In 1958, Clarksberg was a famous speed trap town. Much revenue was generated by the Sheriff's Department catching speeders. The ones who tried to outrun the Sheriff? Well, that gave the Sheriff a chance to push them off the Clarksberg Curve with his Plymouth cruiser. For example, in the beginning of the movie, a couple of servicemen on leave trying to get back to base on time are pushed off to their deaths, if I recall correctly. Then one day, a stranger drove into town. Possibly the coolest hot rodder in the world. Michael McCord. Even his name is a car name, as in McCord gaskets. In possibly the ultimate hot rod. A black flamed '34 Ford coupe. The colors of death, evil and hellfire. He gets picked up for speeding by the Sheriff on purpose. He checks out the lay of the land. He is the brother of one of the Sheriff's victims. He knows how his brother died. The Clarksberg government is all in favor of the Sheriff. There's only one way to get justice served for the killing of his brother and to fix things so "this ain't a-ever gonna happen again to anyone": recreate the chase and settle the contest hot-rodder style to the death. He goes out to the Curve and practices. The Sheriff knows McCord knows. The race begins... This is a movie to be remembered by anyone who ever tried to master maneuvering on a certain stretch of road.
19 Reviews
Cool!
GOWBTW6 January 2013
Speed traps, they can be a pain. But for a sheriff in a California town, it can be lethal. Getting a ticket is bad enough, but what this lawman does, it's even worse. 1958, Clarksburg, California, there's a curve known for high speed traps. And if you're not careful, you will get popped. That's what happened to some Navy men one day. But rather than getting pulled over, they get run off the cliff by the sheriff. In comes a stranger in a 1934 Ford coupe hot rod who would later challenge the sheriff. It turned out that the stranger is the brother of the Navy sailor killed in the accident. And speaking of accidents, the sheriff lost his family in one which made him totally unhinged. The sheriff really crossed the line when he chased the brother of the town mechanic and ran him off the road. Now with two angry brothers, it's time for the ultimate showdown. After spending time adjusting his car to that curve, he really puts it to the test. As for that sheriff, just say justice has been served. Martin Sheen plays it cool, Michelle Phillips shined on as the café worker. And Vic Morrow did well as the "bully with the badge". A very cool TV movie there!
it started a new kind of custom
trashgang24 January 2018
To be honest it's not really a classic, even as the acting is above mediocre it is too slow to stand up nowadays. On the other hand for those out there who love old American cars it's a must see because the '34 Ford that's been driven by Martin Sheen became a classic in the custom world.
The story itself is easy piecy. Two marines die in a car crash, and suddenly in the small town with a dominating sherriff (Vic Morrow) Michael McCord (Martin Sheen) arrib-ves to investigate what happened. You can see from miles what is happening.
There's also a young Nick Nolte to see as a wrecking yard holder. This flick was a pure TV movie back then. If you can stand the slow moving story then it's worth picking uo for the '34 Ford and the '57 Plymouth police cruiser.
Worth noting is that Laurie Bird has a main lead, she was the girlfriend of Art Garfunkel but made suicide in '79.
Gore 0/5 Nudity 0/5 Effects 0/5 Story 2,5/5 Comedy 0/5
The story itself is easy piecy. Two marines die in a car crash, and suddenly in the small town with a dominating sherriff (Vic Morrow) Michael McCord (Martin Sheen) arrib-ves to investigate what happened. You can see from miles what is happening.
There's also a young Nick Nolte to see as a wrecking yard holder. This flick was a pure TV movie back then. If you can stand the slow moving story then it's worth picking uo for the '34 Ford and the '57 Plymouth police cruiser.
Worth noting is that Laurie Bird has a main lead, she was the girlfriend of Art Garfunkel but made suicide in '79.
