Really Surprised!

good back-story, and good acting

After playing with our expectations, this turns out to be a very different sort of film.

The acting in this movie is really good.

Roger Corman and 1970s era New World strike again with this engaging formula hicksploitation action flick. Susan Howard ('Dallas'), Claudia Jennings ("Gator Bait"), and Maureen McCormick ('The Brady Bunch') play the Hammer sisters, whose moonshiner father (Fred Foresman) is killed by goons representing a big time sleazy criminal (William Conrad, 'Jake and the Fatman'). The gals are as tough and sassy as they are sexy, and prove to be formidable adversaries, especially when they team up with J.B. Johnson (John Saxon), a racing enthusiast and ace delivery man."Moonshine County Express" doesn't set out to reinvent the wheel, and shows that movies of this ilk do deliver the goods by scrupulously following a formula. The vehicular action is first rate, there are mild doses of sex (there's a hilarious "fishing" scene), and the movie is violent without ever getting particularly gory. It's all played with humour and panache, thanks to screenwriters Hugh Smith & Daniel Ansley, and director Gus Trikonis ("Nashville Girl", "The Evil"). What truly brings it to life is the work of a colourful and interesting cast. Saxon is an amiable hero (if maybe a tad too old for his role), Howard a strong and independent minded heroine, and Conrad is an effective bad guy. He's somewhat blustery, but Conrad never makes him a one-dimensional cartoon. Morgan Woodward ("Cool Hand Luke") is also a good villain, playing Conrads' primary thug. If you're a fan of Jennings, be aware that she doesn't get that much to do. McCormick is cute as the youngest of the gals. The cast is rounded out by other familiar faces like Jeff Corey ("In Cold Blood"), Dub Taylor ("The Wild Bunch"), Albert Salmi ("Empire of the Ants"), Len Lesser ('Seinfeld'), the lovely Candice Rialson ("Hollywood Boulevard") as a town floozy, and E.J. Andre ("Magic").Set to an irresistible bluegrass music score by Fred Werner, and shot by legendary B movie D.P. Gary Graver, this is a fun example of its genre, guaranteed to leave you with a smile on your face.Eight out of 10.

Moonshiner Pap Hammer gets bumped off by vicious rival Jack Starkey (robustly played to the slimy hateful hilt by William Conrad). Hammer's three spitfire daughters -- headstrong Dot (a fine'n'feisty performance by Susan Howard), sassy Betty (luminous 70's drive-in goddess Claudia Jennings), and perky Sissy (adorable Maureen McCormick, Marcia on "The Brady Bunch") -- join forces with ace stock car driver J.B. Johnson (a lively and likable portrayal by the always reliable John Saxon) to get revenge on Starkey.Director Gus Trikonis, working from a compact and eventful script by Hugh Smith and Daniel Ansley, keeps the entertaining story hurtling along at a snappy pace, presents a flavorsome downhome Southern-fried atmosphere, and stages the exciting vehicular action with rip-roaring gusto. Moreover, it's acted with zest by an excellent cast of familiar faces: Morgan Woodard as no-count flunky Sweetwater, Jeff Corey as drunken priest Hagen, Dub Taylor as the raucous Uncle Bill, Albert Salmi as bumbling Sheriff Larkin, Len Lesser as sleazy store owner Scoggins, and Candice Rialson as brash tart Mayella. Gary Graver's typically proficient cinematography provides an impressive polished look. Fred Werner's twangy score hits the sprightly harmonic spot. A really fun flick.

I have seen a John Saxon Film recently, was not MSCE (Moonshine County Express), but kept thinking about this film that I foundly remember from the 70s when I seen him recently. I came to IMDB to do a search to see if I could find the name of the film(found it here) to see about buying it on DVD, but to no avail, not even on VHS! That is awful :-( Couple fun things about the film, Three pretty sisters, One of them always using dynamite to blow up things, I think it was Maureen McCormick, and Claudia Jennnings being the brains of the three I think. John Saxon drives a muscle car, a cherry red Dodge Challenger, a real sweet car. A buddy of mine used to own one down the street from me at the time I seen this back in the late 70s. Hopefully, this gem will come out on DVD soon. If you like this film, you may also like "Duel", Steven Spielbergs first film.

i thought this was a pretty enjoyable film.3 pretty country sisters discover their murdered fathers moonshine stash and decide to cash in.they have to battle local crooks who don't want the competition.not too much plot(this ain't the godfather!) but Maureen McCormick aka Marcia Brady is absolutely beautiful and very sexy as the wild daughter in this seldom seen and hard to find film.