Main Cast: Steve McQueen, Eli Wallach, Kathryn Harrold, LeVar Burton, Ben Johnson
Release Year: 1980
Country: US
Run Time: 97 minutes
Plot
Steve McQueen's last film concerns a modern day bounty hunter who searches for bail jumpers. Based on real life bounty hunter Ralph "Papa" Thorson, the film details his exciting life, traveling from one city to another, trying to track down fugitives and continually risking his life in the process. Buzz Kulik directed the confusing mish-mash that, nevertheless, features stunt work that anticipates the Lethal Weapon series. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
Richard Venture - Spota; Tracey Walter - Rocco Mason; Tom Rosales - Bernardo; Theodore Wilson - Winston Blue; Ray Bickel - Luke Branch; Bobby Bass - Matthew Branch; Karl Schueneman - Billie Joe; Lillian Adams - Blumenthal's Secretary; Luis Avalos - Poker Player; Taurean Blacque - Hustler; Tony Burton - Garbageman #2; Broderick Crawford; Frank Delfino - Poker Player; Linda Evans; Peter Graves; Kevin Hagen - Poker Player; Wynn Irwin - Informer; Poppy Lagos - Mrs. Bernardo; Anthony Mannino - Policeman at School; Margaret Mary O'Hara - Child on Subway; F. William Parker - Watch Commander; Jo Ann Pflug; Michael D. Roberts - Poker Player; Morgan Roberts - Garbageman #1; Murray Rubin; Jay Scorpio - Man on Balcony; James Spinks - Angry Car Owner; Clint Walker; James Franciscus; Bill Hart - Security Guard; Marilyn Jones - Barmaid; Nathaniel Taylor - Trotter; Patti Clifton - Sexy Woman; Alex Ross - Clief McCurdy; Matilda Calnan - Hospital Volunteer
Credit
Jim Tocci - Art Director, Buzz Kulik - Director, Robert Wolfe - Editor, Charles Bernstein - Composer (Music Score), Michel Legrand - Composer (Music Score), Ron Hobbs - Production Designer, Fred Koenekamp - Cinematographer, Mort Engelberg - Producer, George P. Gaines - Set Designer, Rick Simpson - Set Designer, Jim Tocci - Set Designer, Al Overton, Jr. - Sound/Sound Designer, Peter Hyams - Screenwriter, Ted Leighton - Screenwriter, Christopher Keane - Book Author
The opening scenes were filmed in Kankakee County, IL. The capture of Tommy Price (LeVar Burton) in Herscher and payphone scenes with Papa Thorson (Steve McQueen) talking to Sheriff Strong (Ben Johnson) were filmed in Bonfield. The classic riverhouse explosion early in the picture was filmed on the Kankakee River near Aroma Park. The structure was built for the film and then destroyed.
The airport scene where Papa picks up the Trans Am was filmed at the Greater Kankakee airport. Historic downtown Lemont was used for the scene where Steve McQueen performs a burnout in front of the police officer. Also, the current public works building across from the post office was used as the police station and jail. The cornfield chase scenes were filmed on a feed corn farm that shared property with the Lithuanian World Center and is now the site of a current residential development.
A portion of the film was shot in Old Town, Chicago, on the El. Scenes involving Papa chasing his quarry in a parking garage were shot at Marina Towers. The stunt with the fleeing suspect driving off the Marina City garage and plunging into the Chicago River was recreated in 2006 for a commercial for Allstate Insurance.
