Charge of the Model T's is a 1977 American comedy spy film directed by Jim McCullough Sr. with the screenplay by Jim McCullough Jr. based upon the novel of the same name by Lee Somerville. Starring John David Carson, Carol Bagdasarian, Louis Nye, Herb Edelman, and Arte Johnson.
| Charge of the Model T's | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical poster | |
| Directed by | Jim McCullough Sr. |
| Screenplay by | Jim McCullough Jr. |
| Based on | Charge of the model T's (novel) by Lee Somerville |
| Produced by |
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| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Dean Cundey |
| Edited by | Robert Gordon |
| Music by | Euel Box |
Production company | Jim McCullough Productions |
| Distributed by | Rye-Mac Film Distribution |
Release date |
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Running time | 90 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
The final film of vaudevillian and actor George Mann,[1] the project was shot on locations in Texas[2] and in the Wichita Mountains region of Oklahoma near Lawton and Cache,[3] and was distributed by MGM.[4]
The film had both theatrical and television airings and, paired with The Switch, was released on DVD by VCI Entertainment on March 13, 2007.[5]
Plot
editDuring World War I, the Germans try to disrupt American war efforts by encouraging Mexican guerrillas to destabilize the Texas border with Mexico. Masterminding the German plot is spy Friedrich Schmidt. As the border become disrupted, Friedrich drives into the United States at the wheel of the high-speed secret weapon: the "RX4", a Ford Model T equipped with armor and weaponry and tricked out with a powerful motor. US Army Lieutenant Matthew Jones pursues Schmidt with a fleet of special trackers.
Principal cast
edit- John David Carson as Lt. Matthew Jones
- Carol Bagdasarian as Coral Adams
- Louis Nye as Friedrich Schmidt
- Herb Edelman as Villa Nueva
- Arte Johnson as Doc Bailey
- John Doucette as Capt. Mundy
- Louisa Moritz as Hilda
- Terry Wilson as Stonewall Adams
- Pedro Gonzalez Gonzalez as Sanchez
- George Mann as Rancher
- Jim McCullough Jr. as Pvt. Hansen
- Bill Thurman as Sgt. Bond
- Marged Wakeley as Martha Adams
- Roy Tatum as Juan
- John P. Fertitta as Little Cloud
- Lloyd Slagle as Dutch Braun
- Robert Hulley as Sheriff
- Lou Schilling as Blacksmith
Reception
editThe Evening Independent panned the film, making note that as the film was a "dull contrivance", G-rated did not stand for "good".[6]
References
edit- ^ Crawford, James William (18 July 1976). "This Business Is Based On Constant Rejection". The Lawton Constitution. pp. 1-D & 50-D. Retrieved 13 January 2015.
- ^ Moorhead, Jim (18 November 1976). "Slips And Foibles His Bread 'n Butter". The Evening Independent. Retrieved 13 January 2015.
- ^ Wooley, John (2011). Shot in Oklahoma: A Century of Sooner State Cinema. University of Oklahoma Press. ISBN 978-0806184098. Retrieved 13 January 2015.
- ^ Kristie Hassen (2014). "Charge of the Model T's". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. Archived from the original on 2014-02-28.
- ^ staff. "Charge of the Model T's / The Switch". oldies.com. Retrieved 13 January 2015.
- ^ Moorhead, Jim (24 November 1977). "Speaking Of Turkeys, Miss These Movies". The Evening Independent. Retrieved 13 January 2015.
Further reading
edit- Rhodes, Gary D. (2011). "Early Cinema and Oklahoma". The Chronicles of Oklahoma. 89 (4 - Winter 2011-12). Oklahoma Historical Society: 388–429. LCCN 23027299. OCLC 655582328.