Eat My Dust

Ron Howard (fresh off of Happy Days) was offered a two-picture deal with producer Roger Corman for New World Pictures, Howard agreed only if his next film would be a film he would direct himself and the deal was made.

The movie itself is a standard low-brow car chase comedy and often too silly, but the script and direction by Charles Griffith is pretty good. The cinematography catches the car sequences impressively and the acting is good throughout, particularly by Warren Kemmerling as the cranky local sheriff.

"Eat My Dust" was one of producer Roger Corman's biggest hits. Seeing the movie today, most likely you will wonder why. To be sure, top-billed star Ron Howard is a likable actor, but he doesn't get that much of a chance to shine in a movie that's basically centered around one big chase. Speaking of characters, the lead female character is so stuck up and snotty you will wonder why Howard's character is attracted to her. And I'm sure even younger viewers will question how the youths in the movie think that all the destruction they cause is hilarious. I am sure some viewers will dismiss these charges, thinking that they will still get plenty of entertainment from the many, many car chase sequences. Think again. Most of the time, the cars involved in the chase don't seem to be travelling at top speed, and the movie keeps cutting to the idiot sheriff and his dim-witted helpers in sequences that contain no laughs. This movie isn't aggressively bad, but it's flat and unmemorable.

This is merely another one of those many 70s car-chase films. It's fun & mindless and features some beautiful rural California locations. Plus, how can you go wrong with the likable Ron Howard?

The film was a box-office success for producer Roger Corman, which naturally led to the demand for a sequel. But Ron Howard didn't want money to perform in the sequel, he just wanted the opportunity to write and direct it (not to mention act in it). Thus came the hugely popular "Grand Theft Auto," Howard's first REAL stab at directing. The rest is history.

This flick is merely okay, nothing special; what makes it worth purchasing for any red-blooded male is the supremely gorgeous Christopher Norris (yeah, it's a woman not a man). She's got some incredible God-given curves, to say the least, and she shows them off well in her skimpy hot-pants!

Of course, if you're a "Brokeback Mountain" fan there's always Ron Howard.

"Eat My Dust" is a broad, cartoony action comedy from the Roger Corman hit factory. Just one of a number of car chase / car crash movies he made during this period, it stars ever likable Ron Howard, at the height of his 'Happy Days' fame. Ron plays Hoover Niebold, a young man who's determined to impress a sexy rich girl, Darlene Kurtz (luscious blonde Christopher Norris). So he steals "Mabel", the prized vehicle of race car driver Big Bubba Jones (Dave Madden of 'The Partridge Family'). He, Darlene, and his entourage (including Rons' younger brother Clint) then partake in an epic pursuit that takes up most of the hour and a half long run time.

People who love high speeds, lots of energy, impressive camera work, and grand scale vehicular mayhem are certain to have a fine time with this one. It's not for you if you're looking for depth, meaning, character development, and a really meaty story. Fortunately, writer / director Charles B. Griffith, a longtime Corman collaborator, knows how to satisfy the target audience, and gives "Eat My Dust" quite a bit of humor as well. It definitely has a chaotic feel to it at times, and characters often don't so much speak their dialogue as yell it. David Grisman composed the infectious, flavorful music score, serving as the perfect accompaniment. The stunt work is first rate, with Barbara Peeters ("Humanoids from the Deep") and the second unit giving it 100% percent.

Many of the performances are appropriately broad. With so many of the adult characters coming off as boobs, it's not too hard to root for Hoover and company. Warren J. Kemmerling plays Hoovers' lawman father, and there's a fair amount of familiar faces among the supporting cast: Brad David, Peter Isacksen, Rons' actor father Rance (as one of the deputies), Paul Bartel, Corbin Bernsen (as a slow witted gas station attendant), and Beach Dickerson. Ron is as engaging as he's ever been, and Norris is tantalizing as the object of his lust.

Overall, "Eat My Dust" is good of its type.

Seven out of 10.

Hoover Niebold (Ron Howard) is a car-nerd, and a prankster with his friends. His daddy is the law. They're at the car race. Snooty hot girl Darlene Kurtz is willing to ride with him if only he gets the red race car. So he steals the car and they go on a joy ride.

Ron Howard wanted to direct his own movie and Roger Corman required him to star in this movie before giving him his directorial debut, Grand Theft Auto (1977). This is a thin script. I don't particularly care about any of these characters. Ron Howard is still a good lead. The rest can be left behind. There are some fun car action but that's the only good aspect. It's a B-movie with a named actor.