Gore 0/5 Nudity 0/5 Effects 0/5 Story 2,5/5 Comedy 0/5
Too laid back for its own good
Wizard-818 May 2015
Warning: Spoilers
I decided to rent this movie because of its interesting cast and also because the 1970s was the golden age of the made for TV movie. But as the end credits started to roll, I felt kind of let down by what I had just seen. Don't get me wrong - this isn't a terrible or merely bad movie. Vic Morrow is good as the villain, and what's really interesting is that the script doesn't make his character a COMPLETE creep - we learn he has a trauma in his past. And Martin Sheen does well as a laid back protagonist. In fact, pretty much the entire movie is very laid back, and that's the problem. There is no grit, no feeling of tension, and what happens in the climax is telegraphed so early on that there is no surprise when it actually happens. There's also very little action during the entire 74 minute running length to liven things up. More often than not this car movie seems to be just spinning its wheels. I've seen worse, but the movie lacks enough spark to be a real grabber.
Better Than Your Average Made For TV Movie
Ed-Shullivan21 October 2013
The executive producer Paul Mason was very fortunate to have acquired such a talented group of actors for this made for TV movie back in 1974. You won't get any better than Nick Nolte, Martin Sheen and Vic Morrow joining forces in this low budget movie. I quite enjoyed the drama and the action that The California Kid presented using the small town of Clarksberg as the back drop for the movie in 1958.
The Sheriff Roy Childress is played by Vic Morrow whose salary is drawn by how much the judge can fine the unsuspecting visitors who go over the posted speed limit even by 5 miles per hour. And if the speedsters try and avoid capture, well Vic Morrow just runs them off the cliff as they attempt to allude capture and make the state border.
A lot of the interaction takes place at the local town restaurant where the waitress Maggie played by Michelle Phillips serves the best hot coffee in town. Then one day a hot rodder named Michael McCord played by Martin Sheen comes driving in to town. We soon find out that Mr. McCord is not in town by accident, but seeking answers as to how is brother died falling over a cliff outside of town while driving with a friend.
Martin Sheen is such a super star that he can take a basic script and elevate the movie from a 2 star to a 4 star rating by himself. Adding to the star quality you have Nick Nolte as the local mechanic Buzz Stafford whose younger brother also recently died at the hands of the mean Sheriff Roy Childress.
The movie will keep you wishing for revenge for the young murder victims and that Sheriff Roy Childress will get his comeuppance. The late model 1950's circa cars ridden by Sheriff Roy and by Michael McCord are awesome to look at and watch during the speed racing scenes.
The epilogue leaves the fans with the feeling that justice has been served. How? Well you will just have to watch the movie for yourself. You won't be disappointed in this 1970's made for TV movie. Keep in mind that both Nick Nolte and Martin Sheen went on to the big screen and starred in some of the biggest box office movies over the next three decades. We were lucky to have them both on our television sets starring in The California Kid.
The Sheriff Roy Childress is played by Vic Morrow whose salary is drawn by how much the judge can fine the unsuspecting visitors who go over the posted speed limit even by 5 miles per hour. And if the speedsters try and avoid capture, well Vic Morrow just runs them off the cliff as they attempt to allude capture and make the state border.
A lot of the interaction takes place at the local town restaurant where the waitress Maggie played by Michelle Phillips serves the best hot coffee in town. Then one day a hot rodder named Michael McCord played by Martin Sheen comes driving in to town. We soon find out that Mr. McCord is not in town by accident, but seeking answers as to how is brother died falling over a cliff outside of town while driving with a friend.
Martin Sheen is such a super star that he can take a basic script and elevate the movie from a 2 star to a 4 star rating by himself. Adding to the star quality you have Nick Nolte as the local mechanic Buzz Stafford whose younger brother also recently died at the hands of the mean Sheriff Roy Childress.
The movie will keep you wishing for revenge for the young murder victims and that Sheriff Roy Childress will get his comeuppance. The late model 1950's circa cars ridden by Sheriff Roy and by Michael McCord are awesome to look at and watch during the speed racing scenes.
