The 1981 classic The Cannonball Run featured an all-star cast, including the late Burt Reynolds, Sir Roger Moore, Farrah Fawcett, Dom DeLuise, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Jackie Chan, and more. The action comedy is about a variety of eccentric participants who compete in the ultimate cross-country auto race, with each driver doing everything they can to win. It was inspired by the Cannonball Baker Sea-To-Shining Sea Memorial Trophy Dash, a real and unsanctioned cross-country automobile race.
Watch the original trailer below:
“The Cannonball Run (1981) – Original Trailer” by FilmBuffOnline
The Cannonball Run was such a success that two sequels were made, Cannonball Run II (1984) and Speed Zone (1989). A new Cannonball Run film is also in the works, which will be a relaunch rather than a sequel (source).
Where Was The Cannonball Run Filmed In Nevada?
The opening sequence to the original The Cannonball Run was filmed along El Dorado Dry Lake Bed, just outside of Boulder City, NV. The chase scene features a Lamborghini racing past the Railroad Pass Hotel & Casino (located in Henderson, NV) and towards the U.S. Highway 95 overpass to Searchlight, NV.
Fun Fact #1: Opened on August 1, 1931, Railroad Pass Hotel & Casino is not only the oldest operating casino in Nevada, but it is also the longest running casino in America! It was the third casino licensed in the state of Nevada and holds a License #4 under its name.
Fun Fact #2: The Cannonball Run featured an appearance by Valerie Perrine, a former Las Vegas showgirl, who played a state trooper in the movie. Perrine also played in the movie Superman (1978), which was partially filmed in Boulder City, NV.
Watch the intro to The Cannonball Run below:
“cannonball run intro HD music only, no talking or sound effects” by Vincent simon
Sources:
https://bouldercityreview.com/opinion/past-returns-to-present-via-film-revivals/
https://autoweek.com/article/car-life/cannonball-run-movie-speeds-ahead