Grand Theft Auto (1977)

25% of critics liked it
(12 reviews)
35% of users liked it
(2,253 ratings)

In exchange for being allowed to make his directorial debut in Grand Theft Auto, Ron Howard agreed to take no salary as a director, merely as star and co-screenwriter (with his dad Rance). The plot finds Sam Freeman (Howard) eloping with his heiress girlfriend Paula Powers (Nancy Morgan). Her… More In exchange for being allowed to make his directorial debut in Grand Theft Auto, Ron Howard agreed to take no salary as a director, merely as star and co-screenwriter (with his dad Rance). The plot finds Sam Freeman (Howard) eloping with his heiress girlfriend Paula Powers (Nancy Morgan). Her mob-connected dad Bigby Powers (Barry Cahill) vehemently opposes the marriage, and isn't about to change his mind now that Sam has stolen his Rolls-Royce and sped off to Las Vegas with his daughter in tow. Marion Ross, Howard's Happy Days mom, turns in an offbeat supporting characterization. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 29 min.
Directed By: Ron Howard
Written By: Ron Howard
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Comedy

In Theaters: Jun 16, 1977 Limited
On DVD: Nov 21, 2006
Studio: New World Pictures

Critic Reviews

David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...runs out of steam long before it reaches its crowd-pleasing conclusion.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Below average car-chase comedy.
Felix Gonzalez Jr., DVD Review
This is a perennial for fans of Roger Corman.
Felix Gonzalez Jr., DVD Review
This is by no means a terrible movie, but I think we can all be thankful that Howard got this out of his system early on.
Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com
Yee-ha! Catch it as early Ron Howard directing; otherwise forget it.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
...simpleminded, knuckleheaded nonsense that drifts good-naturedly from one disaster to the next, with little nuance or subtlety.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
...eighty-four minutes never felt like so long a ride.
Nell Minow, Movie Mom at Yahoo! Movies
Unpretentious fun from a soon-to-be-great director
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
Perfectly entertaining car-smash entertainment.

Read all 9 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

An action comedy involving car chasing and crashes of all kinds, but it also has a great, funny story. I really liked this movie, it's entertaining and enjoyable.
Christopher O

Ron Howard's directorial debut is as messy as the 500 cars destroyed in a pointless car comedy about a millionaire's daughter running to Vegas with her simple boyfriend played by Ron Howard. The acting is one dimensional and the action is pointless and repetitive after… More
Ron Howard's directorial debut is as messy as the 500 cars destroyed in a pointless car comedy about a millionaire's daughter running to Vegas with her simple boyfriend played by Ron Howard. The acting is one dimensional and the action is pointless and repetitive after awhile, thank god it is only 80 minutes and thank goodness Howard has redeemed himself many times over with better films. This was one of the most popular films in drive in history for no good reason.

Cast

            Ron Howard as Sam Freeman

            Nancy Morgan as Paula Powers

            Marion Ross as Vivian Hedgeworth

            Peter Isacksen as Sparky

            Barry Cahill as Bigby Powers

            Hoke Howell as Preacher

            Elizabeth Rogers as Priscilla Powers

            Paul Linke as Collins Hedgeworth

            Clint Howard as Ace

            Paul Bartel as Groom

            Larry Cruickshank as Elder Spokesman

            Gene Hartline as Gas Station Attendant

            Rance Howard as Ned Stinker

            Ken Lerner as Benny

            Jack Perkins as Shadley

            James Ritz as Officer Tad

            Leo Rossi as Sal

            Don Steele as Curley Q. Brown

            Garry Marshall as Underworld Boss

            George Waggner as Camera Operator

            Todd McCarthy as Reporter

            Jim Begg as Businessman

            Wayne Goodwin as Mysterious Man

            Bill Conklin as Engle Hingleman

            Ancel Cook as Dink

            Eddie Mulder as Derby Drivers

            Tom Waters as Lester

            Bob Watson as Minister

            Rick Seaman as Max Hingleman

            Lew Brown as Jack Klepper
See full cast