Vanishing Point Film Script
Posted: 23 Feb 2006 11:42<h1>Vanishing Point Credits and Transcript</h1>
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CBS FOX Video - 20th Century Fox
Cupid Productions present
( Instrumental version of Nobody Knows )
VANISHING POINT
Starring Barry Newman
Co-starring Dean Jagger
Victoria Medlin
With Paul Koslo
Robert Donner
Timoty Scott
Anthony James
Arthur Malet
Lee Weaver
Karl Swenson
Severn Darden
Gilda Texter
Tom Reese
And Introducing Delaney & Bonnie and Friends
And Cleavon Little as "Super Soul"
Director of Photography John A. Alonzo
Film Editor Stefan Arnsten
Creative Associate Iain Quarrier
Associate to Mr. Sarafian and Casting Supervisor Michael McLean
Unit Production Manager Francisco Day
Production Administrator Maurice Unger
Assistant Director Richard Glassman
Sound Mixers Bill Edmondson
Tom Edwards
Theodore Soderberg
Wardrobe Master Ed Wynigear
Makeup Del Acevedo
Set Decoration Glen Daniels
Jerry Wunderlich
Property Master Dennis Parrish
Stunt Coordination Cary Loftin
Lewis Elias
Color by Deluxe
Copyright MCMLXXI by Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp
All rights reserved
Music Produced and Supervised by Jimmy Bowen
Musica Associates Pete Carpenter
Tom Thacker
Executive Producer Micheal Pearson
Screenplay by Guillermo Cain
From a story outline by Malcolm Hart
Produced by Norman Spencer
Directed by Richard C. Sarafian
[Bulldozers moving into position w/ Cops watching.]
[Cop cars arrive at bulldozer site.]
Bulldozer driver: Wonder what's going on? Here comes CBS news, must be
important.
Cop: Unit 2473 to helicopter.
Pilot: Helicopter, over.
Cop: Have you located suspect?
Pilot: Suspect under surveillance.
[K pursued by helicopter.]
[K does 180 at bulldozers.]
[K does another 180 at sight of cop cars, then drives into desert.]
Pilot: Helicopter 1 to car 2473. Suspect stopped, can't get away.
Cop: Allright, um, allright. Maintain surveillance.
[K gets out of Dodge for a minute.]
[K gets into Dodge, drives onto highway and passes black Chrysler.]
"California - Sunday - 10:09 A.M."
"Two Days Earlier"
"Denver Colorado - Friday - 11:30 P.M."
[K pulls black Chrysler into Argo's Delivery Service.]
Sandy: Kowalski! And the keys for a sawed-off weekend. Well you're both
welcome.
Kowalski: Whatdya got going for 'Frisco?
Sandy: You're not going back tonight. Hey, you're gonna kill yourself
someday, you know that? Do you know?
Kowalski: Yeah, yeah.
Sandy: Look, why don't you stay over 'til Monday, huh?
Kowalski: So you can go home right now.
Sandy: Oh yeah sure, sure. Just before midnight. Hey look, you know
something, when the clock strikes 12, my car turns into a pumpkin.
Kowalski: Hey Sandy, you know you're a born actor?
Sandy: Yeah, sure, sure. That's what my wife will say, when I tell her
I've been waiting up for you all night. Hey, look, look, seriously.
Look, why don't you stay over?
Kowalski: Nah.
Sandy: Look, you can do with some sleep, can't you?
Kowalski: Look, I gotta get started out tonight Sandy, now which car?
Sandy: Which?!
[K drives out of shop in Dodge.]
( I Can't Believe It - Longbranch/Pennywhistle )
[K pulls into parking lot.]
Jake: Hey K! Ha ha ha ha, what's happening? What's happening? Whatcha
need?
Kowalski: Speed.
Jake: Why not! Here, hold up. How you doin, K (?)
-
Kowalski: Fine, how're you doing?
Jake: Lookin' good. Say when.
Kowalski: Hold it, hold it, that's good, that's good.
Jake: Um hmm. Hey man hold it, I'll get you some water.
Kowalski: Uh uh. That's ok, forget it.
Jake: You sure?
Kowalski: Yeah, I'm gonna split.
Jake: Come on man, why don't you hang out for a while?
Kowalski: Uh uh, I gotta get moving.
Jake: Gotta get moving, gotta hit the road. Bullshit. How 'bout them 2
chicks over there to slow you down, huh?
Kowalski: Yeah, they're beautiful.
Jake: So drop out and join the cause.
Kowalski: Look, no offense Jake, but I gotta be in 'Frisco 3 o'clock tomorrow
afternoon.
Jake: Aaaah, you're puttin me on, right?
Kowalski: I wish to God I was.
Jake: Well then you're bullshitting yourself, because you cannot make it!
Kowalski: You wanna bet?
Jake: Well, this must be a souped up something.
Kowalski: Yeah, it's hopped up to over 160.
Jake: Wooo! But even so...
Kowalski: Here's what I'm gonna do with you. I'm gonna bet you the tab for the
bennies, and I'm gonna be in Frisco and I'm gonna call you 3 o'clock
tomorrow afternoon. Now if I don't, double the deal next time around.
Bet?
Jake: Bet!
[K pulls off in Dodge.]
Jake: Good luck buddy!
[K pulls out of Denver in Dodge.]
[SS walks down street towards radio station with seeing-eye dog while
"farm report" is being broadcast.]
Radio Engineer: 10 seconds, Super. You got it.
( Super Soul Theme - The J.B. Pickers )
Super Soul: Aaaah, good mornin' folks! This is yours truly Super, Super Soul.
Direct and live with no net early people. Without a net! Transmittin'
from KOW, spelled K-O-W, uh huh, the noisiest, bounciest, fanciest
radio station in the far west! Now let's kill some morning with some
wham bam, zoom boom wakeup music, with a little help from my friends.
Now take it away amigo. Heeey, get it! Allright! Uh huh! Takin' me
on home! We got a long way to go today baby!
( Got It Together - Bobby Doyle )
[K sees motorcycle cops in mirror.]
[First Cop pulls up beside K.]
First Cop: Wake up now. Hey, pull over. Pull over! You son of a bitch.
[K runs First Cop off the road.]
[K has flashback from his days as a motorcycle racer: He crashes his
motorcycle and then gets up and back into the race.]
Second Cop: You ok?
First Cop: Ok. Get him, get him!
Super Soul: And now, crashing into the top 10, comes the first really monstrous hit
of the 70's. A number that all by itself jumped 29, twenty-nine places
in 1 week. Uh huh, there's absolutely no doubt whatsoever, as they say,
that this will be, next week, number one. Numero uno, baby! The
itchybang entitled Where Do You Go From Here, baby, by Brian Obine.
Sock it to 'em Brian baby. Allright, get to it!
( Where Do We Go From Here - Jimmy Walker )
[K and Second Cop drive thru construction zone.]
[K jumps over dry creek bed, Second Cop wrecks.]
Dispatcher: 123, what's your location?
Second Cop: We've been in a 2 bike pileup on 53.
Dispatcher: 10-4, how far out are you?
Second Cop: About 5 miles from Thompson.
Dispatcher: Can you give me a description on the car?
Second Cop: A 1970 white Challenger, Colorado license OA-5599.
Dispatcher: 10-4, was anybody injured?
Second Cop: No injuries.
Dispatcher: 10-4, return to your station then.
Second Cop: Ok. We're on our way in, but you best send a truck for that
other motorcycle.
