Moonrunners
Encyclopedia
Moonrunners is a 1975 film starring James Mitchum
, and the precursor to The Dukes of Hazzard
television series. Mitchum had co-starred with his famous father, Robert Mitchum
, in the similar drive-in
favorite Thunder Road
eighteen years earlier, which also focused upon moonshine
-running bootleggers
eluding federal agents with fast cars.
The film was written and directed by Gy Waldron, based on the life and stories of Jerry Rushing
. It is listed in the book The Greatest Movie Car Chases of All Time.
), who introduces and comments on the story of cousins, Grady and Bobby Lee Hagg, who run bootleg liquor for their Uncle Jesse of Shiloh County.
Uncle Jesse is a Baptist
, who knows the Bible better than the local preacher. He has been a widower since Aunt Libby died ten years ago. He still makes liquor, according to his "granddaddy's granddaddy's" recipe, in still
s named Molly and Beulah. Every drop is aged two years, and bottled in glass (never plastic). The Haggs have been making their recipe since before the Revolutionary War, and Jesse only sells to a friend in nearby Florence to ensure that his liquor is never blended with any other.
Bobby Lee (also called just Lee) is a smart-mouthed schemer, named for the Confederate general
. In the opening, Bobby Lee gets tossed in the Pikkens County jail for a bar fight at the Boar's Nest
. On his way home he helps out Beth Ann Eubanks, who is on the run from family trouble in Mississippi. Uncle Jesse takes her in, and Lee courts her.
Grady is a laconic "Romeo" who drives their stockcar
(#54, named Traveler
after General Lee
's horse). It is briefly mentioned that Grady probably has a number of kids around Shiloh and Tennessee (In the pilot episode of The Dukes of Hazzard
, "One Armed Bandits", Bo half-jokes when he comments that half of the children in the local orphanage could be cousin Luke's, though this concept was quickly dropped).
The cousins take Beth to the next race at the local track. The other stockcar drivers include good ol' boy Zeebo, and Zeebo's lackey Cooter Pettigrew
. Zeebo (driving #31) and Cooter (driving #28) team-up to beat Grady in the race, leading to a moonlit bootlegger road race between Bobby Lee and Zeebo.
The county boss is Jake Rainey, a friend of Jesse's from the old days (they both bootlegged for Jesse's father in 1934), who owns the local bar/brothel. Jake has control of all the other moonshine in the county, and sells it to the New York Syndicate (mob). He needs Jesse's supply to fill an order, but Jesse will not sell to Jake since Jake would mix it with lesser quality liquor.
To get at Jesse’s supply, Jake uses Sheriff Rosco Coltrane
, to harass the cousins. At the same time he uses Zeebo, and Reba (Jake’s wife who is having an affair with Grady) to goad the boys into a trap. During these events, Uncle Jesse calls Jake “hog” (making Jake “Boss Hogg”) as a put-down. In later retaliation, the cousins use a bow with explosive arrows since they are on probation, and cannot own guns.
with little or no alteration.
Other names or roles were altered, while still keeping recognizable connections.
Actors who appeared in Moonrunners and The Dukes of Hazzard
and Haralson, Georgia
. Many of the original filming locations have changed significantly since the film was produced. A comprehensive photo journal of filming locations as they exist now is part of the Hazzard County Car Club's website.
James Mitchum
James Mitchum is the oldest son of actor Robert Mitchum and bears a striking resemblance to his famous father. He inherited his father's sleepy eyes and taciturn good looks. The comparison both helped and hurt his career. He had a child with actress Wende Wagner to whom he was formerly married. Ms...
, and the precursor to The Dukes of Hazzard
The Dukes of Hazzard
The Dukes of Hazzard is an American television series that aired on the CBS television network from 1979 to 1985.The series was inspired by the 1975 film Moonrunners, which was also created by Gy Waldron and had many identical or similar character names and concepts.- Overview :The Dukes of Hazzard...
television series. Mitchum had co-starred with his famous father, Robert Mitchum
Robert Mitchum
Robert Charles Durman Mitchum was an American film actor, author, composer and singer and is #23 on the American Film Institute's list of the greatest male American screen legends of all time...
