Review of Grand Theft Auto

Headstrong rich gal Paula Powers (a winningly spunky portrayal by the fetching Nancy Morgan) steals the family Rolls Royce and heads off to Las Vegas to marry her amiable working class boyfriend Sam Freeman (a likable turn by Ron Howard, who also made his directorial debut with this film). A motley slew of folks give chase. Director Howard, who also co-wrote the simple script with his dad Rance, tells the entertaining story at a zippy pace, maintains an engaging light-hearted and good-natured tone throughout, and stages the assorted wild'n'wacky vehicular carnage with considerable go-for-it brio. Moreover, this picture benefits tremendously from being so straightforward and unpretentious: After a few initial minutes of basic plot set-up, the rest is essentially one lengthy car chase that culminates in one hysterical doozy of a demolition derby climax. Better yet, the enthusiastic cast attack the material with infectious aplomb, with especially energetic contributions from Marion Ross as the disapproving Vivian Hedgeworth, Peter Isacksen and Clint Howard as a pair of loony hot-rodders, Rance Howard as no-no0nsense private eye Ned Slinker, Paul Linke as pompous preppy Collins, Don Steele as obnoxious disc jockey Curly Q. Brown, and Barry Cahill as huffy millionaire Bigby Powers. The jaunty score by Peter Ivers hits the stirring spot. The always dependable Gary Graver does his usual ace job with the glossy cinematography. An immensely fun flick.