[Cops drive back on damaged motorcycle.]
( Freedom Of Expression - The J.B. Pickers )
Radio Engineer: Hey Supe, pick up on this, man. Attention all highway
patrol stations, suspect vehicle 1970 Dodge Challenger,
white in color.
[K avoids roadblock, is pursued by police cars.]
[K eludes police cars.]
[K has flashback from his days as a stock car driver: He crashes his
car.]
[Jaguar pulls alongside K.]
Jaguar Driver: Greetings, sir. Let's race! You got any balls in
that mother?
[K runs Jaguar off the road]
Jaguar driver: You bastard!
[K lets Jaguar catch back up]
[K beats Jaguar to 1-lane bridge, Jaguar crashes into river.]
[K gets out to see if Jaguar Driver is ok. Police cars approach bridge,
K gets into Dodge and takes off.]
[K runs line painter truck off the road, crosses border into Nevada.]
Cop: Car 24 to headquarters, car 24 to headquarters.
Dispatcher: Come in car 24.
Cop: Yeah, we lost him at the Nevada border. We better let Nevada handle
it, this guy's nuts.
Dispatcher: 10-4. Will advise Nevada highway patrol.
( Welcome To Nevada - Jerry Reed )
[K pulls to side of road.]
"Nevada - Saturday - 11:43 A.M."
[Sheriff sitting in Nevada police station talking to Colorado police
on radio.]
Sheriff: Yeah, I got it allright. Initials OA-5599 Colorado plates. Now,
what's this road runner done, fellas?
[SS is eating lunch in radio station.]
Radio Engineer: Hey Supe, I got them on the air now.
Sheriff: Yeah, quite a mother. But, uh, well fellas, as you know, we can't
throw anything at him except dangerous driving and failure to stop.
Misdemeanors both of 'em, over here. Yeah. Well, you told me that
once, comarade. But has this bronco in the Jaguar filed a formal
complaint?
Colorado Cop: No he hasn't.
Sheriff: Well, there you are. That isn't even a felony, brother.
Colorado Cop: What are you guys going to do about him?
Sheriff: Well, he hasn't got us bugged any. He's the one that's gonna have
to start worrying, as of right now.
Colorado Cop: Good luck.
Sheriff: Yeah, don't you worry, we'll catch him.
[K pulls into gas station, honks horn. Girl comes out to pump gas.]
Girl: May I help you, sir? May I help you?
Kowalski: Yeah, fill 'er up, please.
Girl: Thank you sir.
[K has flashback from his days as a police officer: He's sitting in front
seat, other cop is in back seat questioning a girl.]
Cop: C'mon baby, relax. I'm not going to hurt you. C'mon, baby. You play
ball with me and I'll let you go, huh? Allright, c'mon tell me. Where
did you get the stuff, huh? Which house?
[Cop begins to molest girl. K gets out, opens back door, and attacks Cop
while girl runs away.]
[End of flashback. K pulls out of gas station.]
( Instrumental version of Nobody Knows )
[K. drives down long straightaway. SS begins transmitting information over
KOW radio.]
Super Soul: And there goes the Challenger, being chased by the blue blue meanies on
wheels. The vicious traffic squad cars are after our lone driver, the
last American hero, the electric sitar, the demigod, the super driver
of the golden west. Two nasty Nazi cars are close behind the beautiful
lone driver. The police numbers are gettin' closer, closer, closer to
our soul hero in his soul mobile, yeah baby. They're about to strike,
they're gonna get him, smash him, rape the last beautiful free soul on
this planet. But, it is written, if the evil spirit arms the tiger with
claws, Brahman provideth wings for the dove. Thus spake, the super
guru.
[Nevada cops are sitting on the side of the road, listening to SS.]
Cop 1: Did you hear that?
Cop 2: Yeah.
Cop 1: Where the hell he get so much information?
Cop 2: Same place as you do, Charlie.
Cop 1: You mean from own frequency?
Cop 2: That's right.
Cop 1: How long's he been at it?
Cop 2: A year and a half, maybe two.
Cop 1: Hell, that's against the law.
Cop 2: So's carrying a transistor on duty.
Cop 1: Hey, come on now, that's different.
Cop 2: But he never says anything to incriminate himself. Brains and
lawyers, Charlie. As far as the law's concerned, he's clean as
Kleenex.
Super Soul: It's true, true, true, true my friends. For by the latest information,
our soul Challenger has just broken the ring of evil the deep blue
meanies have so righteously wrought! Get through 'em baby, get
through 'em!
Cop 1: Friggin' faggot.
[K continues down highway, passes big truck.]
Dispatcher: Attention, calling car 44. Attention car 44, do you read me?
Cop 2: Gimme that. This is car 44, reading you loud and clear, over.
Dispatcher: Where are you car 44?
Cop 2: We're on 80, some 10 miles from Archenta (?), over.
--------
Dispatcher: Well good, stay with it. Watch for a white Challenger, license
plates initial OA-5599. Colorado plates. Last seen heading for
Dunphy on US 40 at cruising speed. We have reason to believe
that it's supercharged, so maintain double alert 'til you spot
it, and then call in for instructions. Over and out.
Cop 2: Let's go. C'mon, let's go.
[Cops pull off onto highway, get within sight of K.]
Cop 1: What do you think he's done?
Cop 2: Don't know.
Cop 1: Well, what do you think?
Cop 2: I think he's gonna hijack that car to Cuba (laughs).
Cop 1: Don't be ridiculous.
Cop 2: Hell, Charlie, I don't know. Maybe killed somebody. Maybe stole
that big dude of his. Maybe both.
( Runaway Country - The Doug Dillard Expedition )
[Cops gain on K.]
[K comes up on 2 more cop cars, does 180 and heads toward first cop car.]
Cop 1: Hey, what's he doing? Jesus Christ, watch it. Watch it, watch it!]
[Cops spin out.]
Cop 2: Move over! Let me take it! Let go, let go! I'm gonna get that son
of a bitch, so help me I'm gonna get that son of a bitch!
[First cop car resumes chase.]
[Dispatcher at Colorado State Patrol transmits information to Nevada
police.]
Dispatcher: Hello Nevada. Hello Nevada. Nevada, this is Colorado State
Highway Patrol. This is about a special query raised by the
Utah Highway Patrol. Affirmative, that's correct. But later
they asked that the information be forwarded to you guys, so
get ready for some details. Turn on your tape recorders and
all that sort of jazz, huh. Apparently this speed maniac
you've been chasing all over your territory is a former
professional road racer named Kowalski, K-O-W-A-L-S-K-I.
Repeat Kowalski. First name unknown, other particulars also
unknown. All we do know is that he's employed as a car
delivery driver by an agency in Denver. He's presently driving
a Dodge Challenger, Colorado license plate OA-5599. This is
not a stolen car. He's driving it to San Francisco for a
delivery due Monday.
Cop 1: It's only Saturday, what's his hurry?
Dispatcher: That's what we wanted to know ourselves, so your guess is as
good as ours.
Cop 1: 10-4.
[K continues, pursued by first cop car.]
[First cop car crashes.]
Cop 1: You allright?
Cop 2: Yeah. 44 to headquarters, 44 to headquarters.
Dispatcher: Come in car 44.
Cop 2: He's on npa (?). I lost him.
---
Dispatcher: What?
Cop 2: Headed for Tonopah...
[Other cop car pulls up to assist.]