, in the similar drive-in
Drive-in
A drive-in is a facility such as a bank, restaurant, or movie theater where one can literally drive in with an automobile for service. It is usually distinguished from a drive-through. At a drive-in restaurant, for example, customers park their vehicles and are usually served by staff who walk out...
favorite Thunder Road
Thunder Road
Thunder Road is the title of a 1958 drama–crime film about running moonshine in the mountains of Kentucky and Tennessee in the early 1950s. It was directed by Arthur Ripley and starred Robert Mitchum, who also produced the film, co-wrote the screenplay, and is rumored to have directed much of the...
eighteen years earlier, which also focused upon moonshine
Moonshine
Moonshine is an illegally produced distilled beverage...
-running bootleggers
Rum-running
Rum-running, also known as bootlegging, is the illegal business of transporting alcoholic beverages where such transportation is forbidden by law...
eluding federal agents with fast cars.
The film was written and directed by Gy Waldron, based on the life and stories of Jerry Rushing
Jerry Rushing
Jerry Elijah Rushing is an American best known for his years as a bootlegger or "moonrunner" .Rushing was born into a family business making illegal whiskey...
. It is listed in the book The Greatest Movie Car Chases of All Time.
Plot
The story is narrated by the Balladeer (Waylon JenningsWaylon Jennings
Waylon Arnold Jennings was an American country music singer, songwriter, and musician. Jennings began playing at eight. He began performing at twelve, on KVOW radio. Jennings formed a band The Texas Longhorns. Jennings worked as a D.J on KVOW, KDAV and KLLL...
), who introduces and comments on the story of cousins, Grady and Bobby Lee Hagg, who run bootleg liquor for their Uncle Jesse of Shiloh County.
Uncle Jesse is a Baptist
Baptist
Baptists comprise a group of Christian denominations and churches that subscribe to a doctrine that baptism should be performed only for professing believers , and that it must be done by immersion...
, who knows the Bible better than the local preacher. He has been a widower since Aunt Libby died ten years ago. He still makes liquor, according to his "granddaddy's granddaddy's" recipe, in still
Still
A still is a permanent apparatus used to distill miscible or immiscible liquid mixtures by heating to selectively boil and then cooling to condense the vapor...
s named Molly and Beulah. Every drop is aged two years, and bottled in glass (never plastic). The Haggs have been making their recipe since before the Revolutionary War, and Jesse only sells to a friend in nearby Florence to ensure that his liquor is never blended with any other.
Bobby Lee (also called just Lee) is a smart-mouthed schemer, named for the Confederate general
Robert E. Lee
Robert Edward Lee was a career military officer who is best known for having commanded the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia in the American Civil War....
. In the opening, Bobby Lee gets tossed in the Pikkens County jail for a bar fight at the Boar's Nest
Boar's Nest
The Boar's Nest is the local restaurant and watering hole in the television series, The Dukes of Hazzard.It is the oldest establishment in Hazzard County, and is owned by Boss Hogg. It is the main social gathering place for the Duke family—cousins Bo, Luke and Daisy, and their Uncle Jesse—and their...
. On his way home he helps out Beth Ann Eubanks, who is on the run from family trouble in Mississippi. Uncle Jesse takes her in, and Lee courts her.
Grady is a laconic "Romeo" who drives their stockcar
Stock car racing
Stock car racing is a form of automobile racing found mainly in the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Great Britain, Brazil and Argentina. Traditionally, races are run on oval tracks measuring approximately in length...
(#54, named Traveler
Traveller (horse)
Traveller was Confederate General Robert E. Lee's most famous horse during the American Civil War.-Birth and war service:...
after General Lee
Robert E. Lee
Robert Edward Lee was a career military officer who is best known for having commanded the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia in the American Civil War....
's horse). It is briefly mentioned that Grady probably has a number of kids around Shiloh and Tennessee (In the pilot episode of The Dukes of Hazzard
The Dukes of Hazzard
The Dukes of Hazzard is an American television series that aired on the CBS television network from 1979 to 1985.The series was inspired by the 1975 film Moonrunners, which was also created by Gy Waldron and had many identical or similar character names and concepts.- Overview :The Dukes of Hazzard...
, "One Armed Bandits", Bo half-jokes when he comments that half of the children in the local orphanage could be cousin Luke's, though this concept was quickly dropped).
