Several misfits decide to restore a PBY flying boat and fly to a place where they can enjoy total freedom but a few obstacles hamper their plans.Several misfits decide to restore a PBY flying boat and fly to a place where they can enjoy total freedom but a few obstacles hamper their plans.Several misfits decide to restore a PBY flying boat and fly to a place where they can enjoy total freedom but a few obstacles hamper their plans.
- Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award
- 1 nomination total
- Rocky
- (as Dan Barrows)
- Rookie Cop
- (as Edward Greenberg)
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe movie was actually filmed in 1971 shortly after Jane Fonda and Donald Sutherland had co-starred in the very different picture Klute (1971). The production required re-shoots and had a few delays and was not released anywhere until 1973. Fonda and Sutherland, who briefly had a real-life personal relationship around that time, were also both involved in "The FTA Show", a wartime entertainment gig which toured towns in the USA which had military bases nearby. The show was a satirical event protesting the Vietnam War. Several other people connected with 'Steelyard Blues' were also involved and this notably included actor Peter Boyle. The three also had just appeared in a feature film version of the show [See: FTA (1972)].
- GoofsDuring the scene at the airfield when Eagle is dressed as a soldier and is shooting arrows, he is heard saying "Up yours, Kraut!" but his lip movements clearly don't match the "up yours" part.
- Quotes
Frank Veldin: I need to talk over a couple things with you. You layin' off the cars?
Jesse Veldini: Yeah, for a while. Thought I'd get my old job with the wrecking crew back first, do some straight work for a while, till I get enough to open my own pack. Then you're gonna' see something, Frank. Not just your average, small-time fender dentin', hell no! We're gonna' do *real* demolition! And we're not gonna' just limit ourselves to cars, no sir! We're gonna' bring in campers... tractors... Dump trucks, school buses. Grain threshers - anything you want. And then when we get goin' good, then we're bringin' in the best of all: mobile homes! Can't you just see those two mothers mashin' into each other? Woooh!
Frank Veldin: [unimpressed] God damn it Jessie, sit down.
- Crazy creditsThe Committee is in the opening cast list
- Alternate versionsWhen originally broadcast on NBC in 1979, the film was retitled "The Final Crash".
- ConnectionsReferenced in A Decade Under the Influence (2003)
- SoundtracksBeing Different Never Been a Crime
Written by Nick Gravenites and Mike Bloomfield (as Michael Bloomfield)
"Steelyard Blues" was shot in 1971, but not released until 1973. Sutherland & Fonda were an item after the success of "Klute" (1971), but this one understandably failed at the box office and fell into obscurity. It's a drama with amusing touches and not a comedy; although it could be described as a black comedy. It tries to be the early 70's follow-up to iconic counterculture flicks like "Easy Rider" (1969).
In any case, it starts shaky and I was concerned that I had stumbled upon a real dog, but it thankfully finds its footing by the second act as the characters are fleshed out. I suddenly found myself involved in their story. Boyle goes over-the-top to entertain and his Brando scene is a highlight. Another good sequence involves the successful brother (Hesseman) and his 'loser' sibling (Sutherland) having a melee in a cell.
Meanwhile, Fonda's character is a turn-off, but that's just me. The movie was released during the height of the backlash over her 1972 trip to North Vietnam earned her the nickname Hanoi Jane.
The notable soundtrack fittingly features rockin' country blues by variations of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, then known as Better Days; featuring Nick Gravenites and Mike Bloomfield, as well as Maria Muldaur.
The movie runs 1 hour, 33 minutes, and was shot in Oakland, California, & places nearby.
GRADE: C+
- Wuchakk
- Nov 29, 2020
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Details
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $20,000
- Runtime1 hour 33 minutes
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1