Dispatcher: What the hell's going on out there Collins?
Cop 2: We creamed our car.
Dispatcher: Where the hell are you now?
Cop 1: You gone crazy? Correction, we're still after him. We haven't
lost him, we're still after him, now come on.
Dispatcher: Stay right where you are, we're coming to you right now.
Cop 1: Come on!
[Cops get into other cop car and resume chase.]
[Cops slowly gain on K. 2 other cop cars come from the other direction.
K pulls off into desert. Cops pull to side of road.]
Cop 1: Gimme that. Car 44 to headquarters.
Dispatcher: Come in 44.
Cop 1: He's jumped the main road and headed out into the desert.
I'll let him cook out there for a while. He ain't going
nowhere.
Super Soul: What's he trying to prove now?
Engineer: Anytime now, Super.
Super Soul: Run a tape.
Engineer: I already ran a tape twice.
Super Soul: Come on man, are you blind or something? Can't you see I'm thinking?
Engineer: Crazy.
"Nevada - Saturday - 1:36 P.M."
[K drives through desert, realizes he's lost after crossing his own
tracks.]
Super Soul: Kowalski. Kowalski can you hear me? Do you hear me Kowalski?
I know you can hear me Kowalski, I'm sure you hear me now, this
very minute. Now, you listen very carefully. The whole mobile
force of the Nevada State Highway Patrol is after you. They
waiting for you to come up for air. Yeah. Now some people
imagine you'll try to get to California through Death Valley,
and others bet you'll die there in the desert. These few are
just too happy to see you vanish for good out there. But my tape
deck is just as jammed with telegrams as my head is jammed with
phone calls from people who are wishing you well in your getaway,
no matter where it might lead you. I wish I could help you, but I
can't. I can't. I don't think anybody can, except for that crazy
lucky streak of yours. And now you're going to need more luck...
all of it perhaps, and badly. You can beat the police, you can beat
the road, and you can even beat the clock, but you can't beat the
desert. Nobody can. You just cannot.
Kowalski: Go to hell.
Super Soul: Wait!
[K gets back in Dodge and takes off.]
[K has flashback from his days with his girlfriend:]
( Love Theme - Jimmy Bowen Orchestra And Chorus )
Vera: I love you.
[K and Vera are on the beach in the back of a van. Vera rolls a joint.]
Vera: Wouldn't it be funny after all if you did have to arrest me? I mean,
me trying to turn you on, and you trying to turn me in? I love this.
I love your scar. You hate it, I love it.
Kowalski: No, I don't hate it. I just hate what it means.
Vera: What does it mean? Only if you make war on war will you overcome it.
I love you. I love you.
Kowalski: You're crazy surfing in the middle of winter.
Vera: I'm going out again. Maybe I'll catch an 8-footer. I'll ride it in
your honor. Sayonara. Remember me.
[Vera goes surfing and drowns.]
[End of flashback. K gets a flat tire in the desert and begins to change
it.]
[In Denver, the media and a crowd of people are gathered at the car
delivery agency.]
TV Reporter: Here we are at point zero, where the Kowalski saga began,
and to be interviewed by KLZ TV News is the owner of the
agency Mr. Holly Makas, and one of the attendants, Sandy
McKees. Sandy, you knew this man best, what do you think
of Kowalski?
Sandy: Well, he's a great driver.
TV Reporter: What? What did you say?
Sandy: I said he's a great driver.
TV Reporter: A great driver, we all knew that.
Sandy: You won't find driver like him anywhere...
TV Reporter: But as a professional driver, he never really made the grade,
did he?
Sandy: Well, you know why? He never really wanted to. So far as I'm
concerned, he was number one then, and he's number one now.
[Crowd cheers.]
Sandy: Can't find a driver with his potential, right? Why don't they leave
him alone? Let the guy alone. Look, he never done any harm.
TV Reporter: This is Bob Palmer, KLZ TV News, in Denver.
[Media is interviewing SS at KOW radio.]
Reporter: Super Soul needs no introduction as our number one disc jockey.
But he's certainly on his way to becoming a national celebrity
in his own right, as the invisible guide of Kowalski.
Super Soul: The blind leading the blind.
Reporter: As you all remember, Kowalski was involved in a cross country
chase starting in Denver, Colorado.
[K finishes changing flat tire, goes to put flat in trunk and is confronted
by a rattlesnake.]
Prospector: Stay right where you are, son. Don't move stranger, don't move,
cause I'll get him for you. I'll get him. I'll get him. Stick
your pretty little head right through there baby, that's it, now
we got him. Now we'll get our basket over here, look at that,
live and wigglin', yeah, ain't that a beauty? Oh, ain't that a
fat one though? Now we'll get him in here. Thank you son,
that's got it.
Kowalski: Thank you. How many do you have in there?
Prospector: 6 rattlers, 2 sidewinders, and now we've got 1 very precious
diamondback.
Kowalski: What do you do with those things?
Prospector: Trade 'em. Trade 'em for coffee, sugar, chewing tobacco, salt,
flour, and beans, and lots of beans son (laughs).
Kowalski: You live out here, huh? Look, I'm lost and I need your help.
Super Soul: Attention Kowalski. I've got an important message for you. Kowalski,
are you listening? Now dig this. Coppers from the Highway Patrol
are combing the desert hunting for you. Listen carefully. Believe
it or not, they trying to help you, they really are. Dig it?
[K turns off radio.]
Prospector: That depends, son.
Kowalski: What?
Prospector: You said you needed my help, so that depends on your helping me
first. Helping me to get where it was that, to get where it was
that I was headed for. One of them is a-comin' on now.
Kowalski: I can't see a damn thing out there.
Prospector: I bet you can't even see my truck neither, and that's (spits)
just over there.
Kowalski: Let's get the hell out of here, huh?
Prospector: No, no, that ain't anyway to do it, that's no, that's no way to,
to get the hell out. No, the best way to my knowledge to get
away is to root right in where you are, just root right in.
[Helicopter is searching desert, passes over Dodge hidden under brush.]
Prospector: They just went over.
Kowalski: Yeah?
Prospector: But stay put.
Cop: Tracks. Let's go down and take a look.
Prospector: They must have found my old truck, he's circling out here.
Cop: It's a truck.
Pilot: It's a derelict. Probably been there since the depression.
[Helicopter leaves area.]
Prospector: He's heading out. Ok.
[K pulls Dodge out of the brush, Prospector gets into Dodge.]
Kowalski: Where to now?
Prospector: Straight ahead.
Kowalski: Ok.
Prospector: Straight ahead (?).
--------------
[They drive into the desert.]
[Nevada Highway Patrol office receives a report on K.]
Cop: Name, Kowalski. K-O-W-A-L-S-K-I. Christian name, Christian
name my flat foot, what is that?
( You Got To Believe - Delaney & Bonnie & Friends )
[J. Hovah and his congregation are in the desert listening to
Delaney & Bonnie & Friends.]
[K and Prospector pull up and park nearby.]
Kowalski: What is that?
Prospector: Faith healers. Now you, don't you come any closer, you just
wait for me right here in this automobile, you hear me?
Kowalski: Ok, partner.
Prospector: Oh, them healers don't like strangers much, and especially that
deacon Jesse Hovah, he's a, he's a mean one.
Kowalski: Yeah, and don't forget about the gas.
Prospector: Oh, I ain't forgetting the gas.
[J. Hovah walks over to meet Prospector.]
J. Hovah: You're late.
Prospector: Mr. Hovah, my truck broke down.
