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 wife, Geoffrey Lewis as a slack-jawed mechanic, and future teen idol and drug addict Lief Garrett as the deputy's 10 year old son. Old pros Emile Meyer and Doodles Weaver, as well as a young James Gammon, play various locals. Cinematographer Daniel Lacamb (The Young Nurses) gets some nice down-home vistas and makes the most of his locations. The theme is sung by Bobbie Gentry, whose song "Ode to Billy Joe" would be adapted into a movie directed by Baer two years later.

Macon County Line was a huge box office success, earning millions on a $225,000 budget, and spawning a subgenre. It also spawned the inevitable sequel, 1975's Return to Macon County, made without Baer's participation, written and directed by Compton, starring Nick Nolte and Don Johnson. Max Baer's last film as a director was the dopey teenage sex comedy Hometown USA (1980) -- written by Jesse Vint. 

 

*** out of *****

 Since writing this review, I have discovered the existence of a book, "The Making of Macon County Line" by C.F. Stewart. I will have to read it and revise this entry accordingly. Until then, stay tuned for more Mal Goes to the Movies right here at this locality. Y'all come back now, y'hear?