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Cast

Goldie Hawn
as Lou Jean Poplin

William Atherton
as Clovis Michael Poplin

Michael Sacks
as Patrolman Maxwell Slide

Ben Johnson
as Capt. Harlin Tanner

Gregory Walcott
as Off. Mashburn

Steve Kanaly
as Jessup

Louise Latham
as Mrs. Looby

Buster Denials
as Drunk

Harrison Zanuck
as Baby Langston

Kenneth Hudgins
as Standby

A.L. Camp
as Mr. Nocker

Jessie Lee Fulton
as Mrs. Nocker

Dean Smith
as Russ Berry

Ted Grossman
as Dietz

Bill Thurman
as Hunter

Ken Hudgins
as Standby

Buster Danials
as Drunk

James N. Harrell
as Mark Fenno

Frank Steggall
as Logan Waters

Roger Ernest
as Hot Jock No. 1

Guich Koock
as Hot Jock No. 2

Merrill Connally
as Looby

Gene Rader
as Gas Jockey

Gordon Hurst
as Hubie Nocker

George Hagy
as Sparrow

Big John Hamilton
as Big John

Kenneth Crone
as Deputy

Peter Michael Curry
as Judge

Charles Conaway
as Attorney

Robert Golden
as Mechanic

Ruby Robbins
as Mechanic

Charlie Dobbs
as Cop

Gene Lively
as Reporter

John L. Quinlan III
as Bailiff

William Scott
as Station Man

Ralph E. Horwedel
as Dispatcher

Edwin 'Frog' Isbell
as Jelly Bowl

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News & Interviews for The Sugarland Express

Critic Reviews for The Sugarland Express

Audience Reviews for The Sugarland Express

• Sep 23, 2019

  Goldie Hawn turns in a decently unmannered performance as a ex-con trying ridiculously to get her state-custodied child back...by kidnapping a cop. Based on a true story, Steven Spielberg paints a pretty accurate picture of Middle America and does it without a preponderant use of his usual heavyhanded shorthand.
  Kevin M. W Super Reviewer
• Dec 04, 2011

  This is an Underated classic as Steven's first "Theatrical" feature. Its an interesting story about how criminals can become folk heroes. Its very tragic too! Also was the beginning of a great friendship with composer; John Williams.
  Luke E Super Reviewer
• Jul 06, 2011

  While not his first film ever, this was the feature length theatrical debut of a nice guy named Steven Spielberg. Based on actual events, this film tells the story of an outlaw couple who take a highway patrolman hostage in an ill-conceived but desperate effort to keep their child from being taken away from them and adopted. It's not long before they are accompanied by a convoy of law enforcement and media, and stir up support from just about every averge citizen they cross paths with as they journey across Texas. This film very much fits into the zeitgeist of the time period, and it really reminded me of a movie that was released a year later...a little movie called Dog Day Afternoon. Whereas that film was a brilliant masterpiece, this one is really fun and entertaining, but almost too absurd to really take seriously, even though it is based on real life. Maybe there should have been a couple fewer scenes of cars scrashing or swerving, and a bit more time spent on developing the characters and their personalities better. The film is uneven and a little rough, but Im not sure who to really blame here. Spielberg had experience making films, so who knows? I will say though that it's cool seeing a pre-Ghostbuster William Atherton, and 70s era Goldie Hawn. They both give pretty good performances (especially Hawn), as do Ben Johnson and Michael Sacks. The music is quite nice, and the cinematography is pretty good too. Besides what I've already mentioned the film also is a tad unfocused and a bit dated, yet it has a very charming quality to it, and it's certainly not boring. It has some issues, but I like it enough to give it a mild recommendation, so you should give it a shot.
  Chris W Super Reviewer
• Jan 23, 2010

  Great work by Spielberg in this "petty criminal duo take a policeman hostage and go on the run to get their child back". The problem is the tone: it's far too light. And without a villain there's no tension. It's definitely worth a watch though, and Hawn is fantastic.
  Marcus W Super Reviewer

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