J. Hovah: Who is that man over there?
Prospector: Well, just like I was telling you, my truck... see, I ain't
getting any younger now, and uh...
J. Hovah: Who is that man?
Prospector: He's a friend.
J. Hovah: A friend, eh? How do you know?
Prospector: Ain't that a pretty one though, ain't that real pretty?
J. Hovah: Yeah. But we don't need 'em any more. Look, I told you these
meetings are private. Why did you bring a stranger here?
Prospector: Mr. Hovah. I didn't bring him, he brought me over.
J. Hovah: Why?
Prospector: Well, he needs some gas.
J. Hovah: Gas. Hmmm. You just take your gas and take him out of here.
Prospector: But Mr. Hovah, ain't you gonna give me my coffee, and sugar,
and the stuff...
J. Hovah: Uh huh, you'll get it.
Prospector: ...all the stuff that you promised me?
J. Hovah: We just don't need the snakes anymore, we got the music. So,
we are going to... free the vipers!
[J. Hovah empties snakes out of basket.]
[Prospector returns to Dodge with gas.]
Prospector: I think she's pretty much filled up now. Yup. Well, you can
leave now son.
Kowalski: How?
Prospector: Well, just follow the La Rea belt.
Kowalski: The what belt?
Prospector: The La Rea belt. I mean, always keep your eye on the trail
of the sun, and never lose your shadow. Well then when you
see very tall Saguaro cactuses don't lose them neither, cause
that's the La Rea belt. The Saguaro and a Creosote tree'll
take you right back onto the trail of earth.
Kowalski: Um hmm. So, that's the road?
Prospector: That's the road, yeah. (laughs) You're beginning to get the
fundamentals of it, son.
Kowalski: Maybe. Well thanks, Pa. Thanks for everything.
Prospector: You're very welcome.
Kowalski: Hope I'll be seeing you again.
Prospector: Vaya con Dios!
[K drives off, finds dirt road.]
[Nevada cop continues reading his report on K.]
Cop: Enlisted in U.S. Army 1960, service in Vietnam war. Wounded, Mai Kong
delta. Honorable discharge from Army, 1964. Medal of honor for
bravery in battle. Entered San Diego police force 1964. Twice
promoted, detective first class 1966. Dishonorable discharge.
Classified documents available to authorized personnel only.
Demolition derby driver and auto clown 1967, 68. Driving license
suspended 1968, previous failure to submit to alcohol level tests.
Minor jobs, other driving jobs from 1970 to date. Additional data,
none.
[SS sitting at KOW radio.]
Engineer: Ready now?
Super Soul: Not yet, not yet.
Engineer: Well, just tell me when.
Super Soul: I'm ready, but he's not ready yet.
Engineer: What?
Super Soul: Forget it, forget it. I'll tell you when I'm ready.
[2 queers are pushing their broken down car on the highway.]
Queer 1: Come on, push it!
Queer 2: I am pushing.
Queer 1: There's a car coming!
[K stops, queers push their car off the road and get into Dodge.]
Queer 1: Ah, what a relief.
Queer 2: Yes, thank you. You're very kind.
Kowalski: You're welcome.
Queer 2: Ah, pardon me, but could you please tell us in which direction
you're headed?
Kowalski: I'm going to 'Frisco.
Queer 2: Oh, well that's perfect. Thank you.
Queer 2: Is something wrong?
Kowalski: No, why, should there be?
Queer 2: Well, you're so silent, and moody.
Kowalski: Maybe it's just part of my nature.
Queer 2: Why are you laughing?
Kowalski: I'm not laughing.
Queer 2: Yes you are. Way down deep inside yourself. It's because you
think we're queers, isn't it?
Kowalski: Hey...
[Queer 2 pulls a gun on K.]
Queer 2: This is a stickup.
Kowalski: Stickup? (laughs)
Queer 1: Why are you laughing, mary? Well tell me. Tell me.
[K punches out queer with gun, stops to throw queers out of car.]
Queer 2: Oh, no no, please, it hurts. Oh, my hair.
[K pulls off in Dodge.]
Queer 2: You bitch!
( So Tired - Eve )
Super Soul: Hey, brother K.
Kowalski: Hi.
Super Soul: Welcome back. How're you feeling?
Kowalski: Tired.
Super Soul: Oh, I bet you tired. I bet you tired. Well, you wanna know what's
happening?
Kowalski: Yeah, what's happening?
Super Soul: Well, big brother is not so much watching as listening in, as you well
might have gathered by now. But what you probably don't know is that,
uh, they found these 2, let us say, gentlemen, on the road. They was
pretty badly battered up. Yeah. They musta had an accident or
something like that. But some smartass was putting the pressure on
them to charge you with some ugly nasty crime, let us say, assault and
battery. But the 2 gents in question refused to comply. Or as my
alter ego might put it, stickin' to they guns. Now, listen to this.
Some party or parties are busily preparing a little welcome committee
in the sunshine state. And the main doors, and even some side doors,
are heavily embellished with goblins and fuzzy frills. You know what
I mean?
Kowalski: Yeah, I know what you mean.
Super Soul: Hang on now brother, hang on.
[Truck full of rednecks pulls up to KOW radio.]
( Dear Jesus God - Segarini & Bishop )
Redneck: Allright everybody, clear the streets and you won't get hurt.
Hey! Hey nigger! Hey loudmouthed nigger! I'm gonna shut your
big black mouth! Let's get him!
[Rednecks break into radio station and beat up Engineer and SS.]
[K is driving down highway when KOW radio goes off the air.]
[Chopper pulls up beside K.]
Angel: Kowalski, hi!
Kowalski: Hey.
Angel: Hey, you need any help?
Kowalski: No thanks.
Angel: Sure?
Kowalski: I'm sure.
Angel: Far out, man.
Kowalski: Hey! Wait a second.
Angel: What?
Kowalski: You got any ups?
Angel: You mean speed?
Kowalski: Yeah.
Angel: Yeah, I got some back at the place.
Kowalski: How far is it?
Angel: About a mile. Ok, you wanna go back? Far out.
[K and Angel turn around and pull up to Angel's trailer.]
( Mississippi Queen - Mountain )
[Nude Rider is riding motorcycle around the trailer.]
[Angel throws bottle of pills to K.]
Kowalski: Thanks.
Angel: You want more water?
Kowalski: Nah, that's ok.
Angel: Why don't you keep these, I got a whole bunch of 'em in here.
Kowalski: Oh, no no. I can't use all that.
Angel: Well take what you need.
Kowalski: Thanks.
Angel: Allright.
Super Soul: Person to person call for Kowalski. Person to person call for Kowalski.
Can you hear me, Kowalski? This is to conform you of the latest
developments. Correction to my last delivery. All the main doors are
closed except one. This one opens to Sonora...
Angel: Oh far out man. That's just a couple of minutes up the road. You're
gonna make it, Kowalski.
[SS rambles on in the background...]
Super Soul: ...heh heh heh, yeah, the last chance...
Kowalski: Hey, you uh, you familiar with this jock's voice?
Angel: Super Soul? Yeah, why?
Kowalski: I don't know...
Angel: That's Super Soul. Maybe he's got a cold or something, but that's
his voice alright.
Kowalski: You really think so, huh?
Angel: Wait a minute. (To Nude Rider) Hey! Come here! Come on! Listen
to this.
Nude Rider: Yeah.
Angel: Who's voice is that?
