. You would be only half right in that assessment. There will always be an opportunity for celebrity-studded car chase movies, and there are a slew of B-celebs to fill them once all the top-talent has already had a turn behind the wheel. Released in 1989, Speed Zone is one of those crazy car race movies – perhaps the last one to date – and it is notable for a number of reasons. First off, it stars not has-beens or wannabes, but a good part of Canada’s SCTV cast, including John freakin’ Candy! It also has Donna Dixon and Brooke Shields if you’re into ’80s actresses or big hair. Finally, it features Jamie Farr (Klinger from the TV show, M.A.S.H.) as an Arab former racer, making Farr notable for appearing in all three of the titans of this genre. As far as cars go, Speed Zone – which was later renamed Cannonball Fever – features a fake Countach, a Jag XJS, E32 BMW 7 Series, and a jet aircraft that has trouble with an overpass. Siskel & Ebert gave the film two thumbs down with Siskel calling it “so venal it doesn’t even try to be good.” You can judge for yourself by watching the trailer right after the jump.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4Z-HjKHf_w[/youtube]
Since today is Labor Day here in the U.S., and many of you have the day off, how about watching the whole movie, which you can do right here.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoHXsuBEAts[/youtube]
Source: YouTube
Jeff Glucker