The epilogue leaves the fans with the feeling that justice has been served. How? Well you will just have to watch the movie for yourself. You won't be disappointed in this 1970's made for TV movie. Keep in mind that both Nick Nolte and Martin Sheen went on to the big screen and starred in some of the biggest box office movies over the next three decades. We were lucky to have them both on our television sets starring in The California Kid.
What became of Sgt. Saunders
spwyner-569-310551 February 2013
Did honorable Sgt Saunders go home after the war and run for sheriff of a small California town? Somehow this made for TV movie from 1974 eluded me. See pre-liberal panty-waiste Martin Sheen in a James Deanesk role avenging the murder of his motorist brother take on an anything but honorable Vic Morrow playing a sleazy and corrupt town sheriff who hates speedsters and will do anything it takes to run them off the road with the front bumper of his '57 Plymouth. This jewel which takes place in 1957 but filmed in 1974 is filled with goofs and anachronisms galor and solid acting by the above as well as Nick Nolte and former Mama Phillips taking up time and space as the local coffee shop waitress and Rockford Files alum, Stewart Margolin playing it straight as Morrow's lacki deputy.
The challenge race 34 Ford Coupe vs 57 Plymouth Cruise at death curve!!
elo-equipamentos18 June 2023
Whom it may concern on the seventies all studios were technically bankrupt, so TV demands and sponsored to make several fine pictures to fill out their program schedule due the studio decreased to the utmost their productions, so this is a small explanation why countless TV movies in this period of time.
This picture concerns a revenge, when Michael McCord (Martin Sheen) together his newest brother a former marines passing through for Clarksburg in a hurry to reach in time at base were run off in the dangerous curve at road leading to the death his beloved brother in the cliff, actually the psycho local Sheriff Roy Childress made it deliberately due in recent past your whole family were killed at Clarksburg avenue by car accident and the perpetrator running away and never was recognized, only by this the bruised Sheriff and the Judge J. A. Hooker became his accomplice to apply heavy fines at local traffic or in the road for lowest speed to raise their salaries over those unwarned visitors or just crossing the city.
After a while come up McCord in a stylized black flaming 1934 Ford Coupe with a powerful adapted inside aiming for if was an accident or made in purpose, after many tries to reach at deadly curve near 100 miles per hours, all them became thwarted in so sharp turn, although the smart Sheriff already knows why McCord is there, hard to foresee if California Kid could be reach commercially on Brazil, due it was almost unknown having the ratings at IMDB as a source of popularity, in America it was already released in Blu-Ray, a fine movie that I saw at my wanders years when I'd already had catch by the seventh art many years before.
The scoundrel Vic Morrow fits perfect to the role, yes that one who had a nerve to left to his daughter Jennifer Jason Leigh meager 12 dollars of Vic's inheritance, previously which both had a falling out, aftermaths Jennifer changes his surname for good, without forget the still young and forthcoming star Nick Nolte in a small role
Thanks for reading.
Resume:
First watch: 1985 / How many: 2 / Source: TV-Youtube / Rating: 7.
This picture concerns a revenge, when Michael McCord (Martin Sheen) together his newest brother a former marines passing through for Clarksburg in a hurry to reach in time at base were run off in the dangerous curve at road leading to the death his beloved brother in the cliff, actually the psycho local Sheriff Roy Childress made it deliberately due in recent past your whole family were killed at Clarksburg avenue by car accident and the perpetrator running away and never was recognized, only by this the bruised Sheriff and the Judge J. A. Hooker became his accomplice to apply heavy fines at local traffic or in the road for lowest speed to raise their salaries over those unwarned visitors or just crossing the city.
After a while come up McCord in a stylized black flaming 1934 Ford Coupe with a powerful adapted inside aiming for if was an accident or made in purpose, after many tries to reach at deadly curve near 100 miles per hours, all them became thwarted in so sharp turn, although the smart Sheriff already knows why McCord is there, hard to foresee if California Kid could be reach commercially on Brazil, due it was almost unknown having the ratings at IMDB as a source of popularity, in America it was already released in Blu-Ray, a fine movie that I saw at my wanders years when I'd already had catch by the seventh art many years before.