Nude Rider: That's Super Soul, who else?
Angel: You sure?
Nude Rider: Of course I am.
Kowalski: You absolutely sure?
Nude Rider: Well, hang on a minute. Yeah, it sounds a little different. He
sounds kind of stiff, or square. He sounds a little mechanical.
Angel: You sense a trap, man?
Kowalski: Yeah, maybe.
Angel: Well you wait here 'til I get back.
Kowalski: Where you going?
Angel: Just wait here.
[Angel takes off on chopper to check out the highway.]
Nude Rider: You gonna stay with us?
Kowalski: No, no, I don't think so.
Nude Rider: Is there something I can do for you?
Kowalski: Well, like what?
Nude Rider: Like anything you want.
Kowalski: No, I can't think of anything.
Nude Rider: You don't fancy me?
Kowalski: Oh, yeah, yeah, very much.
Nude Rider: Then why don't we have some fun?
Kowalski: Thanks. Thanks just the same.
Nude Rider: That's ok. Isn't there something you'd like?
Kowalski: Yeah. Yeah, how about a smoke?
Nude Rider: Oh, ok, I'll roll you one.
Kowalski: No no no no. No, a straight one. Yeah.
Nude Rider: Allright.
[Nude Rider goes into trailer, returns with smokes and a poster of articles
about K when he was a policeman.]
Nude Rider: Here, keep the pack.
Kowalski: Thanks.
Nude Rider: You know you haven't changed much.
Kowalski: Hmmm?
Nude Rider: I said you haven't changed much.
Kowalski: Haven't I?
Nude Rider: Here.
Kowalski: (looking at poster) That was a long time ago.
Nude Rider: I know. I pasted it up when it first came out. When I cut it
out, I...
[Nude Rider rides off on motorcycle.]
[Cops are waiting at the California border.]
Cop 1: Well, it's a lot like shooting jackrabbits, ain't it?
Cop 2: Not by a damn shot, I know that.
[Angel returns to trailer.]
Angel: You're right, man. Sold you out. More cops than I ever seen, man.
You were sold out.
[Angel gets minibike out of trailer.]
Kowalski: What the hell's that for?
Angel: That's your pig pass.
[Angel gets siren to hook up to minibike. K and Angel head towards cops
in Dodge with lights and siren going.]
Cop: It's the police! Clear the road! Clear the road! Get those cars out
of there! Get those cars out! That's him! Get those cars out of
here! Get those cars out of here! Get after him! Get after him!
Get those cars out of here! Move! Move!
[2 cop cars crash into each other.]
Cop: Damn. Hey, that's my car!
[California Highway Patrol office is talking to Nevada police on the
phone.]
Dispatcher: This is California. We don't call them mothers or speed freaks
around here, but we're going to do what haven't been able to do.
We're going to stop him for good. Yes, we've been previously
informed of all that. Thank you Nevada.
[K and Angel remove minibike from roof of Dodge on the side of the road.]
Angel: Well, you don't need me anymore. You're in California. You're
almost home.
Kowalski: Can you make it on that?
Angel: You bet your ass, baby. Take care, Kowalski.
"California - Saturday - 7:12 P.M."
[K talks to Jake on the phone.]
Jake: Hey, K. I knew you wouldn't make it. What's happening? You
happening, man. You all over the front page. Here's the
headline: "Ex-race driver involved in massive police chase".
Yeah, they even printed poor Vera's story, plus her picture.
Hey man, whatchu out there driving like a wild man? You know
you're gonna lose your gig. It's not your car anyway.
Whatchu trying to prove, man? Are you high or what? Hey K,
you still there?
Kowalski: Look, just tell Sandy not to worry. I'm ok, and that car's gonna be
delivered Monday, right on time.
Jake: You're gassed, man.
Kowalski: No, listen it's... but it's double the bet next time around, huh?
Jake: Hey man. Don't do no silly shit out there, ok? Take care of
yourself.
Kowalski: Ok, I'll see you amigo.
[California police place arrows on a map pointing to where the bulldozers
will be set up.]
[SS pulls up to KOW radio and enters the station.]
Engineer: 10 seconds, Super.
( Sing Out For Jesus - Big Mama Thornton )
Super Soul: Ahhh, good morning to all you folks out there. Sunday morning here with
all men of good will and some of evil will thrown in for good measure.
All peace loving Christians getting ready to go to church this morning,
and here I am yours truly, yeah, Super Soul battling the stream of
unconsciousness and pedaling his labels (?) for the sake of good music to
-------------------
all you listeners out there. But I'm here on Sunday for the first time
in my life, and for the very first time this KOW radio station begins,
not only to DJ and to do my own thing, but to tell you a little story.
Now let's start at the beginning. But before we start, here's some
early Sunday morning wakeup music.
[Helicopter is following K. as he heads towards bulldozers.]
Super Soul: And today in a beautiful gesture made by beautiful people, in beautiful
downtown Goldfield, this radio station was named KOWalski, in honor of
the last American hero, to whom speed means freedom of the soul. The
question is not when he's going to stop, but who is going to stop him.
( Over Me - Segarini & Bishop )
[Crowd gathers at bulldozer site, preparing for K's arrival.]
Super Soul: Hello Kowalski. Kowalski. Please listen Kowalski. Oh, it's useless.
(To Engineer) Cut it off.
[K continues toward bulldozer site.]
Super Soul: Stop!
[K smiles as he sees bulldozers.]
[K crashes into bulldozers and dies.]
"California - Sunday - 10:04 A.M."
( Nobody Knows - Kim Carnes )
[Firemen begin to put out fire, and crowd begins to leave the scene.]
Kowalski.......................Barry Newman
Super Soul.....................Cleavon Little
Prospector.....................Dean Jagger
Vera...........................Victoria Medlin
Young Cop......................Paul Koslo
Older Cop......................Bob Donner
Angel..........................Timothy Scott
Nude Rider.....................Gilda Texter
First Male Hitchhiker..........Anthony James
Second Male Hitchhiker.........Arthur Malet
Clerk at Delivery Agency.......Karl Swenson
J. Hovah.......................Severn Darden
J. Hovah's Singers.............Delaney & Bonnie & Friends
Jake...........................Lee Weaver
First Girl.....................Cherie Foster
Second Girl....................Valerie Kairys
Sheriff........................Tom Reese
Communications Officer.........Owen Bush
Songs:
You Got To Believe
Composed by Delaney Bramlett
Sung by Delaney & Bonnie & Friends
(Courtesy of Atlantic Records)
I Can't Believe It
Composed & Sung by Longbranch/Pennywhistle
Super Soul Theme
Freedom of Expression
Composed & Played by The J.B. Pickers
Got It Together
Composed by Mike Settle
Sung by Bobby Doyle
Where Do We Go From Here
Composed by Mike Settle
Sung by Jimmy Walker
Runaway Country
Composed & Played by The Doug Dillard Expedition
So Tired
Composed & Sung by Eve
Dear Jesus God
Over Me
Composed & Sung by Segarini & Bishop
(Courtesy of Electra Records)
Welcome To Nevada
Composed by Don Lanier & Joe Bob Barnhill
Played by Jerry Reed
(Courtesy of RCA Victor Records)
Mississippi Queen
Composed by West, Laing, Pappalardi & Rea
Sung by Mountain
(Courtesy of Windfall-Bell Records)
Sweet Jesus
Composed & Sung by Red Steagall
(Courtesy of DOT Records)
Love Theme
Composed by Jimmy Bowen & Pete Carpenter
Played by Jimmy Bowen Orchestra And Chorus
Sing Out For Jesus
Composed by Kim Carnes
Sung by Big Mama Thornton
(Courtesy of Pentagram Records)
Nobody Knows
Composed by Mike Settle
Sung by Kim Carnes
A Cupid Production
Released by Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation
Found on INFlow Screenplay Repository
http://inflow.corky.net/scripts
For the transcript,
Events are enclosed in [ ]
Song titles are enclosed in ()
Subtitles are enclosed in ""
Unintelligible words are underlined and followed by (?)
