Grand Theft Auto

1977

Grand Theft Auto (1977)

TOMATOMETER

23%

——

Critic Consensus: No consensus yet.

AUDIENCE SCORE

35%

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Movie Info

In exchange for being allowed to make his directorial debut in Grand Theft Auto, Ron Howard agreed to take no salary as a director, merely as star and co-screenwriter (with his dad Rance). The plot finds Sam Freeman (Howard) eloping with his heiress girlfriend Paula Powers (Nancy Morgan). Her mob-connected dad Bigby Powers (Barry Cahill) vehemently opposes the marriage, and isn't about to change his mind now that Sam has stolen his Rolls-Royce and sped off to Las Vegas with his daughter in tow. Marion Ross, Howard's Happy Days mom, turns in an offbeat supporting characterization.

Cast

Ron Howard
as Sam Freeman
Peter Isacksen
Nancy Morgan
as Paula Powers
Marion Ross
as Vivian Hedgeworth
Peter Isacksen
as Sparky
Barry Cahill
as Bigby Powers
Hoke Howell
as Preacher
Lew Brown
as Jack Klepper
Elizabeth Rogers
as Priscilla Powers
Rance Howard
as Ned Slinker
Don Steele
as Curley Q. Brown
Paul Linke
as Collins Hedgeworth
Leo Rossi
as Sal
Robby Weaver
as Harold Hingleman
Clint Howard
as Ace
James Ritz
as Officer Tad
Bill Conklin
as Engle Hingleman
Ken Lerner
as Benny
Jack Perkins
as Shadley
Bobs Watson
as Minister
George Waggner
as Camera Operator
Gary K. Marshall
as Underworld Boss
Karen Kaysing
as Bride
Paul Bartel
as Groom
Rick Seaman
as Max Hingleman
Tom Waters
as Lester
Ancel Cook
as Dink
Cal Naylor
as Car Salesman
Jim Costigan
as Hiram
Reed Chenault
as Rex
Phyliss Citas
as Lupe
Leo Michelson
as Farmer
Jim Begg
as Businessman
Garry Marshall
as Underworld Boss
Jimi Fox
as Engineer
Gisella Blake
as Accordionist
Larry Cruickshank
as Elder Spokesman
Gene Hartline
as Gas Station Attendant
George Wagner
as Camera Operator
Bill Denochelle
as Derby Driver
Eddie Mulder
as Derby Driver
Wayne Goodwin
as Mysterious Man
Lars Fredriksen
as Stony
Glen Towery
as Tony
Todd McCarthy
as Reporter
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News & Interviews for Grand Theft Auto

Grand Theft Auto Movie Nearly Happened Last Year
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Critic Reviews for Grand Theft Auto

All Critics (13) | Top Critics (1)

A typical Chase-n-Crash, made more entertaining than most because of the attractive personalities of [Ron] Howard and Nancy Morgan...

Jul 2, 2018 | Rating: 2/4 | Full Review…
Chicago Sun-Times
Top Critic

...runs out of steam long before it reaches its crowd-pleasing conclusion.

Apr 27, 2011 | Rating: 2/4 | Full Review…
Reel Film Reviews

Below average car-chase comedy.

Dec 29, 2007 | Rating: C- | Full Review…
Ozus' World Movie Reviews

This is by no means a terrible movie, but I think we can all be thankful that Howard got this out of his system early on.

Jul 10, 2007 | Full Review…
DVD Review

Yee-ha! Catch it as early Ron Howard directing; otherwise forget it.

Apr 20, 2007 | Rating: 2/5
Video-Reviewmaster.com

...eighty-four minutes never felt like so long a ride.

Jan 14, 2007 | Rating: 5/10 | Full Review…
Movie Metropolis
View All Critic Reviews (13)

Audience Reviews for Grand Theft Auto

An heiress steals Daddy's Rolls Royce ("that's my baby!") so she can marry Joe Average which then escalates into a its-for-laughs 'zany' cross-country car chase. There's plenty of car crashes afterwards to hide that there's zero characterization. Even the romance, the driving impetus for this movie about driving, seems an unfortunate afterthought. Blasé.

Kevin M. Williams
Kevin M. Williams

Super Reviewer

An action comedy involving car chasing and crashes of all kinds, but it also has a great, funny story. I really liked this movie, it's entertaining and enjoyable.

Aj V
Aj V

Super Reviewer

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