The cousins take Beth to the next race at the local track. The other stockcar drivers include good ol' boy Zeebo, and Zeebo's lackey Cooter Pettigrew
Cooter Davenport
Cooter Davenport is a fictional character from the American TV show The Dukes of Hazzard. He was played by Ben Jones.Cooter was the mechanic in the fictional Hazzard County, in Georgia. He owned The Hazzard County Garage in Hazzard County Square, directly across from the Police Department and the...
. Zeebo (driving #31) and Cooter (driving #28) team-up to beat Grady in the race, leading to a moonlit bootlegger road race between Bobby Lee and Zeebo.
The county boss is Jake Rainey, a friend of Jesse's from the old days (they both bootlegged for Jesse's father in 1934), who owns the local bar/brothel. Jake has control of all the other moonshine in the county, and sells it to the New York Syndicate (mob). He needs Jesse's supply to fill an order, but Jesse will not sell to Jake since Jake would mix it with lesser quality liquor.
To get at Jesse’s supply, Jake uses Sheriff Rosco Coltrane
Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane
On the American TV series The Dukes of Hazzard, Rosco Purvis Coltrane is the bumbling sheriff of Hazzard County and right-hand man of its corrupt county commissioner, Jefferson Davis "J.D." Hogg ....
, to harass the cousins. At the same time he uses Zeebo, and Reba (Jake’s wife who is having an affair with Grady) to goad the boys into a trap. During these events, Uncle Jesse calls Jake “hog” (making Jake “Boss Hogg”) as a put-down. In later retaliation, the cousins use a bow with explosive arrows since they are on probation, and cannot own guns.
Cast
- James MitchumJames MitchumJames Mitchum is the oldest son of actor Robert Mitchum and bears a striking resemblance to his famous father. He inherited his father's sleepy eyes and taciturn good looks. The comparison both helped and hurt his career. He had a child with actress Wende Wagner to whom he was formerly married. Ms...
as Grady Hagg - Kiel MartinKiel MartinKiel Urban Mueller , professionally known as Kiel Martin, was an American actor best known for his role as lovable rogue Detective John "J.D." La Rue on the 1980s television drama Hill Street Blues.Martin was married twice, first to Claudia Martin , who was actor/crooner Dean...
as Bobby Lee Hagg - Arthur HunnicuttArthur HunnicuttArthur Lee Hunnicutt was an American actor known for his portrayal of wise, grizzled, old rural characters...
as Uncle Jesse Hagg - Chris Forbes as Beth Ann Eubanks
- George Ellis as Jake RaineyBoss HoggJefferson Davis "J.D." Hogg, better known as "Boss" Hogg, is a fictional character featured in the American television series The Dukes of Hazzard. He was the greedy, unethical commissioner of Hazzard County. A stereotypical villainous glutton, Boss Hogg always wore an all-white suit with a white...
- Pete Munro as Zeebo
- Joan BlackmanJoan BlackmanJoan Blackman is an American actress.-Biography:Blackman made her television acting debut as a guest performer in a 1957 series, Hawkeye and the Last of the Mohicans, and then appeared in her first motion picture, Good Day for a Hanging, in 1959. She had a significant role in two Elvis Presley films...
as Reba Rainey - Waylon JenningsWaylon JenningsWaylon Arnold Jennings was an American country music singer, songwriter, and musician. Jennings began playing at eight. He began performing at twelve, on KVOW radio. Jennings formed a band The Texas Longhorns. Jennings worked as a D.J on KVOW, KDAV and KLLL...
as the Balladeer - Spanky McFarlan as Precious, Jake's bartender
- Joey GiordelloJoey GiardelloCarmine Orlando Tilelli was an American boxer who was the middleweight champion of the world from 1963 to 1965, and was better known by his professional pseudonym of Joey Giardello.-Early life:...
as a Syndicate man - Happy HumpheryHappy HumphreyThis article is about the wrestler. For other persons named William Cobb, see William Cobb William J. Cobb , best known by his ring and screen names of Happy Humphrey and "Squasher" Humphrey, was one of the heaviest professional wrestlers of all time...
as Tiny, a Syndicate man - Bill Gribble as Cooter PettigrewCooter DavenportCooter Davenport is a fictional character from the American TV show The Dukes of Hazzard. He was played by Ben Jones.Cooter was the mechanic in the fictional Hazzard County, in Georgia. He owned The Hazzard County Garage in Hazzard County Square, directly across from the Police Department and the...