The scoundrel Vic Morrow fits perfect to the role, yes that one who had a nerve to left to his daughter Jennifer Jason Leigh meager 12 dollars of Vic's inheritance, previously which both had a falling out, aftermaths Jennifer changes his surname for good, without forget the still young and forthcoming star Nick Nolte in a small role
Thanks for reading.
Resume:
First watch: 1985 / How many: 2 / Source: TV-Youtube / Rating: 7.
Second Only To "Bullitt"
jesselim6 February 2000
I was about thirteen when this movie came out on television. It is far superior in action than most movies since. Martin Sheen is excellent, and though Nick Nolte has a small part, he too provides excellent support. Vic Morrow as the villain is superb.
When Sheen "tests the water" in his '34 Ford (COOL) along the mountainous highway it is spectacular!
The ending is grand.
I'm disappointed in the low vote this received. I figure the younger generations have more interest in much of the junk that is coming out these days.
Good taste eludes the masses!
When Sheen "tests the water" in his '34 Ford (COOL) along the mountainous highway it is spectacular!
The ending is grand.
I'm disappointed in the low vote this received. I figure the younger generations have more interest in much of the junk that is coming out these days.
Good taste eludes the masses!
You would have thought #200 would have been more interesting.
planktonrules14 March 2017
"The California Kid" is the 200th installment of "The ABC Movie of the Week" and as such you would have thought that they would have shown one of their very best movies. Instead, it was a film with a few exciting moments...and a lot of padding. In essence, the film could have been condensed to half an hour!
The story begins with Michael McCord (Martin Sheen) going through a crappy little town near the state line. The cops here lie in wait and the town is just a gigantic speed trap. But with one cop (Vic Morrow) it's more. He LIKES it when a speeder tries to outrun him and cross the state line...as he gives chase and runs them off the road to their death. He gets off on doing this. But despite ticketing McCord, McCord doesn't even try going full bore towards the state line...until the sadistic cop kills once again.
This DOES sound exciting, doesn't it. Well, it isn't. The pace is the problem...it's just too slow, too padded and never really delivers.
The story begins with Michael McCord (Martin Sheen) going through a crappy little town near the state line. The cops here lie in wait and the town is just a gigantic speed trap. But with one cop (Vic Morrow) it's more. He LIKES it when a speeder tries to outrun him and cross the state line...as he gives chase and runs them off the road to their death. He gets off on doing this. But despite ticketing McCord, McCord doesn't even try going full bore towards the state line...until the sadistic cop kills once again.
This DOES sound exciting, doesn't it. Well, it isn't. The pace is the problem...it's just too slow, too padded and never really delivers.
The car is the real star of this movie.
Kiffin15 June 1999
Martin Sheen, Michelle Phillips, Stuart Margolin and the late Vic Morrow are the human stars of this movie about a young man looking for answers about his brother's death. Mr. Sheen, Mr. Margolin and Mr. Morrow all turn in first rate performances in their respective roles; Ms. Phillips has the slightly less than enviable task of trying to spice up a made-for-TV movie (twenty-five years ago), by supplying the "sex interest" in an otherwise sexless film. The real star, however, is the "California Kid"; a 1934 Ford coupe, borrowed from "Jake" Jacobs, put before a camera and given a workout that'll leave the viewer panting, gasping and holding the edge of the seat with breathless anticipation.
The action scenes are spectacular, (although some of the dialog is a bit lame) making for a fine evening's diversion. This is how all "car movies" should be made.
Try to catch this one on the late movie channel; it's well worth the missed sleep.
The action scenes are spectacular, (although some of the dialog is a bit lame) making for a fine evening's diversion. This is how all "car movies" should be made.
Try to catch this one on the late movie channel; it's well worth the missed sleep.
