Gator (1976, Burt Reynolds, Lauren Hutton)

Published

5 years ago

December 30, 2018

In prime era Burt Reynolds movie Gator, after his release from prison, notorious ex-con and moonshine distiller Gator McKlusky moves in with his father in a cabin in the Okefenokee Swamp. His bootlegging plans are cut short, however, when a federal agent tells McKlusky that he will lose custody of his 9-year-old daughter unless he helps bring down local crime lord Bama McCall. McKlusky decides to enlist the help of reporter Aggie Maybank and a few local eccentrics to bring down McCall’s empire.

Gator was Burt’s first big screen directing credit (but he had previously directed an episode of his 1960’s series Hawk) and he would go to helm three other movies, The End in 1978, Sharky’s Machine in 1981 and Stick in 1985 as well as various TV Movies and episodes.

production details
USA | 115 minutes | 1976

Director: Burt Reynolds
Script: William W. Norton

cast
Burt Reynolds as Gator McKlusky
Lauren Hutton as Agatha Weedow “Aggie” Maybank
Jerry Reed as Bama McCall
Dub Taylor as Mayor T.L. Caffery
Burton Gilliam as Smiley
Jack Weston as Irving Greenfield
Alice Ghostley as Emmeline Cavanaugh
Mike Douglas as The Governor
William Engesser as Bones
John Steadman as Ned McKlusky
Lori Futch as Suzie McKlusky
Stephanie Burchfield as Young Girl