- Bruce Atkins as Sheriff Rosco ColtraneSheriff Rosco P. ColtraneOn the American TV series The Dukes of Hazzard, Rosco Purvis Coltrane is the bumbling sheriff of Hazzard County and right-hand man of its corrupt county commissioner, Jefferson Davis "J.D." Hogg ....
- Ben Jones as Agent Fred from Chicago
Connections to The Dukes of Hazzard
A number of names, places and situations went from the film Moonrunners to the series The Dukes of HazzardThe Dukes of Hazzard
The Dukes of Hazzard is an American television series that aired on the CBS television network from 1979 to 1985.The series was inspired by the 1975 film Moonrunners, which was also created by Gy Waldron and had many identical or similar character names and concepts.- Overview :The Dukes of Hazzard...
with little or no alteration.
- Waylon JenningsWaylon JenningsWaylon Arnold Jennings was an American country music singer, songwriter, and musician. Jennings began playing at eight. He began performing at twelve, on KVOW radio. Jennings formed a band The Texas Longhorns. Jennings worked as a D.J on KVOW, KDAV and KLLL...
is the "Balladeer" in both film and series. - The Boar's NestBoar's NestThe Boar's Nest is the local restaurant and watering hole in the television series, The Dukes of Hazzard.It is the oldest establishment in Hazzard County, and is owned by Boss Hogg. It is the main social gathering place for the Duke family—cousins Bo, Luke and Daisy, and their Uncle Jesse—and their...
is a tavern in the film and the series. - Although the crude elements are much toned down for the TV series, the relationship between cousins BoBo DukeBeauregard "Bo" Duke is a fictional character in the American television series The Dukes of Hazzard, which ran from 1979 to 1985. He was played by John Schneider. The name of Beauregard may have been chosen after the famous Confederate General P.G.T. Beauregard.Bo and his cousin Luke Duke live in...
and Luke DukeLuke DukeLucas K. "Luke" Duke is a fictional character in the American television series The Dukes of Hazzard which ran from 1979 to 1985. Luke was played by Tom Wopat....
is much the same as cousins Bobby Lee and Grady in Moonrunners. - Uncle Jesse is the family patriarch. In both he is a widowed, bearded moonshiner, with strong religious beliefs, raising his nephews. They also have similar costumes, with dungarees over a shirt.
- Both feature a corrupt county boss (Jake Rainey/Boss HoggBoss HoggJefferson Davis "J.D." Hogg, better known as "Boss" Hogg, is a fictional character featured in the American television series The Dukes of Hazzard. He was the greedy, unethical commissioner of Hazzard County. A stereotypical villainous glutton, Boss Hogg always wore an all-white suit with a white...
) who used to run moonshine with his old friend Uncle Jesse. In both, the county boss now owns the local tavern and many local businesses, and through bribery the local law enforcement. - Rosco Coltrane is a once honest officer, who turned to corruption with the county Boss after being cheated out of his pension. This theme carried over into the TV series, before fading away by the end of the first season.
- A fellow stockcar driver in Moonrunners is named Cooter; There is little similarity between this Cooter and the TV series' character of the same name (in Moonrunners, Cooter even tries to sabotage Grady from winning a stock car race, whereas the TV Cooter was the Duke family's best friend), although the TV Cooter competed in stock car races on occasion.
- In both the film and series, the boys have a very talented mechanic friend. The film's unseen character of Virgil (Virg) can fix cars "...so even the factory wouldn't know." In the series this characteristic was given to Cooter Davenport.
- The boys are out on probation for running moonshine. In both the film and the series they use hunting bows tipped with dynamiteDynamiteDynamite is an explosive material based on nitroglycerin, initially using diatomaceous earth , or another absorbent substance such as powdered shells, clay, sawdust, or wood pulp. Dynamites using organic materials such as sawdust are less stable and such use has been generally discontinued...
, since they are forbidden to use firearms. Uncle Jesse however, is able to use firearms and is occasionally seen with a shotgun or rifle. - Also to note is a connection that skipped the Dukes TV series but re-appeared in the 2007 TV movie The Dukes of Hazzard: The BeginningThe Dukes of Hazzard: The BeginningThe Dukes of Hazzard: The Beginning is a prequel to the 2005 theatrical-release film The Dukes of Hazzard. An edited version of the film debuted on the ABC Family cable television channel on March 4, 2007. 'R'-rated and unrated versions were released on DVD March 13.- Plot :Bo Duke is arrested for...
