17 reviews
- BandSAboutMovies
- Dec 14, 2018
- Permalink
The moonshiner father of three women is killed by a rival bootlegging syndicate, and the three daughters carry on the family business. In this movie are Susan Howard from Petrocelli and Dallas, Maureen McCormick from The Brady Bunch, and Claudia Jennings from some rather trashy movies. John Saxon plays J. B. Johnson, a hot rodder who, Dot says, is interested in only cars and women and goes as fast as he can with both of them. J. B. teaches Dot how to run shine in a nice hot Mustang, but she drives it into a body of water. J. B. drives a Dodge Challenger. It seems a rival runner drove a '70 Roadrunner with an "auxillary fuel tank" for hauling shine. And there was a hypocritical preacher who was really out to make money on shine. Well, the law enforcement is on the lookout, and if one shine business doesn't go out of business, the other one will.
- lightninboy
- May 17, 2005
- Permalink
This is directed by Gus Trikonis, well known for directing so many series. This flick here is still unavailable on DVD and is only to catch on NTSC ex-rental VHS. It's made in an era were car chasing was the big thing and coppers were the stupid ones. Smokey And The Bandit (1977) was also a perfect example and the series The Dukes Of Hazard (1979) also picked in on that success.
But it's strange that a flick with this cast and a good director still is collector to find. It's also one of those many flicks that involved John Saxon and is still unreleased on DVD. Further it also has William Conrad famous from Jake And The Fatman series as main lead. Claudia Jennings is also here to see and we all know how sadly see died two years later. Too many faces to recognize in this well made flick.
If you like coppers hunting fast cars and flicks about rednecks than this is surely one to pick up. Don't be mislead by the fact that it was said that the nudity had to left out, it do has one shower scene but it was told about the nudity because many females here in this flick were known to go nude in their flicks.
Gore 0/5 Nudity 0/5 Effects 3/5 Story 3/5 Comedy 0/5
But it's strange that a flick with this cast and a good director still is collector to find. It's also one of those many flicks that involved John Saxon and is still unreleased on DVD. Further it also has William Conrad famous from Jake And The Fatman series as main lead. Claudia Jennings is also here to see and we all know how sadly see died two years later. Too many faces to recognize in this well made flick.
If you like coppers hunting fast cars and flicks about rednecks than this is surely one to pick up. Don't be mislead by the fact that it was said that the nudity had to left out, it do has one shower scene but it was told about the nudity because many females here in this flick were known to go nude in their flicks.
Gore 0/5 Nudity 0/5 Effects 3/5 Story 3/5 Comedy 0/5
I have seen a John Saxon Film recently, was not MSCE (Moonshine County Express), but kept thinking about this film that I foundly remember from the 70s when I seen him recently. I came to IMDB to do a search to see if I could find the name of the film(found it here) to see about buying it on DVD, but to no avail, not even on VHS! That is awful :-( Couple fun things about the film, Three pretty sisters, One of them always using dynamite to blow up things, I think it was Maureen McCormick, and Claudia Jennnings being the brains of the three I think. John Saxon drives a muscle car, a cherry red Dodge Challenger, a real sweet car. A buddy of mine used to own one down the street from me at the time I seen this back in the late 70s. Hopefully, this gem will come out on DVD soon. If you like this film, you may also like "Duel", Steven Spielbergs first film.
- mark.waltz
- Apr 20, 2022
- Permalink
- Leofwine_draca
- Mar 20, 2018
- Permalink
The three comely daughters of a backwoods moonshiner are left orphaned after their pappy and his crew are murdered by the goons of their fat cat competitor, who also blow the production still to smithereens in the hopes of running off the girls and taking over the property himself. Unfortunately for him, the ladies discover an underground stash of prime Prohibition-era bootleg whiskey--and they know just the right guy to act as their muscleman, the top-finishing stock car driver at the local speedway who runs "shine" between races. Cheap, barely-competent drive-in entry from Roger Corman and New World Pictures, amateurishly directed by Gus Trikonis. John Saxon (in flannel shirts and jeans) seems curiously misplaced as a good ol' boy, though William Conrad (with muttonchops) is a dandy villain and the ladies, Susan Howard, Claudia Jennings and Maureen McCormick, are spunky and attractive. The picture looks muddy and sounds terrible--and, with a PG rating, seems a little tame for the hillbilly genre--but B-movie completists will probably be satisfied by the energy and fast pace. *1/2 from ****
- moonspinner55
- Nov 4, 2017
- Permalink
As soon as the first banjo tunes start playing, which is after mere seconds already, you can tell "Moonshine County Express" will become a jolly good and very entertaining slice of hixploitation cinema! Coming from the great Roger Corman's inexhaustible production shed, this obviously isn't a very artistic or intellectual film, but it more than delivers in terms of excitement, kicks, and pure old-fashioned fun.