Loved this movie as a kid and now meah ugh not so much!
mm-3924 April 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Loved this movie as a kid and now meah ugu not so much!. Sheen comes to town to find out about his brothers death from a speed trap in a small California town. Interesting back in the day, but so over done now. Well acted and directed but short on the script. What makes The California Kid interesting is this dead man curve Sheen must get by to fight the evil Sherriff in a chase for Sheen's life. Did not mind the flick but ugh just another 70's made for t v film.
Too Cool for Cool
geerhed10 February 2005
For those of us Baby Boomers who arrived too late on the scene to appreciate James Dean et. al., Martin Sheen showed us The Way in this great feature.
The premise is easy enough: cool hood meets small town sheriff and All-Hell ensues, but the nuts and bolts of this movie enthrall the car nut in all of us.
No, this isn't Casablanca, nor is it great Literature, but it IS a serious movie about cars, rebellion, and the genius that is Martin Sheen.
Enjoy this and appreciate it for what it is, and for what Martin will become. I loved this movie growing up as a teen in the 70's, and you will too.
The premise is easy enough: cool hood meets small town sheriff and All-Hell ensues, but the nuts and bolts of this movie enthrall the car nut in all of us.
No, this isn't Casablanca, nor is it great Literature, but it IS a serious movie about cars, rebellion, and the genius that is Martin Sheen.
Enjoy this and appreciate it for what it is, and for what Martin will become. I loved this movie growing up as a teen in the 70's, and you will too.
A nifty 70's made-for-TV flick
Woodyanders25 September 2008
Warning: Spoilers
1958. The sleepy small Southern town of Clarksburg. Evil Sheriff Roy Childress (the almighty Vic Morrow in peak nasty form) cracks down super hard on speeders by forcing said offenders off a cliff to their untimely deaths on an especially dangerous stretch of road. Childress meets his match when cool young hot rod driver Michael McCord (a splendidly smooth and brooding portrayal by Martin Sheen) shows up in town in his souped-up automobile with the specific intention of avenging the death of his brother (Sheen's real-life sibling Joe Estevez in a brief cameo). Director Richard T. Heffron, working from a taut and intriguing script by Richard Compton (the same guy who directed the 70's drive-in movie gems "Welcome Home, Soldier Boys" and "Macon County Line"), relates the gripping story at a brisk pace, neatly creates a flavorsome 50's period setting, and ably milks plenty of suspense out the tense game of wit and wills between Childress and McCord. The uniformly fine cast helps a lot: Sheen radiates a brash James Deanesque rebellious vibe in the lead, Morrow makes the most out of his meaty bad guy part, plus there are excellent supporting performances by Michelle Phillips as sweet diner waitress Maggie, Stuart Margolin as a folksy deputy, Nick Nolte as amiable gas station attendant Buzz Stafford, Gary Morgan as Buzz's endearingly gawky younger brother Lyle, Janit Baldwin as sassy local tart Sissy, Britt Leach as stingy cab driver Johnny, and Frederic Downs as the stern Judge J.A. Hooker. The climactic vehicular confrontation between Childress and McCord is a real pulse-pounding white-knuckle thrilling doozy. Terry K. Meade's sharp cinematography, the well-drawn characters (for example, Childress became obsessed with busting speeders after his wife and kid were killed in a fatal hit and run incident), the groovy, syncopated score by Luchi De Jesus, and the beautiful mountainside scenery all further enhance the overall sound quality of this superior made-for-TV winner.
Whow! This is one cool car movie
hammondn-331 July 2000
I caught this movie about 8 years ago, and have never had it of my mind. surely someone out there will release it on Video, or hey why not DVD! The ford coupe is the star.......if you have any head for cars WATCH THIS and be blown away.
A Correction
lewisemanuel194618 July 2015
In my original review of this film, I mistakenly referred to the vehicle's owner as "Jake Jacobs". Somehow, I got Mr. Jacobs confused with his partner and friend, Mr. Pete Chapouris, for which I apologize to both gentlemen.
It should be noted that Mr. Chapouris is the builder of "The California Kid" and he is also a well-known and respected hot-rodder out of California.
