Grand Theft Auto (film)

Grand Theft Auto
Theatrical release poster by John Solie
Directed byRon Howard
Written by
Produced byJon Davison
Starring
CinematographyGary Graver
Edited byJoe Dante
Music byPeter Ivers
Distributed byNew World Pictures
Release date
  • June 18, 1977 (1977-06-18)
Running time
84 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$602,000[1]
Box office$15 million or $2.5 million[2]

Grand Theft Auto is a 1977 American road action comedy film starring and directed by Ron Howard, in his feature film directorial debut. Howard also wrote the screenplay with his real-life father Rance Howard, who also co-starred in the film. As of 2023, this is the only film that Howard has both directed and starred in. The film takes its title from the crime grand theft auto, which is committed a number of times by several different characters.

In the film, a wealthy political candidate pressures his daughter to marry a similarly wealthy suitor instead of her current love interest. The daughter steals her parents' car and flees towards Las Vegas with her love interest. Her unwanted suitor steals another car and chases her. He also offers a reward to whoever can catch the woman for him. The suitor is himself chased by his worried mother.

  1. ^ Christopher T Koetting, Mind Warp!: The Fantastic True Story of Roger Corman's New World Pictures, Hemlock Books. 2009 p.126-127.
  2. ^ Donahue, Suzanne Mary (1987). American film distribution : the changing marketplace. UMI Research Press. p. 295. ISBN 9780835717762. Please note figures are for rentals in US and Canada.