The Age of Commercialism

Powerful

Excellent, Without a doubt!!

Best movie ever!

Largely forgotten now, this movie was viewed by a lot of people in the 1970s. Parents saw it, mainly for Ann Margeret, in movie theaters during its 1st run, older kids caught it, mainly for Joe Namath, during its drive-in run and all us youngsters saw it when it made it's way to TV in the mid-1970s. I remember it fondly.A product of a by gone era, it's really not as bad as some have made it out to be. Worth it for the novelty of Joe Namath and the 1970s cheese factor alone. Broadway Joe isn't really half bad because he did have tremendous charisma and a screen presence which somewhat compensates for his lack of acting chops. Plus as his adversary, we have quintessential 1970s bad guy, William Smith (the unforgettable Falconetti from Rich Man, Poor Man mini series or bad-ass Jack Wilson in Clint Eastwood's Any Which Way You Can) who turns in a fine performance. Throw in Sid Haig, Crispin Glover's father Bruce (of Diamond's Are Forever fame) and a delightfully campy performance from Teda Bracci and you have a pretty memorable Biker gang.I wonder if Ann Margret and her husband originally thought of Elvis for the title role because this film is similar to many of his mid-sixties on screen personas (misunderstood rebel woos wary girl, defeats opposition in race at end). Fortunately for Elvis, his career, unlike Miss Margret's at the time, had just been spectacularly reignited with his TV Comeback Special and Vegas headlining. Anyway, Ann always possessed a great screen presence of her own; enough, along with all the outdoor scenery, to keep the viewer interested.I think if you take this movie for what it is, a mindless artifact of late 1960s/early 1970s culture starring one of that era's biggest icons, you won't regret having spent 90 mins. watching it on a dreary Saturday afternoon.

Luscious Ann Margaret,her husband Roger Smith, an almost schoolboy-like "Broadway Joe", assorted character actors known for playing these kinds of roles, and a script that motorcycle enthusiasts either laugh like loons, or groan, at...or both.Features some of the most priceless dialog this side of an Elvis epic. Some examples: "Those are the kind of people who give motorcycling a BAD name!", "Are you boys gonna help out a damsel in distress, or just make like Marlon Brando?", and more! Chicks and dudes - you will dig this! This love story/musical/60s stoner drive-in delight highlights incredibly stupid acts of riding AND crime (PLEASE don't try these anywhere!). All this, and Wayne Cochran (aka "The King of Blue-eyed Soul"), too. Makes a great double bill with either "Roustabout", "Easy Rider", "On Any Sunday", or NFL highlights of the Jets when Joe was their star QB. Good thing he stuck to sports after this mostly-intentionally forgotten effort. At least the bikes are cool, and the locations are stunning in that vivid color they used back then. Oh, and A-M gets a song in there, too...I think.

I'm not an American, but I'm well aware of Joe Namath being a sporting legend. However, as an actor he stinks. He's very wooden and lacks charisma, and whoever decided to cast him as a biker was an idiot. Namath plays C.C. Ryder, a nice guy mechanic who runs with a biker gang "The Heads", led by Moon (biker movie legend William Smith). While he is accepted by most of the gang, he has an easy relationship with Moon, and once he becomes involved with a "straight" fashion reporter (Ann-Margaret) tensions mount, leading to a kidnapping. Namath as I said is lousy, and as 90% of the movie focuses on him, it makes it hard to stay interested. But Ann-Margaret is a babe, and even better William Smith is terrific. Smith plays a great bad ass, it's just a pity there wasn't more of him in the movie. As well as Smith watch 'C.C. and Company' to see Sid Haig and Bruce Glover as two of Smith's biker pals. These three talented character actors save the movie from being a complete turkey.

This is one of the best Biker-Movies ever. It has it all: heavy bikers, great action, good music, humor and a lot of sexy girls. Ann Margret and Jennifer Billingsley look really wonderful in their outfits. I think this was Joe Namaths film debut but the brilliant William Smith as Gangleader Moon steals everybody in the show. If you are a fan of those kind of movies, don't miss it!