On a long-distance train trip, a man finds romance but also finds himself in danger of being killed, or at least pushed off the train.
Plot
"Silver Streak" is a 1976 comedy-thriller film directed by Arthur Hiller and starring Gene Wilder, Jill Clayburgh, and Richard Pryor. The film combines elements of comedy, suspense, and action.
George Caldwell (Wilder) is a book editor who boards the Silver Streak, a luxurious train traveling from Los Angeles to Chicago. During the journey, George witnesses a murder in a compartment on the train, but the authorities dismiss his claims, believing him to be overreacting or hallucinating.
As George tries to investigate the murder on his own, he encounters Hilly Burns (Clayburgh), a secretary, and Grover T. Muldoon (Pryor), a thief. Together, they become embroiled in a conspiracy involving art forgery, political corruption, and attempts to silence anyone who knows too much.
The film follows George's attempts to expose the criminals and prove the murder he witnessed was real. The story involves suspenseful moments, comedy, and a mix of mistaken identities, chases, and narrow escapes. The chemistry between Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor adds a layer of humor to the overall thriller plot.
Silver Streak was a commercial success and marked the first collaboration between Wilder and Pryor, who would go on to work together in several other films. Their on-screen partnership became iconic in the world of comedy.
Trailer
Cast
- Gene Wilder as George Caldwell
- Jill Clayburgh as Hildegarde "Hilly" Burns
- Richard Pryor as Grover T. Muldoon
- Patrick McGoohan as Roger Devereau
- Ned Beatty as FBI Agent Bob Stevens / Bob Sweetsary
- Clifton James as Sheriff Oliver Chauncey
- Gordon Hurst as Deputy "Moose"
- Ray Walston as Edgar Whiney
- Scatman Crothers as Porter Ralston
- Len Birman as FBI Agent Donaldson
- Lucille Benson as Rita Babtree
- Stefan Gierasch as Professor Arthur Schreiner / Johnson
- Valerie Curtin as Plain Jane
- Richard Kiel as Reace
- Fred Willard as Jerry Jarvis
- Ed McNamara as Benny
- Henry Beckman as Conventioneer
- Harvey Atkin as Conventioneer
Release Year: 1976
Genre: Action, Comedy, Crime
IMDb Rating: 6.9/10
Runtime: 1h 54m
Director: Arthur Hiller
Writer: Colin Higgins
Review
"Best teaming of Wilder and Pryor."
"I see Silver Streak as a mild Hitchcock parody that is a nice little blend of comedy and mystery. Gene Wilder, while not at his absolute best, impresses nonetheless here. Jill Clayburgh is credible as the love interest. Yes, it is the first film in which Wilder teamed with Richard Pryor, yet Wilder and Pryor are only together for a small percentage of the overall film. The film, though, has a strong enough foundation in terms of story and performances to where Pryor and Wilder do not really need to be together throughout. In fact, this is their best teaming ever despite that fact. To top it all off, the ending is a rather exciting one. A definite worthwhile watch."
Did You Know
- Originally meant to be filmed in the United States. However, the National Rail Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) was fearful of adverse publicity, and refused to cooperate. As a result, the producers were forced to work with the Canadian Pacific Railway, using thinly disguised CPRail equipment and shooting exteriors along the CP Rail right-of-way.
Trivia
- As George and Grover arrive in "Kansas City," a long shot of the city clearly shows the Calgary Tower, a unique and unmistakable landmark with no equivalent in Kansas City.
Box Office
- Budget: $6,500,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada: $51,079,064
- Gross Worldwide: $51,079,064
- Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 4 nominations total
Technical Specs
- Runtime: 1 hour 54 minutes
- Color: Color
- Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
More Information
- Release Date: December 3, 1976 (United States)
- Filming locations: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