Modest moonshiner "Pa" Hammer is put out of business - quite brutally, I may add - by his ruthless competitor Jack Starkey and his sadist henchman Sweetwater. Pa left a neat little inheritance for his ravishing three daughters, however, namely a secret stash of authentic and highly qualitative prohibition whiskey. When the girls gradually take over more and more of Starkey's terrain, they need the protection of macho racecar driver JB Johnson.
First of all, have you seen the phenomenal cast "Moonshine County Express" brings together?!? Seeing all these names together in one film must be every avid B-movie fanatic's wet dream. Susan Howard, Claudia Jennings, and Maureen McCormick star as the Hammer sisters. With three multi-talented and feistily ravishing actresses like these, director Gus Trikonis naturally needed an extended male cast to keep a proper balance! Mission accomplished, though, with John Saxon, William Conrad, Len Lesser, Albert Salmi, and Dub Taylor. Furthermore, there are exhilarating car chases aplenty, brutal kills, and effective hillbilly-humor (like when Saxon messes with the Sheriff's costume)
Modest moonshiner "Pa" Hammer is put out of business - quite brutally, I may add - by his ruthless competitor Jack Starkey and his sadist henchman Sweetwater. Pa left a neat little inheritance for his ravishing three daughters, however, namely a secret stash of authentic and highly qualitative prohibition whiskey. When the girls gradually take over more and more of Starkey's terrain, they need the protection of macho racecar driver JB Johnson.
First of all, have you seen the phenomenal cast "Moonshine County Express" brings together?!? Seeing all these names together in one film must be every avid B-movie fanatic's wet dream. Susan Howard, Claudia Jennings, and Maureen McCormick star as the Hammer sisters. With three multi-talented and feistily ravishing actresses like these, director Gus Trikonis naturally needed an extended male cast to keep a proper balance! Mission accomplished, though, with John Saxon, William Conrad, Len Lesser, Albert Salmi, and Dub Taylor. Furthermore, there are exhilarating car chases aplenty, brutal kills, and effective hillbilly-humor (like when Saxon messes with the Sheriff's costume)
When I started watching "Moonshine County Express" I was expecting a low budget 1970s T&A comedy. While it is low budget, there aren't that many jokes. This is a pretty straight crime drama. This movies moves fast and doesn't wear out its welcome. However, I have to admit that I found myself getting a little confused from time to time. The cast is good/not too bad. Overall, "Moonshine County Express" is an okay movie. Honorable mention: a dreamy Marcia Brady (Maureen McCormick).
First applaudable feature of this movie is the feminist undertones. With no less than three strong leading ladies, accompanied by John Saxon, they are by no means passive character, as often seen in movies from that era; the female protagonists are here portrayed with such dignity and respect.
This movie was quite a surprise overall. It has some fairly good acting. It is part comedy, part action, part drama, doing it all quite well. A strangely endearing and charming Roger Corman production.
This movie was quite a surprise overall. It has some fairly good acting. It is part comedy, part action, part drama, doing it all quite well. A strangely endearing and charming Roger Corman production.
- ckysebastian
- Jan 1, 2021
- Permalink
Take some gorgeous gals, good 'ol boys, creepy villains, fast car chases, and throw in some gratuitous sex scenes. Put it all together, and you have another classic Roger Corman 70s B movie. Corman churned-out these low-budget films like mad, back then. And Moonshine County Express is a fast-and furious tale, of moonshiners in the backwoods of the south. The plot revolves around the three luscious Hammer sisters (played by Susan Howard, Claudia Jennings, and Mareen McCormick). Their father was a legendary moonshiner. And he gets brutally murdered by the local thugs, in a moonshine war.
After their father is murdered by Starkey, the local crime kingpin, the Hammer sisters are determined to beat Starkey at his own game. The sisters discover a huge stash of pure bootleg liquor, stored away in a secret hiding place. They've inherited it from their father. And they plan on selling it right under Starkey's nose, and making a fortune. But Starkey proves to be a formidable foe, who'll stop at nothing to shut-down the Hammer sister's liquor business.
