The Last American Hero

The Last American Hero (also known as Hard Driver) is a 1973 sports drama film based on the true story of American NASCAR driver Junior Johnson. Directed by Lamont Johnson, it stars Jeff Bridges as Junior Jackson, the character based on Johnson.

Contents

• The last american hero
• The last american hero part 1
• Plot summary
• Cast
• References

The film is based on Tom Wolfe's essay "The Last American Hero Is Junior Johnson. Yes!", which was first published in Esquire magazine in March 1965 and included in his debut collection of essays, The Kandy-Kolored Tangerine-Flake Streamline Baby, later that year. The film was favorably reviewed by Pauline Kael in The New Yorker, even though The New Yorker had a long-standing feud with Wolfe.

The film's theme song, "I Got a Name", sung by Jim Croce, became a best-selling single.

Plot summary

Junior Jackson (Jeff Bridges), a stock-car driver stays one step ahead of reform school until his father (Art Lund) is thrown in prison for moonshining. Seeing the error of his ways, Jackson begins to concentrate on his driving skills, hoping to become a professional stock car racer to raise money to get his father released from jail.

Cast

Jeff Bridges as Elroy Jackson, Jr.

Valerie Perrine as Marge

Geraldine Fitzgerald as Mrs Jackson

Ned Beatty as Hackel

Gary Busey as Wayne Jackson

Art Lund as Elroy Jackson, Sr.

Ed Lauter as Burton Colt

William Smith II as Kyle Kingman

Gregory Walcott as Morley

Tom Ligon as Lamar

Ernie Orsatti as Davie Baer

Erica Hagen as Trina

James Murphy as Spud

Lane Smith as Rick Penny