CBS FOX Video - 20th Century Fox
Cupid Productions present
( Instrumental version of Nobody Knows )
VANISHING POINT
Starring Barry Newman
Co-starring Dean Jagger
Victoria Medlin
With Paul Koslo
Robert Donner
Timoty Scott
Anthony James
Arthur Malet
Lee Weaver
Karl Swenson
Severn Darden
Gilda Texter
Tom Reese
And Introducing Delaney & Bonnie and Friends
And Cleavon Little as "Super Soul"
Director of Photography John A. Alonzo
Film Editor Stefan Arnsten
Creative Associate Iain Quarrier
Associate to Mr. Sarafian and Casting Supervisor Michael McLean
Unit Production Manager Francisco Day
Production Administrator Maurice Unger
Assistant Director Richard Glassman
Sound Mixers Bill Edmondson
Tom Edwards
Theodore Soderberg
Wardrobe Master Ed Wynigear
Makeup Del Acevedo
Set Decoration Glen Daniels
Jerry Wunderlich
Property Master Dennis Parrish
Stunt Coordination Cary Loftin
Lewis Elias
Color by Deluxe
Copyright MCMLXXI by Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp
All rights reserved
Music Produced and Supervised by Jimmy Bowen
Musica Associates Pete Carpenter
Tom Thacker
Executive Producer Micheal Pearson
Screenplay by Guillermo Cain
From a story outline by Malcolm Hart
Produced by Norman Spencer
Directed by Richard C. Sarafian
[Bulldozers moving into position w/ Cops watching.]
[Cop cars arrive at bulldozer site.]
Bulldozer driver: Wonder what's going on? Here comes CBS news, must be
important.
Cop: Unit 2473 to helicopter.
Pilot: Helicopter, over.
Cop: Have you located suspect?
Pilot: Suspect under surveillance.
[K pursued by helicopter.]
[K does 180 at bulldozers.]
[K does another 180 at sight of cop cars, then drives into desert.]
Pilot: Helicopter 1 to car 2473. Suspect stopped, can't get away.
Cop: Allright, um, allright. Maintain surveillance.
[K gets out of Dodge for a minute.]
[K gets into Dodge, drives onto highway and passes black Chrysler.]
"California - Sunday - 10:09 A.M."
"Two Days Earlier"
"Denver Colorado - Friday - 11:30 P.M."
[K pulls black Chrysler into Argo's Delivery Service.]
Sandy: Kowalski! And the keys for a sawed-off weekend. Well you're both
welcome.
Kowalski: Whatdya got going for 'Frisco?
Sandy: You're not going back tonight. Hey, you're gonna kill yourself
someday, you know that? Do you know?
Kowalski: Yeah, yeah.
Sandy: Look, why don't you stay over 'til Monday, huh?
Kowalski: So you can go home right now.
Sandy: Oh yeah sure, sure. Just before midnight. Hey look, you know
something, when the clock strikes 12, my car turns into a pumpkin.
Kowalski: Hey Sandy, you know you're a born actor?
Sandy: Yeah, sure, sure. That's what my wife will say, when I tell her
I've been waiting up for you all night. Hey, look, look, seriously.
Look, why don't you stay over?
Kowalski: Nah.
Sandy: Look, you can do with some sleep, can't you?
Kowalski: Look, I gotta get started out tonight Sandy, now which car?
Sandy: Which?!
[K drives out of shop in Dodge.]
( I Can't Believe It - Longbranch/Pennywhistle )
[K pulls into parking lot.]
Jake: Hey K! Ha ha ha ha, what's happening? What's happening? Whatcha
need?
Kowalski: Speed.
Jake: Why not! Here, hold up. How you doin, K (?)
-
Kowalski: Fine, how're you doing?
Jake: Lookin' good. Say when.
Kowalski: Hold it, hold it, that's good, that's good.
Jake: Um hmm. Hey man hold it, I'll get you some water.
Kowalski: Uh uh. That's ok, forget it.
Jake: You sure?
Kowalski: Yeah, I'm gonna split.
Jake: Come on man, why don't you hang out for a while?
Kowalski: Uh uh, I gotta get moving.
Jake: Gotta get moving, gotta hit the road. Bullshit. How 'bout them 2
chicks over there to slow you down, huh?
Kowalski: Yeah, they're beautiful.
Jake: So drop out and join the cause.
Kowalski: Look, no offense Jake, but I gotta be in 'Frisco 3 o'clock tomorrow
afternoon.
Jake: Aaaah, you're puttin me on, right?
Kowalski: I wish to God I was.
Jake: Well then you're bullshitting yourself, because you cannot make it!
Kowalski: You wanna bet?
Jake: Well, this must be a souped up something.
Kowalski: Yeah, it's hopped up to over 160.
Jake: Wooo! But even so...
Kowalski: Here's what I'm gonna do with you. I'm gonna bet you the tab for the
bennies, and I'm gonna be in Frisco and I'm gonna call you 3 o'clock
tomorrow afternoon. Now if I don't, double the deal next time around.
Bet?
Jake: Bet!
[K pulls off in Dodge.]
Jake: Good luck buddy!
[K pulls out of Denver in Dodge.]
[SS walks down street towards radio station with seeing-eye dog while
"farm report" is being broadcast.]
Radio Engineer: 10 seconds, Super. You got it.
( Super Soul Theme - The J.B. Pickers )
Super Soul: Aaaah, good mornin' folks! This is yours truly Super, Super Soul.
Direct and live with no net early people. Without a net! Transmittin'
from KOW, spelled K-O-W, uh huh, the noisiest, bounciest, fanciest
radio station in the far west! Now let's kill some morning with some
wham bam, zoom boom wakeup music, with a little help from my friends.
Now take it away amigo. Heeey, get it! Allright! Uh huh! Takin' me
on home! We got a long way to go today baby!
( Got It Together - Bobby Doyle )
[K sees motorcycle cops in mirror.]
[First Cop pulls up beside K.]
First Cop: Wake up now. Hey, pull over. Pull over! You son of a bitch.
[K runs First Cop off the road.]
[K has flashback from his days as a motorcycle racer: He crashes his
motorcycle and then gets up and back into the race.]
Second Cop: You ok?
First Cop: Ok. Get him, get him!
Super Soul: And now, crashing into the top 10, comes the first really monstrous hit
of the 70's. A number that all by itself jumped 29, twenty-nine places
in 1 week. Uh huh, there's absolutely no doubt whatsoever, as they say,
that this will be, next week, number one. Numero uno, baby! The
itchybang entitled Where Do You Go From Here, baby, by Brian Obine.
Sock it to 'em Brian baby. Allright, get to it!
( Where Do We Go From Here - Jimmy Walker )
[K and Second Cop drive thru construction zone.]
[K jumps over dry creek bed, Second Cop wrecks.]
Dispatcher: 123, what's your location?
