🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: John Hough
- Genre: Action, Crime, Thriller
- Release year: 1974
- Runtime (length): 1h 33min
- IMDb rating: 6.6/10 (8.3K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 67%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Two guys and a blonde rob a grocery store to buy a race car, and then a train says, ‘Nope!’
🍿 Dirty Mary Crazy Larry: Detailed Plot Synopsis
The Heist
Larry Rayder, a wannabe NASCAR driver, and Deke Sommers, his mechanic, are desperate for cash to build a winning race car. They concoct a plan to rob a supermarket managed by George Stanton. Deke holds Stanton’s family hostage while Larry goes to the store to collect the money. Their carefully laid plans hit a snag when Mary Coombs, a one-night stand of Larry’s, unexpectedly joins their getaway. Mary, unhappy about being ditched, forces her way into their escape, adding a volatile element to their already risky situation.

The Chase Begins
With Mary now in tow, Larry and Deke find themselves on the run from the relentless Sheriff Everett Franklin. They utilize a police scanner to stay one step ahead, navigating treacherous back roads and outmaneuvering pursuing officers. The trio switches vehicles, trading their initial Chevrolet for a distinctive lime green Dodge Charger to increase their chances of evading capture. The chase intensifies as Sheriff Franklin grows more determined, employing increasingly desperate tactics to apprehend them.

Escalating Stakes
The stakes rise as Sheriff Franklin takes to the skies in a helicopter, attempting to corner Larry, Deke, and Mary. Mary uses her wits, impersonating a dispatcher to throw off the police and create a diversion. However, their luck begins to run thin. Despite their cunning and Larry’s driving skills, the relentless pursuit takes its toll. Tensions within the group escalate, leading to infighting and near misses. The chase becomes a desperate fight for survival with no clear path to escape.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Larry (Peter Fonda): A reckless and ambitious aspiring NASCAR driver who robs a supermarket to fund his racing dreams.
- Mary Coombs (Susan George): Larry’s stubborn one-night stand who unexpectedly joins the getaway, complicating their escape.
- Deke (Adam Roarke): Larry’s loyal mechanic and accomplice, who provides the brains and technical expertise for their criminal endeavor.
- Everett Franklin (Kenneth Tobey): A determined and unorthodox sheriff relentlessly pursuing Larry, Mary, and Deke.
- Carl Donahue (Kenneth Tobey): Sheriff Everett Franklin’s superior and police officer.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Hanks: “I’m gonna eat your lunch, you long-haired faggot!” – Shouted by a pursuing police officer during a high-speed car chase, showcasing the raw and aggressive tone of the film.
- Larry: “Speed is expensive.” – Larry states it to Deke at the beginning of the movie, hinting at the lengths they’ll go to for racing success, foreshadowing the robbery.
- Franklin: “See if you can get the word ‘son of a bitch’ in print.” – Franklin tells this to a reporter over the phone, highlighting his abrasive personality and disregard for protocol.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $1.14M
- Domestic Gross: Unknown
- Worldwide Gross: Unknown
💥 Dirty Mary Crazy Larry Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, ‘Dirty Mary Crazy Larry’ is a total blast from the past! I remember seeing this on late-night TV as a kid and being blown away by the car chases. Peter Fonda is so cool as Larry, and Susan George is sassy and awesome. That ending, though! I never saw it coming and it left me speechless. It’s a fun, wild ride with a dark twist that you just don’t expect. Classic!
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of classic car chase movies”
- “Viewers who appreciate 1970s cinema”
- “Those looking for a fast-paced, action-packed film with a shocking ending”
- “People interested in automotive stunts and classic cars”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Violence (car crashes, implied threats)”
- “Mild language”
- “Brief scenes of implied sexual content”
- “Sudden and tragic ending may be disturbing to some viewers”
Professional Reviews
- Variety: “A relentless car chase movie with a nihilistic streak. Fonda is suitably manic, and George holds her own as the troublesome Mary. The ending is shocking and unforgettable.
- AllMovie: “A stylish and gripping thriller featuring some incredible driving stunts and a bleak, unexpected ending. The chemistry between Fonda and George is palpable.
- TV Guide: “This car chase film delivers exactly what it promises: non-stop action and vehicular mayhem. The plot is thin, but the stunts are impressive.
