70'S FOCUS : ZERO TO SIXTY ... 1978 ....

FIRST ARTISTS RELEASING
Presents
A KBCO PRODUCTION
ZERO TO SIXTY
STARRING
DARREN MCGAVIN as Michael Nolan
JOAN COLLINS as Gloria Martine
SYLVIA MILES as Flo Ames
DENISE NICKERSON as Larry Wilde
THE HUDSON BROTHERS as Eddie / Harry / Sammy
VITO SCOTTI as Benny
LORRAINE GARY as Billy John 
DAVID HUDDLESTON as Harold Finch
MONICA LEWIS as Aunt Clara
GORDON MACRAE as Officer Joe
DICK MARTIN as Arthur Dunking
LYLE WAGGONER as Gay Bartender
FRANCINE YORK as Mrs Finch

  Art Director - James William Newport
     Edited by Dann Cahn / Jack Peluso
       Music by John Beal
         Director of Photography - Donald H Birnkrant
           Screenplay by W.Lyle Richardson
            From a Story by Judith Bustany & Peg Shirley
              Produced by Kathie Browne
                 Directed by Don Weis
                            ~~~~~~~~~
Michael Nolan is finding life hard, what with a greedy ex-wife, who with the aid of his own crooked lawyer, has just swindled a large alimony payment from him. Tired and broke, all he has left is his fancy new car, but when he sees a teenage tearaway stealing it, thus begins a series of madcap adventured! Gaining a job in the reposession buisness, the chase is on for the elusive Gloria Martine!! When your job is at stake, the price is high... It's a hard drive on a Zero To Sixty!!!
 (c) 1978  87 mins  color .. Rated AA .. 

This 1978 action comedy features Joan as the elusive Gloria Martine, who spends most of the film running from one place to another, trying to evade Darren McGavin, who is trying to repossess her car. Joan no doubt glad of the work, this was made just before 'The Stud' hit box office gold. The film's star Darren McGavin wrote the screenplay under the name W Lyle Richardson and his wife Katherine Browne produced the film. So all in all a labour of love for the star couple. The film however only got a limited release and was heavily re-edited by First Artists which gives the film a disjointed look. It does have an interesting cast, including "Willy Wonka" star Denise Nickerson, who played Violet in the 1971 classic, here she was sixteen and this to date is her last film appearance.Also appearing is 'Rowan and Martin's Laugh In's' Dick Martin, 'Jaws' star Lorraine Gary and veteran star of 'Oklahoma' Gordon MacRae. It was however the first film for popular film/tv composer John Beal, who is now the top movie trailer soundtrack composer.

The film was released on video in the 80's all over the place, however a dvd has not turned up as yet. Although the MGM channel is screening an excellent print of the film. Worth checking out to spot the familiar faces and of course to see Joan!

(C) 2011  Mark McMorrow..