Thunder and Lightning

Plot

The plot involves moonshine runners in Florida who are trying to stay independent in the face of attempts by organized crime to take over their business.

Cast

Main

David Carradine as Harley Thomas

Kate Jackson as Nancy Sue Hunnicutt

Sterling Holloway as Hobe Carpenter

Patrick Cranshaw as Taylor

Charles Napier as Jim Bob

George Murdock as Jake Summers

Ron Feinberg as Bubba

Supporting

Roger C. Carmel as Ralph Junior Hunnicutt

Hope Pomerance as Mrs. Hunnicutt

Eddie Barth as Rudi Volpone (credited as Ed Barth)

Malcolm Jones as Rainey

Charles Willeford as Bartender

Christopher Raynolds as Scooter

Claude Earl Jones as Carl (credited as Claude Jones)

Emilio Rivera as Honeydew Driver

Cameo appearance/uncredited

Richard Holden as Race Announcer

Production

At one stage the film was reportedly going to star Susan George and Roger Corman met with Jimmy Connors about playing the male lead. Carradine signed in March 1976. Kate Jackson was known for The Rookies and made the film while on hiatus from that series. She had also just made the pilot for Charlie's Angels.

The script was originally set in Georgia but was relocated to the Florida Everglades in order to take advantage of the beauty of that area.

It was Sterling Holloway's final film role.

Charles Willeford worked as location manager.

It was Roger Corman's last of four films produced for 20th Century Fox (the others were Fighting Mad, Capone and Moving Violation).

Lewis Teague did second unit.

Reception

The film was popular and Corey Allen worked for Corman again on Avalanche (1978).