The Car (1977)

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Exploring 'The Car' - A 1977 Horror Film With a Killer Ride, Iconic Cast, and Lasting Impact on the Genre

In the world of 1970s horror films, “The Car” stands out with a chilling and unique twist. Not the least of which is that a lot of the seemingly non-stop terror by The Car takes place in full daylight conforming with everyone’s standard work day. Props to the malignant force driving The Car for trying to conveniently menace the townspeople while conforming to the 9-5 schedule that most people are used to. Although there is a slight goof in the movie where during a chase scene it seems that it is occurring alternately during the day and at night. How’s that for the supernatural?

​Directed by Elliot Silverstein (Cat Ballou), this 1977 horror gem introduces a demonic vehicle that terrorizes a small town. It’s not just the unsettling premise that makes this film memorable; the performances from a deep cast of film and TV vets, many with strong horror creds, including James Brolin (Amityville Horror), Kathleen Lloyd (every TV show from the 80s through the 90s), R.G. Armstrong (Children Of The Corn), Ronny Cox (Robo Cop), John Marley (The Godfather), Kim Richards (Escape To Witch Mountain) and her twin sister Kyle Richards (Halloween) elevate it into the hearts of horror fans.

GET THE CAR ON BLU-RAY HERE...

 

The menacing and terrifying car itself acts as a character, stalking residents of a dusty Utah desert town. Let’s explore this cult classic further by looking at its remarkable cast, its cultural impact, and its enduring place within the realm of B-rate horror films.

The Talent Behind the Wheel: An Iconic Cast

At the heart of “The Car” is James Brolin, portraying Sheriff Wade Parent. Brolin, recognized for his charisma and strong performances, gives an impactful portrayal of a lawman confronting inexplicable terror. He embodies a mixture of bravery and vulnerability, captivating audiences as he battles the supernatural threat and finds time to perform the Jimmy Rogers penned main title theme, "Mule Skinner Blues." A song that fans of country music will remember as popularized by Dolly Parton in 1970 and earning her a Grammy nomination. 

Check out a duet rendition by Dolly Parton & Smokey Robinson here… Mule Skinner Blues

 

​The sheriff’s love interest is Kathleen Lloyd as Lauren Humphries. Perhaps not a name that you will recall, but if you were a watcher of TV in the 70s & 80s, you will certainly recognize her face. A glance at her IMDB indicates appearances in what would seem like every TV show made in that period. The standout being appearances in 21 episodes of Magnum PI. She plays the classic tough and gritty girlfriend in The Car to the point where in one scene she defies the evil gas guzzler with the lines, “Well, come on, come on, get outta your car, huh? Let us all see what a lunatic son of a bitch you are! Come on, crawl out! I'll let you crawl out! Oh, I got your story now! I see! As long as you're in your car, you're big, and you're bad! Come on, let me tell you something, buddy. You know what you are? A chicken! You're a chickenshit! Scum of the Earth, son of a bitch!” Feisty to say the least.

The best line in the movie, however goes to the revered R.G. Armstrong as the, I never met a fifth of booze that came in a plastic bottle that I didn’t like, Amos Clements. His critique of a french horn performance went as follows, “And if I hear another sound out of that thing, I'll ram it so far up your ass, you'll be farting music for a year.” His film and television filmography is extensive and I haven’t run the numbers so don’t quote me, but it’s possible that Armstrong may hold the record for playing a sheriff. Ironically, The Car wasn’t his only foray into the car chase film genre as he appeared alongside Peter Fonda in the 1973 flick, Race With The Devil. A concurrent fact is that Peter wasn’t the only Fonda he made a movie with. He was in the Henry Fonda 1973 spaghetti western, “My Name Is Nobody”. Among his 184 acting credits there are so many horror and sci-fi appearances that in 2003 he received the Fright Fest Lifetime Achievement Award. And should the overall excitement level in your life ever dip to the levels that mine is currently at you might find yourself reviewing the filmography of actors like Armstrong. Actors that seemingly appeared in everything, turned in solid performances, flirted with critical success, but you wouldn’t be able to name if there was a gun at your head. The Car’s cast is chock full of actors such as this.

​Director Elliot Silverstein, known for other works such as "A Man Called Horse," brought his creative vision to this project. He managed to create a sense of dread using practical effects and clever cinematography, making the car itself a formidable antagonist. His mastery of suspense draws viewers into the exhilarating struggle between the sheriff and the terrifying vehicle. Moreover, Silverstein's decision to utilize real-life locations instead of gimmicky sets enhances the film's realism, pulling viewers deeper into its nightmarish scenarios. The juxtaposition of ordinary life and unexplainable horror heightens the impact of each chilling moment. Silverstein balances the horror with surreal moments, building tension with each rev of the engine. Although the film did not receive wide acclaim upon its release, it has since gained a following, partly due to his distinct directorial style. It’s also worth noting that the film also benefits from an eerie score that heightens tension, especially during its high-stakes scenes.

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