Macon County Line (1974)

Accused of a murder they had nothing to do with, three Yankee kids – happy-go-lucky brothers Chris and Wayne Dixon (real-life brothers Alan and Jesse Vint) and their pretty blonde hitchhiker Jenny (Cheryl Waters) – are hunted by the law in Georgia in the 1950s.

The performances are all on-target, with stand-out supporting turns by Sam Gilman as a hard-nosed deputy, Joan Blackman as the sheriff’s doomed wife, 70’s teen pop idol Leif Garrett as the sheriff’s son, James Gammon as a low-life hoodlum, Doodles Weaver as a doddery ol’ cuss, and Geoffrey Lewis as a cranky gas station proprietor.

The violent and disturbing surprise ending packs one hell of a savage and powerful kick-you-in-the-guts wallop.

This AIP drive-in classic was the first feature produced by Max Baer, Jr. (Jethro in the TV series The Beverly Hillbillies), who also plays the Sherrif.

Baer apparently wrote the film on the back of his Beverly Hillbillies scripts during breaks in taping the show.

Produced for $225,000, Macon County Line was one of the highest-grossing independently financed movies of 1974, earning $18.8 million in North America and over $30 million worldwide. The film’s success inspired Return to Macon County (1975), which was not a direct sequel despite its title.

Bobbie Gentry sings the theme song.

Chris Dixon
Alan Vint
Wayne Dixon
Jesse Vint
Jenny Scott
Cheryl Waters
Hamp
Geoffrey Lewis
Sherrif Reed Morgan
Max Baer Jr.
Carol Morgan
Joan Blackman
Luke Morgan
Leif Garrett
Deputy Bill
Sam Gilman
Lon
Timothy Scott
Elisha
James Gammon
Gurney
Emile Meyer
Augie
Doodles Weaver
Public Defender
Avil Williams
Pimp
John DeMattio
Ida
Kate Monahan
Ed
Edward Cross
Whore
Jan Green

Director
Richard Compton