I remember the first time I saw this one. My parents piled us kids into the car to catch it at the Foster Road Drive-In (which, of course, ain't there anymore), part of a double-bill with some other car chase flick. While not much of either movie registered much in my mind at the time (I was more concerned with playing on the swing-sets located just below the massive screen), one scene that truly remained indelibly burned in my memory was the ending. So as not to risk spoiling the outcome for anyone who hasn't seen "Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry," I'll just say that, for a kid previously weaned on good-time, wholesome Disney fare, I was stunned. That last lingering image haunted me long after the movie was over and we went home. That ending is probably the main thing which separates "Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry" many of its 70s car-chase contemporaries. The movie was made just before the genre degenerated into good ol' boy yuk-fests, when it was possible to get away with an ending like that (which probably owes just a bit to "Bonnie & Clyde"). The movie is your standard low budget root-for-the-anti-hero crash-fest, right up 'till that horrific climax, which alone probably permanently elevated the film to cult status. It came unexpected, and threw kids like me for a loop.

Looking back at it now (which Anchor Bay provides a truly great opportunity to do with this DVD release), there isn't all that much remarkable about the movie. Peter Fonda plays Larry, a cock-sure former NASCAR driver who dreams of getting back in the big leagues with brooding mechanic Deke (Adam Roarke) in tow. They plan a daring supermarket robbery in order to afford a car that'll make them competitive. Things would have gone off perfectly if it weren't for Mary (Susan George), a racing groupie who insinuates herself on their plans. Having no choice but to take her along, the three try to outwit obsessive cop Franklin (Vic Morrow), who conducts a massive chase in order to catch them. Of course, the chase is the sole reason for this film's existence, and it's a pretty good one, with terrifically choreographed stunt driving. After a fairly slow start, the last half of the movie is a supreme exercise in from-the-hip action filmmaking, featuring a few pretty astounding chase scenes (particularly the climactic helicopter pursuit). There's also more character exposition than a movie like this probably needs, but it does payoff with the aforementioned climax. As Larry, Peter Fonda is required to do little but be Peter Fonda, the very definition of counter-culture cool. Susan George is slightly annoying as Mary, but she looks hot in a trailer-trash sort of way, and by the end, we probably empathize more with her character than anyone else's. Then there's that ending, that single scene which makes the whole movie worth watching. No, it ain't all that original (downbeat endings have been a movie staple since the 60s), but it IS unexpected, and fairly brave, considering the sequel possibilities. Even now, long after I'm able to assess the movie as the exploitative trash that it is (albeit well done trash), the film manages to goad us in to liking these anti-heroes enough so the climax is the cinematic equivalent to a sucker-punch.

Either there's a kindred spirit or an evil twin at Anchor Bay, because SOMEBODY over there has the same affection for 70's movies as I do. This is a great transfer. The video image of this DVD looks at least as good as it did when I first saw it at the drive-in in the 70s, with sharp lines & no real grain or scratches. The audio transfer is just as good, rendered in 5.1 & 2.0 Dolby Surround, as well as the original mono track.

That same Anchor Bay evil twin has put together a selection of extras that are likely to satisfy any fan of this movie. Director John Hough is featured in a terrific full length audio commentary, moderated by Anchor Bay DVD producer Perry Martin. Nearly as good is the 30 minute documentary, "Ride The Wild Side," which features comments & anecdotes by Fonda, George & Hough; only Fonda seems to appreciate the movie for the trash that it is, while George tries in vain to attach some higher significance, pretentiously discussing her motivations in portraying Mary (even though it's the worst performance in the movie). Other features include trailers, a poster & still gallery, an animated commercial for the 1969 Charger (which the character use in the movie) & cast & crew bios.

"Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry" is indicative of the car-chase flicks which permeated drive-ins during the 70s, but it's one of the better ones, mainly because it has the balls to confound the expectations of the viewers. The movie hasn't aged all that well, and is little more than well-made B-movie trash, but it is still a fun ride, and those of us blown away by the ending will find a lot to love with this Anchor Bay release. Similar Movies: "Vanishing Point"; "Two-Lane Blacktop"