Smokey and the Bandit (1977): 26 Things You Never Knew!

Welcome back, movie lovers! Today, we’re diving into the world of Smokey and the Bandit, the iconic 1977 comedy that brought us high-speed chases, unforgettable characters, and plenty of laughs. From the daring escapades of Bandit and Snowman to Sheriff Buford T. Justice’s hilarious antics, this film has become a timeless classic. But how much do you really know about what went on behind the scenes? Stick around as we explore 26 little-known facts about Smokey and the Bandit—from casting controversies to improvisational genius and everything in between. Let’s hit the road!

#SmokeyAndTheBandit #BehindTheScenes #MovieFacts #BurtReynolds #PontiacTransAm #ClassicCinema #1977Movies #JackieGleason #SallyField #comedyclassics

00:00 Introduction
01:03 1. The Cultural Shift It Represented
01:55 2. The Inspiration Behind the Plot
04:43 3. Burt Reynolds’ Friends Objected to His Role
07:38 4. The Role of Southern Culture
08:06 5. Jerry Reed’s Recasting as Snowman
08:21 6. Its Impact on the Buddy Movie Genre
08:46 7. Sally Field Took the Role to Reshape Her Image
09:15 8. Challenges with Securing Cars for the Film
09:37 9. Influence on Stunt Work in Hollywood
10:05 10. Modified Engine for Stunts
10:22 11. The TransAm’s Sound Effects Came from Another Car
10:30 12. Budget Cuts Before Production Began
10:53 13. Fred the Dog Was Cast Locally
11:10 14. Sheriff Buford T. Justice Was Inspired by Real Life
11:29 15. Jackie Gleason’s Improvisational Genius
15:03 16. Jackie Gleason’s Code for Bourbon
15:16 17. Changes from the Original Screenplay
15:37 18. Junior Was Jackie Gleason’s Idea
15:55 19. Jerry Reed’s Last-Minute Song Contribution
16:17 20. Alfred Hitchcock Loved the Film
16:35 21. Box Office Success and Pop Culture Impact
20:14 22. Audience Reception at the Time
20:42 23. Burt Reynolds’ TransAm Was Auctioned
20:59 24. Merchandise and Fan Memorabilia
21:17 25. Censored Dialogue for Television
24:16 26. Enduring Legacy of "Smokey and the Bandit

[Impalaman]

Saw this in the theatre when it came out, I was 9 years old then, and still to this day I don't think that I've ever laughed that hard in a movie theatre as I did seeing this for the first time. The whole audience stood and gave it a standing ovation when it was over! One of my all time favorite movies.

[jamesa.]

I absolutely LOVED This Movie! Saw it at least 10 Times in the theater.

[OnlyTheStrongSurvies]

I was born in '85 and grew up on this classic. It was one of my granny's favorite movies. R.I.P Burt Reynolds Jerry Reed and Jackie Gleason 🕊🙏🏽

[mmats]

47 years later and just this weekend I watched all 3 movies again, showing it to friends that never knew about this movie and they had so much fun watching it.

[michaelloach]

Brilliant film when I was a no way way you came from my

[rgfisher]

Why does every story line involving Smokey and the Bandit always say that the toilet paper was stuck to Gleason's shoe. It is obvious in the movie that it was stuck to his sunglasses. Honestly, don't you guys even look at the movies you report on.

[brentvance]

Why are you showing scenes from part 2.

[anonymuswere]

you forgot a couple things. the reason for the bootlegging level of coors was because Anhieser-Busch and Coors had a gentlemen's agreement not to compete in each other's markets, as well. also, people tend to forget that the REASON they hired the VA of free flinstone for the TV censoring is that The Flinstones series was actually *expies* of Gleason's "The Honeymooners" cast to begin with. also, one of the cars that Snowman crashes into to get to the racetrack at the end had an airbag prototype in it...and it didn't go off!

[twoblacklabs]

I actually LOVED seeing Smokey and the Bandit in the theater MORE than watching Star Wars, and I really love Star Wars!

[kimrice]

Scum bum is probably the best tv edit ever! I never even thought twice about the sheriff saying this. Working an 1/8 scale model Firebird turned functional RC right now.

[Chaotic-Demise]

Back when movies were actual movies. Smokey & the Bandit will never get too old to watch, that's just me!😅
And not to mention, I was born in '77.

[BenjaminBaker]

This film is one of my earliest and fondest memories as a child, so impressed by it I named my first son after the Bandits character name.

[JamesWoodring-muiz]

lol back in 1978 at a local party here in western nc. the dude hosting the fest had a 10 year old coors sitting on a shelf! after much drunken bantering and triple dog dares, i won the prize! puking is a understatement! thanks for the memories!

[nimblehealer]

I'll have a Diablo sammich, a Dr. Pepper and make it fast, I'm in a GD hurry. In the DVD copy of the trilogy, in the scene where the trooper is telling Buford that he couldn't drive his wrecked police car on the highway, Buford says FO to the trooper after accepting the apology, has a truck horn censoring the words.

[leonardvicari]

I prefer the theatrical dialogue of sheriff Justice I saw smokey and the bandit when I was eleven years old at the movies pure hilarity I love this movie a comedy classic.

[JonfromsunnysarasotaFl]

I was 6 years old lol 😂 when I seen this at the movie theater. It was my birthday my child hood friends went with my mom and dad and also McDonald’s was for dinner.

[KurtCochran-wl]

Alligator: Don't forget to call your wife tonight.
Smokey: Who are you? Her brother?
Alligator: No, I'm an alligator. Not a crocodile.

[krispoli]

My ex sister-in-law lived in Oklahoma and every time we visted we had to bring her some Texas beer. Oklahoma beer is less % by volume.

[oldmansilas]

Jackie’s, lack of respect for the law, line. Was probably inspired by the similar line from, Cool hand Luke. Additionally, the movie reintroduced Jackie to a new audience.

[garyalfrey]

I dated a girl who work in a movie theater waited on her to get off work seen that movie every night for about 4 weeks it was held over pretty much no every line by heart. M y wife now laffs i still watch it couple times a year along with cheech n chongs up in smoke. good times