. In Moonrunners, Grady is having an affair with Jake's wife; In The Beginning, Luke embarks upon a liaison with Boss Hogg's flirtatious wife Lulu, albeit as a distraction while Bo searches the house.
Other names or roles were altered, while still keeping recognizable connections.
- In the film, Uncle Jesse and the boys have the surname Hagg. In the series their antagonist, the county boss, has the surname HoggBoss HoggJefferson Davis "J.D." Hogg, better known as "Boss" Hogg, is a fictional character featured in the American television series The Dukes of Hazzard. He was the greedy, unethical commissioner of Hazzard County. A stereotypical villainous glutton, Boss Hogg always wore an all-white suit with a white...
. - In the film Beth Ann is a woman in trouble taken in by the Haggs. The character has many similarities to Daisy DukeDaisy DukeDaisy Mae Duke is a fictional character, played by Catherine Bach, from the American television series The Dukes of Hazzard. She was the cousin of Bo and Luke, the main protagonists of the show, who were also cousins, and the three lived on a farm on the outskirts of Hazzard County with their Uncle...
, who is an actual member of the family. (The casting call for Daisy even requested a blonde, a la Beth Ann; it wasn't until Catherine BachCatherine BachCatherine Bach is an American actress. She is known for playing Daisy Duke in the television series The Dukes of Hazzard and Margo Dutton in African Skies.-Career:...
won the part that the character was changed to brunette) - The Hagg's stockcar is named TravellerTraveller (horse)Traveller was Confederate General Robert E. Lee's most famous horse during the American Civil War.-Birth and war service:...
(after General Lee's horse). The Dukes' stock car is named The General LeeThe General LeeThe General Lee is the modified Dodge Charger driven by the Duke cousins Bo and Luke in the television series The Dukes of Hazzard. It is known for the chases and stunts, especially high jumps, in almost every episode, and for having the doors welded shut, leaving the Dukes to climb in and out...
. - Uncle Jesse's muleMuleA mule is the offspring of a male donkey and a female horse. Horses and donkeys are different species, with different numbers of chromosomes. Of the two F1 hybrids between these two species, a mule is easier to obtain than a hinny...
in the film is named Beauregard. This name would be given to Bo (Beauregard) Duke in the TV series.
Actors who appeared in Moonrunners and The Dukes of Hazzard
The Dukes of Hazzard
The Dukes of Hazzard is an American television series that aired on the CBS television network from 1979 to 1985.The series was inspired by the 1975 film Moonrunners, which was also created by Gy Waldron and had many identical or similar character names and concepts.- Overview :The Dukes of Hazzard...
- Ben Jones appears as Fred—a revenue agent after the boys—in Moonrunners, and as their best friend Cooter DavenportCooter DavenportCooter Davenport is a fictional character from the American TV show The Dukes of Hazzard. He was played by Ben Jones.Cooter was the mechanic in the fictional Hazzard County, in Georgia. He owned The Hazzard County Garage in Hazzard County Square, directly across from the Police Department and the...
in the series. - C. Pete Munro appears as "Zeebo" in Moonrunners, and as "Willie" in the season two episode "Jude Emery".
- Bill Gribble appears as "Cooter" in Moonrunners, and as "Carson" in the season one episode "Daisy's Song".
- Jerry RushingJerry RushingJerry Elijah Rushing is an American best known for his years as a bootlegger or "moonrunner" .Rushing was born into a family business making illegal whiskey...
appears as Jake Rainey's bodyguard in Moonrunners, and as "Ace Parker" in the season one episode "Repo Men".
Filming
Moonrunners was filmed during the fall of 1973 in WilliamsonWilliamson, Georgia
Williamson is a town in Pike County, Georgia, United States. The population was 297 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Williamson is located at ....
and Haralson, Georgia
Haralson, Georgia
Haralson is a town in Coweta and Meriwether Counties in the U.S. state of Georgia. The population was 144 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Haralson is located at ....
. Many of the original filming locations have changed significantly since the film was produced. A comprehensive photo journal of filming locations as they exist now is part of the Hazzard County Car Club's website.