Hicksploitation FTW: Macon County Line (1974)
This 1974 hicksploitation classic was the brainchild of Max Baer (Jr.) -- the culmination of three years of him getting no acting work after having played backwoods buffoon Jethro Bodine on " The Beverly Hillbillies " for nine seasons. Baer almost went full Orson Welles, writing, producing, and starring as friendly racist redneck deputy Reed Morgan. Director and co-writer Richard Compton ( Angels Die Hard ) brought low-budget know-how to the table, and keeps things moving along to the twisted southern-fried climax (no spoilers). While the film is set in 1954 Louisiana, it was shot in and around Sacramento, California. The three leads are played by real life brothers Alan and Jesse Vint , with Cheryl Waters ( Rape Squad ) as a sassy hitch-hiker. Alan and Cheryl share a decidedly unerotic and badly shot love scene towards the end of the second act (OK, one spoiler). The supporting cast is impressive: Elvis movie mainstay Joan Blackman as Baer's perfect Southern w...