This film boasts a talented cast of actors. Especially William Conrad, as the cigar-chomping, nefarious Starkey. John Saxon co-stars as the wily, ace moonshine runner, JB. Saxon has a tumultuous, eclectic chemistry with co-star, Susan Howard. Susan plays the eldest sister, Dot Hammer. Most of the time, Dot can't decide whether to kiss JB, or strangle him.
Claudia Jennings, was known as the queen of 70s drive-in movies. Claudia plays the stalwart Betty Hammer, who defends her family with gusto, from Starkey and his thugs. Claudia's only in a supporting role though. So she never gets to become the center of attention, like she does in her films where she's the main character. Maureen McCormick, known to most as Marcia from the Brady Bunch, is Sissy Hammer, the youngest sister. Maureen doesn't shine as brightly as the rest of the cast. That's mainly because her role as Sissy, isn't very well-developed.
This move was part of a sub-genre of 70s B movies, that featured good 'ol boys and gals in the sticks, as the main protagonists. These films always seemed to have the hero(s) running from either the law, the bad guys, or both, in souped-up muscle cars on dirt roads. Other 70s movies of this ilk, included Moonrunners (which spawned the TV show, the Dukes Of Hazzard), Smokey and The Bandit, Gator, etc. Moonshine County Express, is a top-tier film of this genre. So you'll enjoy it, if these kinds of films are your cup of corn-squeezins.
After their father is murdered by Starkey, the local crime kingpin, the Hammer sisters are determined to beat Starkey at his own game. The sisters discover a huge stash of pure bootleg liquor, stored away in a secret hiding place. They've inherited it from their father. And they plan on selling it right under Starkey's nose, and making a fortune. But Starkey proves to be a formidable foe, who'll stop at nothing to shut-down the Hammer sister's liquor business.
This film boasts a talented cast of actors. Especially William Conrad, as the cigar-chomping, nefarious Starkey. John Saxon co-stars as the wily, ace moonshine runner, JB. Saxon has a tumultuous, eclectic chemistry with co-star, Susan Howard. Susan plays the eldest sister, Dot Hammer. Most of the time, Dot can't decide whether to kiss JB, or strangle him.
Claudia Jennings, was known as the queen of 70s drive-in movies. Claudia plays the stalwart Betty Hammer, who defends her family with gusto, from Starkey and his thugs. Claudia's only in a supporting role though. So she never gets to become the center of attention, like she does in her films where she's the main character. Maureen McCormick, known to most as Marcia from the Brady Bunch, is Sissy Hammer, the youngest sister. Maureen doesn't shine as brightly as the rest of the cast. That's mainly because her role as Sissy, isn't very well-developed.
This move was part of a sub-genre of 70s B movies, that featured good 'ol boys and gals in the sticks, as the main protagonists. These films always seemed to have the hero(s) running from either the law, the bad guys, or both, in souped-up muscle cars on dirt roads. Other 70s movies of this ilk, included Moonrunners (which spawned the TV show, the Dukes Of Hazzard), Smokey and The Bandit, Gator, etc. Moonshine County Express, is a top-tier film of this genre. So you'll enjoy it, if these kinds of films are your cup of corn-squeezins.
- sonya90028
- Jan 16, 2009
- Permalink
A passable action film about three close sisters: Dot (Susan Howard), Betty (Claudia Jennings), and Sissy (Maureen McCormick) attempting to solve the murder of their moonshiner father. Since Dot is the leader and mouthpiece of the trio, she enlists the help of local moonshine hot-rodder J. B. Johnson (John Saxon). They suspect local crime boss Jack Starkey (William Conrad) was responsible for their father's death as he refused to give into Starkey's offer. Morgan Woodward plays Starkey's henchman and Jeff Corey is the seemingly good-guy preacher who is often seen swilling vodka from a bottle. Some decent car chases are thrown in and the performances are good for a standard story.
- abbazabakyleman-98834
- Feb 26, 2020
- Permalink
i thought this was a pretty enjoyable film.3 pretty country sisters discover their murdered fathers moonshine stash and decide to cash in.they have to battle local crooks who don't want the competition.not too much plot(this ain't the godfather!) but Maureen McCormick aka Marcia Brady is absolutely beautiful and very sexy as the wild daughter in this seldom seen and hard to find film.