(The original coupe is on display at "Pete & Jake's Hot Rod Parts", in Peculiar, MO, under the care of Mr. Jerry Slover. According to reports, the "California Kid" and its stable mate, "Jake's Coupe" have been driven more than 250,000 miles since their original construction as hot-rods).
It should be noted that Mr. Chapouris is the builder of "The California Kid" and he is also a well-known and respected hot-rodder out of California.
(The original coupe is on display at "Pete & Jake's Hot Rod Parts", in Peculiar, MO, under the care of Mr. Jerry Slover. According to reports, the "California Kid" and its stable mate, "Jake's Coupe" have been driven more than 250,000 miles since their original construction as hot-rods).
Revenge Served... Hot...
azathothpwiggins23 August 2022
The tiny town of Clarksberg isn't just a speed trap. It's an organized criminal operation. The revenue brought in from speeding tickets keeps the town running. Enforcing the speed limit is the the job of psychopathic Sheriff Roy Childress (Vic Morrow), who has been helping unwary speeders to their early graves.
Enter Michael McCord (Martin Sheen), aka: THE CALIFORNIA KID, who comes to town in his bada$$ '34 Ford hot rod. Unbeknownst to Sheriff Roy, McCord, as cool as his car is, is more than just some visiting hot-rodder. Nope, McCord is in Clarksberg for a reason, and no amount of hassle seems to dissuade him.
Playing like a motorized western, McCord and Childress face off in a duel of wills.
Let the fun begin.
THE CALIFORNIA KID is an eight-cylinder, top-of-the-line made-for-TV thriller, from a time when these quality films were made on a regular basis. Sheen and Morrow are superb, as are Nick Nolte and Michelle Phillips in supporting roles.
Entertaining from its start to its glorious, high-octane finish...
Enter Michael McCord (Martin Sheen), aka: THE CALIFORNIA KID, who comes to town in his bada$$ '34 Ford hot rod. Unbeknownst to Sheriff Roy, McCord, as cool as his car is, is more than just some visiting hot-rodder. Nope, McCord is in Clarksberg for a reason, and no amount of hassle seems to dissuade him.
Playing like a motorized western, McCord and Childress face off in a duel of wills.
Let the fun begin.
THE CALIFORNIA KID is an eight-cylinder, top-of-the-line made-for-TV thriller, from a time when these quality films were made on a regular basis. Sheen and Morrow are superb, as are Nick Nolte and Michelle Phillips in supporting roles.
Entertaining from its start to its glorious, high-octane finish...
A VERY different revenge movie
dennisg-610 March 2012
Martin Sheen's brother (in this case, truly it is, in real life) is killed by a local sheriff, who enjoys pushing speeders off a cliff 2 miles from the state line.
Martin drives a beautiful sports car, with "The California Kid" painted on the side, hence the name of the movie.
This movie has at least 5 times where no words are spoken for several minutes, an interesting feature.
Young Nick Nolte does a good job, especially after his brother drives off that infamous cliff. Stuart Margolin plays an understated role as a deputy sheriff. And Michelle (Mamas and the Papas) Phillips does an OK job as a waitress.
This is a satisfying movie.
Martin drives a beautiful sports car, with "The California Kid" painted on the side, hence the name of the movie.
This movie has at least 5 times where no words are spoken for several minutes, an interesting feature.
Young Nick Nolte does a good job, especially after his brother drives off that infamous cliff. Stuart Margolin plays an understated role as a deputy sheriff. And Michelle (Mamas and the Papas) Phillips does an OK job as a waitress.
This is a satisfying movie.
5 bagger popcorn classic
terryalbertanderson6 March 2022
Good movie.
wkozak22127 February 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I remember the ABC movie of the week. It had a lot of movies to offer. I remember this movie. I thought it was very good. Not great but good. I really wish Vic Morrow would have played nicer roles. Martin Sheen is very good in the movie. Vic is good also. The story is well done.
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