Little Fauss and Big Halsey (1970)

Going back a bit here, but I always liked this great flick about the early days of motorcycle racing. Robert Redford plays an arrogant, superficial racer who teams up with and uses a shy mechanic (Micheal J.Pollard). I always remembered it for some reason . Music by Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins. This is reputed to be Redford's least favorite of all his films. I guess he hasn't viewed Legal Eagles in a while... It would make a great double feature with Downhill Racer. Tough to find, but if you ever see it on cable late at night, stay up and watch, it's worth it. Anyone remember this one?

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*by the way, it is spelled HALSY, without an E.




Seen it multiple times, and I own a copy. It is a weird little flick and couldn't be more dated, totally bizarre and unlikeable role for Redford to have chosen, but yeah, I groove to what it is. Plus I'm madly in lust with Lauren Hutton, which helps.

I think the soundtrack with an original song by Johnny Cash ("The Ballad of Little Fauss and Big Halsy") is much better known today by his fans than the movie it was attached to. The soundtrack also had originals by Bob Dylan and Carl Perkins.

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"Film is a disease. When it infects your bloodstream it takes over as the number one hormone. It bosses the enzymes, directs the pineal gland, plays Iago to your psyche. As with heroin, the antidote to Film is more Film." - Frank Capra

How can you not get a thumbs up for owning that movie?

This is a real forgotten gem from the early seventies. Redford gives one of his best performances as a cold-hearted motorcycle racer. Director Furie, always strong on visual appeal, makes the most of this tale of a loser who fools no one with his easy charm. The supporting cast is fine, particularly Hutton and Pollard. Depressing, with a ring of truth to the characterizations; you won't soon forget Redford's sad smile at the climax of the film. First rate.

Me, I didn't like it. Michael J.Pollard is a real one note actor. He was great in Bonnie and Clyde, but every movie he made after that is the same damn performance. I saw him recently in some lousy movie where he was old and he's still doing the same thing. Great grinner and giggler.

Yep. An old favorite of mine, too.

Not least because Redford's character's qualities are so close to the actor's and the sense of schadenfreude at his comeuppance the more enjoyable for the association!