Silver Streak

1976

Silver Streak

Critics Consensus

No consensus yet.

83%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 18

71%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 9,059

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Movie Info

While taking a train trip from L.A. to Chicago, mild-mannered George Caldwell (Gene Wilder) makes the acquaintance of Hilly Burns (Jill Clayburgh). As they indulge in a brief bit of spooning, Hilly tells George that her boss is on the verge of exposing a group of vicious art forgers. Later that evening, George sees the body of Hilly's boss being thrown off of the train. Detective Sweet (Ned Beatty) agrees to investigate, but he too is bumped off. The instigator of these outrages is master forger Roger Devereau (Patrick McGoohan), who, with his crony Mr. Whiney (Ray Walston) is planning a particularly diabolical crime. Worse still, they take Hilly prisoner so she can't tip off the cops. When George is also targeted for elimination, he manages in slapstick fashion to elude the killers. Falling off the train, he ends up being arrested on some trumped-up charge or other by a local sheriff. He makes his escape in the company of petty thief Grover Muldoon (Richard Pryor) -- and that's only the beginning. A box-office smash, Silver Streak paved the way for the equally successful 1980 Wilder-Pryor vehicle Stir Crazy. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Cast

Gene Wilder
as George Caldwell
Jill Clayburgh
as Hilly Burns
Richard Pryor
as Grover Muldoon
Patrick McGoohan
as Roger Devereau
Ned Beatty
as Sweet
Clifton James
as Sheriff Chauncey
Ray Walston
as Mr. Whiney
Stefan Gierasch
as Johnson/Prof. Schreiner
Len Birman
as Chief
Valerie Curtin
as Plain Jane
Richard Kiel
as Reace/Goldtooth
Lucille Benson
as Rita Babtree
Scatman Crothers
as Ralston
Fred Willard
as Jerry Jarvis
Delos V. Smith
as Burt
Matilda Calnan
as Blue-Haired Lady
Margarita Garcia
as Mexican Mama San
Jack Mather
as Conductor
Nick Stewart [Nicodemus]
as Shoe Shiner
Lloyd White
as Porter
Ed McNamara
as Benny
Ray Goth
as Night Watchman
John Day
as Engineer
Thomas Erhart
as Cab Driver
Bill Henderson
as Red Cap
Gordon Hurst
as Moose
Jack O'Leary
as Fat Man
Raymond Guth
as Night Watchman
Lee McLaughlin
as Fat Man
Henry Beckman
as Conventioneer
Steve Weston
as Conventioneer
Harvey Atkin
as Conventioneer
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News & Interviews for Silver Streak

Indie Spirit Awards Distributed
Richard Pryor Passes Away at 65
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Critic Reviews for Silver Streak

All Critics (18) | Top Critics (1)

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Audience Reviews for Silver Streak

  • Jun 17, 2011
    Probably the main film for Wilder and Pryor in their careers but in my opinion not their best film together, second best behind 'Stir Crazy'. This is still brilliant stuff mixing proper thrills and actual nasty murder for Wilder with his usual wild eyed lunacy haha the film isn't hilarious as you may expect and is kinda slow burning from the start as the plot builds plus Pryor doesn't come into the fun till about halfway. The giggles do arise when Pryor enters the fray naturally and the film does pick up at that point, until then its a kind of semi serious murder mystery on a train with a slice of 'Hitchcock' blended in which is fine but not stunning. This is an old film now and it is pretty dated but it does still entertain as Wilder will always do no matter what year it is. The cast is classic, especially Patrick McGoohan with his 'Dick Dastardly' type villain, the scenery is quite stunning throughout the train journey, gentle musical score and the finale is still pretty impressive with the train wreck, amazing effects back in the day. A soft, pleasant, relaxing Sunday afternoon film which will make you smile and tweak your senses with a dash of murder most foul :)
    Phil H Super Reviewer
  • May 11, 2011
    Unforgettable film with a unforgettable screenplay. The picture mixture the comedy of Pryor and Wilder in a plot A La Hitchcock.
    Lucas M Super Reviewer
  • Sep 06, 2010
    This is both a thriller and a comedy, but not a spoof exactly. I really like this movie, it has an excellent cast and a great story. I highly recommend it.
    Aj V Super Reviewer
  • Jul 15, 2010
    An awesome film that I've seen like a dozen times. Anyone can enjoy this great mix of action and comedy!
    Stephen S Super Reviewer
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