- Hey_Sweden
- Oct 31, 2017
- Permalink
After their moonshiner "pa" is killed by a rival bootlegging outfit, three sexy sisters (Susan Howard, Claudia Jennings, and Maureen McCormick) band together to continue his business, which quickly brings them into conflict with same group of thugs. So they team up with a local good 'ole boy and stock-car driver/rum-runner (Jon Saxon) to fight back.
This is yet another Roger Corman produced "hicksploitation" film from the 1970's, but actually a pretty good one (despite its PG rating). Most people today will probably seek it out to see Maureen "Marcia Brady" McCormick, but I personally find it more interesting in that it features two of my favorite 1970's drive-in queens, Claudia Jennings and Candice Rialson. The PG-rating, of course, precludes both actresses' usual gratuitous nude scenes, but Jennings was actually a genuinely talented actress (a veritable Meryl Streep for someone who was once a Playboy Playmate) and she's pretty good here as the feisty, shotgun-totin' middle sister. Rialson has a smaller role as the local tart, but she's just sexy as hell even with her clothes on. The main stars though are Jon Saxon and Susan Howard, both of whom are a little too old for these kind of roles (Saxon especially), but they're both pretty good (again Saxon especially). There's also some very decent character actors in the cast including Dub Taylor as the girls' drunken and treacherous uncle and Les "Uncle Leo" Lesser as a very near-sighted store owner. Which, of course, brings us to Marcia, I mean Maureen McCormick. She's definitely cute and appealing as youngest, animal-loving sister, and the scene were she gets bound to a column and (very mildly) tortured by the bad guys might fulfill some people's more perverted "Brady Bunch"-related fantasies, but others might prefer her later film "Texas Lightning" where she has nude scenes (sort of). She does basically hold her here as an actress against thespians a little more talented than Robert Reed, Florence Henderson or Ann B. Davis.
This movie certainly has an interesting cast, and I found it to overall be a pretty decent flick.
This is yet another Roger Corman produced "hicksploitation" film from the 1970's, but actually a pretty good one (despite its PG rating). Most people today will probably seek it out to see Maureen "Marcia Brady" McCormick, but I personally find it more interesting in that it features two of my favorite 1970's drive-in queens, Claudia Jennings and Candice Rialson. The PG-rating, of course, precludes both actresses' usual gratuitous nude scenes, but Jennings was actually a genuinely talented actress (a veritable Meryl Streep for someone who was once a Playboy Playmate) and she's pretty good here as the feisty, shotgun-totin' middle sister. Rialson has a smaller role as the local tart, but she's just sexy as hell even with her clothes on. The main stars though are Jon Saxon and Susan Howard, both of whom are a little too old for these kind of roles (Saxon especially), but they're both pretty good (again Saxon especially). There's also some very decent character actors in the cast including Dub Taylor as the girls' drunken and treacherous uncle and Les "Uncle Leo" Lesser as a very near-sighted store owner. Which, of course, brings us to Marcia, I mean Maureen McCormick. She's definitely cute and appealing as youngest, animal-loving sister, and the scene were she gets bound to a column and (very mildly) tortured by the bad guys might fulfill some people's more perverted "Brady Bunch"-related fantasies, but others might prefer her later film "Texas Lightning" where she has nude scenes (sort of). She does basically hold her here as an actress against thespians a little more talented than Robert Reed, Florence Henderson or Ann B. Davis.
This movie certainly has an interesting cast, and I found it to overall be a pretty decent flick.
- Woodyanders
- Oct 17, 2017
- Permalink
Here's a exploitation film that can your motor running. "Moonshine County Express" is a film that can send you off-road. Starring John Saxon as J. B., a stock driver who helps a trio of sisters seeking revenge on a rival moonshiner. He has killed the father, and has been the target of the competition. He thought that he can buy his way out of the situation, but he crossed so many paths, he became a marked man. It also stars ,Claudia Jennings, Maureen McCormick, William Conrad, and Dub Taylor. Star studded packed, what a wild ride. I enjoyed every minute of it. Plenty of language, plentiful plot, and a ride one would never forget. This movie is great for a rainy day.
4 out of 5 stars.
4 out of 5 stars.
- GOWBTW-5STARreviewer
- Feb 27, 2024
- Permalink