Blue Collar (1978)

Director:

Paul Schrader

Writers:

Paul Schrader (written by) and
Leonard Schrader (written by) ...
(more)

Release Date:

10 February 1978 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama

Tagline:

Whatever became of the "American Dream"?

Plot:

Three workers, Zeke, Jerry and Smokey, are working at a car plant and drinking their beers together...

Plot Keywords:

Union | Robbery | Worker | Factory | Black Comedy

Cast

Richard Pryor	...	Zeke Brown
Harvey Keitel	...	Jerry Bartowski
Yaphet Kotto	...	Smokey James
Ed Begley Jr.	...	Bobby Joe
Harry Bellaver	...	Eddie Johnson Union President AAW Local 291
George Memmoli	...	Jenkins
Lucy Saroyan	...	Arlene Bartowski
Lane Smith	...	Clarence Hill, Union Steward
Cliff De Young	...	John Burrows
Borah Silver	...	Dogshit Miller, Foreman
Chip Fields	...	Caroline Brown
Harry Northup	...	Hank
Leonard Gaines	...	Mr. Bird, I.R.S. Man
Milton Selzer	...	Sumabitch
Sammy Warren	...	Barney
Jimmy Martinez	...	Charlie T. Hernandez, Loan Shark
Jerry Dahlmann	...	Superintendent
Denny Arnold	...	Thug
Rock Riddle	...	Blond Thug
Stacey Baldwin	...	Donny Bartowski
Steve Butts	...	Bob Bartowski
Stephen P. Dunn	...	Flanagan
Speedy Brown	...	Blue
Davone Florence	...	Frazer Balchin
Eddie Singleton	...	Ali Brown
Ava Singleton	...	Aretha Brown
Vernetta Royster	...	Neighbor
Jaime Carreire	...	Little Joe
Victoria McFarland	...	Doris
Gloria Delaney	...	Party Girl
Rosa Flores	...	Party Girl
Crystal McCarey	...	Party Girl
Debra Fay Walker	...	Party Girl
Gino Ardito	...	Detective
Sean Fallon Walsh	...	Detective
Vincent Lucchesi	...	Newspaper Reporter
Jerry Snider	...	TV Reporter
Colby Chester	...	TV Reporter
Donl Morse	...	Union Member
William Pelt	...	Union Member
Tracey Walter	...	Union Member
Almeria Quinn	...	Union Secretary
Lee McDonald	...	Security Guard
Rodney Lee Walker	...	Boy in Dime Store
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Jimmy Williams	...	Union member with broken leg (uncredited)

Directed by
Paul Schrader

Writing credits
Paul Schrader		(written by) and
Leonard Schrader		(written by)
Sydney A. Glass		source material

Produced by
Robin French	....	executive producer
Don Guest	....	producer
David Nichols	....	associate producer

Original Music by
Jack Nitzsche

Cinematography by
Bobby Byrne

Film Editing by
Tom Rolf

Casting by
Vic Ramos

Production Design by
Lawrence G. Paull

Set Decoration by
Peg Cummings

Costume Design by
Ron Dawson
Alice Rush

Makeup Department
Donel. Sirlord	....	makeup artist
Robert L. Stevenson	....	hair department head

Production Management
Rusty Meek	....	production manager (as G.C. Rusty Meek)

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Daniel Franklin	....	second assistant director (as Dan Franklin)

Art Department
Michael C. Ayers	....	property master
Ernie Sawyers	....	property master (as Michael Ayers)
Mort Zwicker	....	construction coordinator

Sound Department
Tom Beckert	....	sound re-recording mixer
Willie D. Burton	....	sound
Marvin E. Lewis	....	boom operator
James G. Stewart	....	sound re-recording mixer (as Jim Stewart)
Winfred Tennison	....	sound

Stunts
Jim Connors	....	stunt driver (as Matt 'Jim' Connors)
Frank Orsatti	....	stunt driver
Glenn R. Wilder	....	stunt coordinator (as Glenn Wilder)
Glenn R. Wilder	....	stunt driver (as Glenn Wilder)

Camera and Electrical Department
William D. Barber	....	second assistant camera
Rick Borchardt	....	key grip (as Rick Borchart)
James F. Boyle	....	gaffer (as Jim Boyle)
Ophelious Braxton	....	second grip
Doug J. Campbell	....	dolly grip (as Doug Campbell)
William Dear	....	additional photographer
Wynn Hammer	....	still photographer
Aaron Pazanti	....	best boy
Ted T. Sugura	....	first assistant camera
Jim Taylor	....	still photographer
Robert C. Thomas	....	camera operator

Editorial Department
Janice Hampton	....	assistant editor

Music Department
Ry Cooder	....	special musical arrangements

Transportation Department
Pat Carmen	....	transportation coordinator
Gary Littlefield	....	transportation coordinator

Other crew
Wally Bennett	....	assistant to producer
Wally Bennett	....	script supervisor
Judy Bornstein	....	assistant: Mr. Schrader
Stephen P. Dunn	....	assistant: Mr. Schrader (as Stephen Dunn)
Joan McWade	....	location auditor
Dan Perri	....	title designer: main titles
Beverly Walker	....	production consultant

Production Companies

• TAT Communications Company

Distributors

• Universal Pictures (1978) (USA) (theatrical)
• Cinema International Corporation (CIC) (1979) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• Cinema International Corporation (CIC) (1980) (Austria) (theatrical) (subtitles)
• Anchor Bay Entertainment (2000) (USA) (DVD) (special edition)
• Anchor Bay Entertainment (USA) (VHS)
• Universal Pictures (2006) (UK) (DVD)

Special Effects

• Modern Film Effects (optical effects)

Runtime:

114 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Netherlands:16 | West Germany:16 | Finland:K-16 | Norway:15 | Norway:16 (original rating) | UK:18 | USA:R | Iceland:12

Filming Locations:

Detroit, Michigan, USA

Company:

TAT Communications Company

Trivia:

It was a very tense shoot because the three lead actors, Richard Pryor, Yaphet Kotto and Harvey Keitel argued constantly. According to Paul Schrader, Pryor punched Keitel and hit Kotto with a chair during filming.

Quotes:

Zeke Brown: Man, flick my Bic!

Movie Connections:

Features "The Jeffersons" (1975)

Soundtrack:

Speak My Mind

Memorable film

Certain films remain at the back of one's mind for many years. The first time I saw the film, on television, I was impressed by the realism of the situation and honesty of acting. The film is enhanced by the driving power of the theme music. Years later, I again saw the film on television and was reminded of it and how good it is. The lead actors, Yaphet Koto, Harvey Keitel and Richard Prior, must have enjoyed much critical acclaim from fellow actors for their performances. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good story without too obvious predictability and easy options, especially those who think that all American movies are romanticism floss.