Second Cop: We've been in a 2 bike pileup on 53.
Dispatcher: 10-4, how far out are you?
Second Cop: About 5 miles from Thompson.
Dispatcher: Can you give me a description on the car?
Second Cop: A 1970 white Challenger, Colorado license OA-5599.
Dispatcher: 10-4, was anybody injured?
Second Cop: No injuries.
Dispatcher: 10-4, return to your station then.
Second Cop: Ok. We're on our way in, but you best send a truck for that
other motorcycle.
[Cops drive back on damaged motorcycle.]
( Freedom Of Expression - The J.B. Pickers )
Radio Engineer: Hey Supe, pick up on this, man. Attention all highway
patrol stations, suspect vehicle 1970 Dodge Challenger,
white in color.
[K avoids roadblock, is pursued by police cars.]
[K eludes police cars.]
[K has flashback from his days as a stock car driver: He crashes his
car.]
[Jaguar pulls alongside K.]
Jaguar Driver: Greetings, sir. Let's race! You got any balls in
that mother?
[K runs Jaguar off the road]
Jaguar driver: You bastard!
[K lets Jaguar catch back up]
[K beats Jaguar to 1-lane bridge, Jaguar crashes into river.]
[K gets out to see if Jaguar Driver is ok. Police cars approach bridge,
K gets into Dodge and takes off.]
[K runs line painter truck off the road, crosses border into Nevada.]
Cop: Car 24 to headquarters, car 24 to headquarters.
Dispatcher: Come in car 24.
Cop: Yeah, we lost him at the Nevada border. We better let Nevada handle
it, this guy's nuts.
Dispatcher: 10-4. Will advise Nevada highway patrol.
( Welcome To Nevada - Jerry Reed )
[K pulls to side of road.]
"Nevada - Saturday - 11:43 A.M."
[Sheriff sitting in Nevada police station talking to Colorado police
on radio.]
Sheriff: Yeah, I got it allright. Initials OA-5599 Colorado plates. Now,
what's this road runner done, fellas?
[SS is eating lunch in radio station.]
Radio Engineer: Hey Supe, I got them on the air now.
Sheriff: Yeah, quite a mother. But, uh, well fellas, as you know, we can't
throw anything at him except dangerous driving and failure to stop.
Misdemeanors both of 'em, over here. Yeah. Well, you told me that
once, comarade. But has this bronco in the Jaguar filed a formal
complaint?
Colorado Cop: No he hasn't.
Sheriff: Well, there you are. That isn't even a felony, brother.
Colorado Cop: What are you guys going to do about him?
Sheriff: Well, he hasn't got us bugged any. He's the one that's gonna have
to start worrying, as of right now.
Colorado Cop: Good luck.
Sheriff: Yeah, don't you worry, we'll catch him.
[K pulls into gas station, honks horn. Girl comes out to pump gas.]
Girl: May I help you, sir? May I help you?
Kowalski: Yeah, fill 'er up, please.
Girl: Thank you sir.
[K has flashback from his days as a police officer: He's sitting in front
seat, other cop is in back seat questioning a girl.]
Cop: C'mon baby, relax. I'm not going to hurt you. C'mon, baby. You play
ball with me and I'll let you go, huh? Allright, c'mon tell me. Where
did you get the stuff, huh? Which house?
[Cop begins to molest girl. K gets out, opens back door, and attacks Cop
while girl runs away.]
[End of flashback. K pulls out of gas station.]
( Instrumental version of Nobody Knows )
[K. drives down long straightaway. SS begins transmitting information over
KOW radio.]
Super Soul: And there goes the Challenger, being chased by the blue blue meanies on
wheels. The vicious traffic squad cars are after our lone driver, the
last American hero, the electric sitar, the demigod, the super driver
of the golden west. Two nasty Nazi cars are close behind the beautiful
lone driver. The police numbers are gettin' closer, closer, closer to
our soul hero in his soul mobile, yeah baby. They're about to strike,
they're gonna get him, smash him, rape the last beautiful free soul on
this planet. But, it is written, if the evil spirit arms the tiger with
claws, Brahman provideth wings for the dove. Thus spake, the super
guru.
[Nevada cops are sitting on the side of the road, listening to SS.]
Cop 1: Did you hear that?
Cop 2: Yeah.
Cop 1: Where the hell he get so much information?
Cop 2: Same place as you do, Charlie.
Cop 1: You mean from own frequency?
Cop 2: That's right.
Cop 1: How long's he been at it?
Cop 2: A year and a half, maybe two.
Cop 1: Hell, that's against the law.
Cop 2: So's carrying a transistor on duty.
Cop 1: Hey, come on now, that's different.
Cop 2: But he never says anything to incriminate himself. Brains and
lawyers, Charlie. As far as the law's concerned, he's clean as
Kleenex.
Super Soul: It's true, true, true, true my friends. For by the latest information,
our soul Challenger has just broken the ring of evil the deep blue
meanies have so righteously wrought! Get through 'em baby, get
through 'em!
Cop 1: Friggin' faggot.
[K continues down highway, passes big truck.]
Dispatcher: Attention, calling car 44. Attention car 44, do you read me?
Cop 2: Gimme that. This is car 44, reading you loud and clear, over.
Dispatcher: Where are you car 44?
Cop 2: We're on 80, some 10 miles from Archenta (?), over.
--------
Dispatcher: Well good, stay with it. Watch for a white Challenger, license
plates initial OA-5599. Colorado plates. Last seen heading for
Dunphy on US 40 at cruising speed. We have reason to believe
that it's supercharged, so maintain double alert 'til you spot
it, and then call in for instructions. Over and out.
Cop 2: Let's go. C'mon, let's go.
[Cops pull off onto highway, get within sight of K.]
Cop 1: What do you think he's done?
Cop 2: Don't know.
Cop 1: Well, what do you think?
Cop 2: I think he's gonna hijack that car to Cuba (laughs).
Cop 1: Don't be ridiculous.
Cop 2: Hell, Charlie, I don't know. Maybe killed somebody. Maybe stole
that big dude of his. Maybe both.
( Runaway Country - The Doug Dillard Expedition )
[Cops gain on K.]
[K comes up on 2 more cop cars, does 180 and heads toward first cop car.]
Cop 1: Hey, what's he doing? Jesus Christ, watch it. Watch it, watch it!]
[Cops spin out.]
Cop 2: Move over! Let me take it! Let go, let go! I'm gonna get that son
of a bitch, so help me I'm gonna get that son of a bitch!
[First cop car resumes chase.]
[Dispatcher at Colorado State Patrol transmits information to Nevada
police.]
Dispatcher: Hello Nevada. Hello Nevada. Nevada, this is Colorado State
Highway Patrol. This is about a special query raised by the
Utah Highway Patrol. Affirmative, that's correct. But later
they asked that the information be forwarded to you guys, so
get ready for some details. Turn on your tape recorders and
all that sort of jazz, huh. Apparently this speed maniac
you've been chasing all over your territory is a former
professional road racer named Kowalski, K-O-W-A-L-S-K-I.
Repeat Kowalski. First name unknown, other particulars also
unknown. All we do know is that he's employed as a car
delivery driver by an agency in Denver. He's presently driving
a Dodge Challenger, Colorado license plate OA-5599. This is
not a stolen car. He's driving it to San Francisco for a
delivery due Monday.
Cop 1: It's only Saturday, what's his hurry?