Audience Reactions
The car chases are intense and well-choreographed.: Viewers love the non-stop action and thrilling stunts.
The ending is shocking and unexpected.: The film’s dark and nihilistic conclusion is a memorable talking point.
Overall Consensus: A fast-paced, action-packed car chase movie with a surprising and nihilistic ending, ‘Dirty Mary Crazy Larry’ is a cult classic that remains entertaining despite its thin plot.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Vic Morrow insisted on a $1 million life insurance policy before filming any scenes involving the helicopter due to a premonition he had about dying in a helicopter crash. Tragically, he died in a helicopter accident years later.”
- “The film has no incidental music, which creates a stark and realistic atmosphere during the chase sequences.”
- “Several scenes cut from the original theatrical release were re-inserted for some television cuts of the film, including a scene in the walnut grove after the collision with the fruit truck where Mary chides Larry about not being literate enough to understand a quote from a book.”
🖥️ How to Watch Dirty Mary Crazy Larry?
Currently, ‘Dirty Mary Crazy Larry’ is available for purchase on platforms like Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV. Check these streaming services for rental options. Unfortunately, at this time, the movie is not available for streaming on any subscription-based platforms.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Dirty Mary Crazy Larry, you might like these similar films:
- Vanishing Point (1971): Both films feature intense car chases, anti-hero protagonists, and a counter-culture vibe, exploring themes of freedom and rebellion.
- Smokey and the Bandit (1977): A lighter, more comedic take on the car chase genre, but shares the same high-octane energy and Southern setting.
- The Driver (1978): A stylish and minimalist crime thriller focusing on a getaway driver, sharing the emphasis on driving skill and suspenseful chases.
- Baby Driver (2017): A modern crime film centered around a skilled driver, known for its meticulously choreographed car chases and soundtrack.
🛒 Dirty Mary Crazy Larry Related Products
- 1969 Dodge Charger R/T – Dirty Mary Crazy Larry – 1/18 Scale Diecast Model: A detailed 1/18 scale diecast model of the iconic 1969 Dodge Charger R/T featured in the movie. Perfect for collectors and fans of classic muscle cars.
- Dirty Mary Crazy Larry Movie Poster – Vintage Style: A high-quality reproduction of the original movie poster. Great for decorating a home theater or fan cave.
- Peter Fonda – Autographed Photo: A professionally printed photograph of Peter Fonda, autographed.
🎧 Soundtrack
Dirty Mary Crazy Larry features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
‘Dirty Mary Crazy Larry’ is a 1974 action film about two aspiring racers who rob a supermarket to finance their racing dreams. Their escape is complicated when a woman unexpectedly joins them, leading to a high-speed chase with the police.
The main actors are Peter Fonda as Larry Rayder, Susan George as Mary Coombs, and Adam Roarke as Deke Sommers. Vic Morrow plays Sheriff Everett Franklin, the determined lawman pursuing them.
As of now, ‘Dirty Mary Crazy Larry’ is available for purchase on platforms like Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV. Check these streaming services for rental options. It is not currently available on subscription-based streaming services.
The ending is abrupt and tragic. After successfully evading the police for most of the film, the main characters are suddenly killed in a collision with a train, subverting the typical happy ending expected in similar films.
🔥 Bonus Content
DIRTY MARY CRAZY LARRY Film Locations Revisited 1973 – 2010 part 1 of 2
Ever wondered what the filming locations from ‘Dirty Mary Crazy Larry’ look like today? This video takes you on a trip back in time and shows you exactly that. It’s pretty cool to see how much (or how little) things have changed!
Dirty Mary Crazy Larry ‘Breakdown’ Ep-06 (Brake Downs)
Want to know all the juicy details behind the making of ‘Dirty Mary Crazy Larry’? This documentary dives deep into the history, stunts, and impact of this cult classic. Trust me, you’ll learn something new!
This STRANGE REQUEST while filming “DIRTY MARY CRAZY LARRY” seemed absurd until this happened!
You won’t believe this crazy story about a request made during the filming of ‘Dirty Mary Crazy Larry’ and how it eerily came true later in life. It’s a bit spooky but totally fascinating!
My Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry Charger Replica
Check out this awesome fan-made replica of the iconic Dodge Charger from ‘Dirty Mary Crazy Larry’! It’s amazing to see the dedication some fans have, and this car is seriously impressive.
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