Dispatcher: That's what we wanted to know ourselves, so your guess is as
good as ours.
Cop 1: 10-4.
[K continues, pursued by first cop car.]
[First cop car crashes.]
Cop 1: You allright?
Cop 2: Yeah. 44 to headquarters, 44 to headquarters.
Dispatcher: Come in car 44.
Cop 2: He's on npa (?). I lost him.
---
Dispatcher: What?
Cop 2: Headed for Tonopah...
[Other cop car pulls up to assist.]
Dispatcher: What the hell's going on out there Collins?
Cop 2: We creamed our car.
Dispatcher: Where the hell are you now?
Cop 1: You gone crazy? Correction, we're still after him. We haven't
lost him, we're still after him, now come on.
Dispatcher: Stay right where you are, we're coming to you right now.
Cop 1: Come on!
[Cops get into other cop car and resume chase.]
[Cops slowly gain on K. 2 other cop cars come from the other direction.
K pulls off into desert. Cops pull to side of road.]
Cop 1: Gimme that. Car 44 to headquarters.
Dispatcher: Come in 44.
Cop 1: He's jumped the main road and headed out into the desert.
I'll let him cook out there for a while. He ain't going
nowhere.
Super Soul: What's he trying to prove now?
Engineer: Anytime now, Super.
Super Soul: Run a tape.
Engineer: I already ran a tape twice.
Super Soul: Come on man, are you blind or something? Can't you see I'm thinking?
Engineer: Crazy.
"Nevada - Saturday - 1:36 P.M."
[K drives through desert, realizes he's lost after crossing his own
tracks.]
Super Soul: Kowalski. Kowalski can you hear me? Do you hear me Kowalski?
I know you can hear me Kowalski, I'm sure you hear me now, this
very minute. Now, you listen very carefully. The whole mobile
force of the Nevada State Highway Patrol is after you. They
waiting for you to come up for air. Yeah. Now some people
imagine you'll try to get to California through Death Valley,
and others bet you'll die there in the desert. These few are
just too happy to see you vanish for good out there. But my tape
deck is just as jammed with telegrams as my head is jammed with
phone calls from people who are wishing you well in your getaway,
no matter where it might lead you. I wish I could help you, but I
can't. I can't. I don't think anybody can, except for that crazy
lucky streak of yours. And now you're going to need more luck...
all of it perhaps, and badly. You can beat the police, you can beat
the road, and you can even beat the clock, but you can't beat the
desert. Nobody can. You just cannot.
Kowalski: Go to hell.
Super Soul: Wait!
[K gets back in Dodge and takes off.]
[K has flashback from his days with his girlfriend:]
( Love Theme - Jimmy Bowen Orchestra And Chorus )
Vera: I love you.
[K and Vera are on the beach in the back of a van. Vera rolls a joint.]
Vera: Wouldn't it be funny after all if you did have to arrest me? I mean,
me trying to turn you on, and you trying to turn me in? I love this.
I love your scar. You hate it, I love it.
Kowalski: No, I don't hate it. I just hate what it means.
Vera: What does it mean? Only if you make war on war will you overcome it.
I love you. I love you.
Kowalski: You're crazy surfing in the middle of winter.
Vera: I'm going out again. Maybe I'll catch an 8-footer. I'll ride it in
your honor. Sayonara. Remember me.
[Vera goes surfing and drowns.]
[End of flashback. K gets a flat tire in the desert and begins to change
it.]
[In Denver, the media and a crowd of people are gathered at the car
delivery agency.]
TV Reporter: Here we are at point zero, where the Kowalski saga began,
and to be interviewed by KLZ TV News is the owner of the
agency Mr. Holly Makas, and one of the attendants, Sandy
McKees. Sandy, you knew this man best, what do you think
of Kowalski?
Sandy: Well, he's a great driver.
TV Reporter: What? What did you say?
Sandy: I said he's a great driver.
TV Reporter: A great driver, we all knew that.
Sandy: You won't find driver like him anywhere...
TV Reporter: But as a professional driver, he never really made the grade,
did he?
Sandy: Well, you know why? He never really wanted to. So far as I'm
concerned, he was number one then, and he's number one now.
[Crowd cheers.]
Sandy: Can't find a driver with his potential, right? Why don't they leave
him alone? Let the guy alone. Look, he never done any harm.
TV Reporter: This is Bob Palmer, KLZ TV News, in Denver.
[Media is interviewing SS at KOW radio.]
Reporter: Super Soul needs no introduction as our number one disc jockey.
But he's certainly on his way to becoming a national celebrity
in his own right, as the invisible guide of Kowalski.
Super Soul: The blind leading the blind.
Reporter: As you all remember, Kowalski was involved in a cross country
chase starting in Denver, Colorado.
[K finishes changing flat tire, goes to put flat in trunk and is confronted
by a rattlesnake.]
Prospector: Stay right where you are, son. Don't move stranger, don't move,
cause I'll get him for you. I'll get him. I'll get him. Stick
your pretty little head right through there baby, that's it, now
we got him. Now we'll get our basket over here, look at that,
live and wigglin', yeah, ain't that a beauty? Oh, ain't that a
fat one though? Now we'll get him in here. Thank you son,
that's got it.
Kowalski: Thank you. How many do you have in there?
Prospector: 6 rattlers, 2 sidewinders, and now we've got 1 very precious
diamondback.
Kowalski: What do you do with those things?
Prospector: Trade 'em. Trade 'em for coffee, sugar, chewing tobacco, salt,
flour, and beans, and lots of beans son (laughs).
Kowalski: You live out here, huh? Look, I'm lost and I need your help.
Super Soul: Attention Kowalski. I've got an important message for you. Kowalski,
are you listening? Now dig this. Coppers from the Highway Patrol
are combing the desert hunting for you. Listen carefully. Believe
it or not, they trying to help you, they really are. Dig it?
[K turns off radio.]
Prospector: That depends, son.
Kowalski: What?
Prospector: You said you needed my help, so that depends on your helping me
first. Helping me to get where it was that, to get where it was
that I was headed for. One of them is a-comin' on now.
Kowalski: I can't see a damn thing out there.
Prospector: I bet you can't even see my truck neither, and that's (spits)
just over there.
Kowalski: Let's get the hell out of here, huh?
Prospector: No, no, that ain't anyway to do it, that's no, that's no way to,
to get the hell out. No, the best way to my knowledge to get
away is to root right in where you are, just root right in.
[Helicopter is searching desert, passes over Dodge hidden under brush.]
Prospector: They just went over.
Kowalski: Yeah?
Prospector: But stay put.
Cop: Tracks. Let's go down and take a look.
Prospector: They must have found my old truck, he's circling out here.
Cop: It's a truck.
Pilot: It's a derelict. Probably been there since the depression.
[Helicopter leaves area.]
Prospector: He's heading out. Ok.
[K pulls Dodge out of the brush, Prospector gets into Dodge.]
Kowalski: Where to now?
Prospector: Straight ahead.
Kowalski: Ok.
Prospector: Straight ahead (?).
--------------
[They drive into the desert.]
[Nevada Highway Patrol office receives a report on K.]
Cop: Name, Kowalski. K-O-W-A-L-S-K-I. Christian name, Christian
name my flat foot, what is that?
( You Got To Believe - Delaney & Bonnie & Friends )
[J. Hovah and his congregation are in the desert listening to
Delaney & Bonnie & Friends.]
[K and Prospector pull up and park nearby.]
Kowalski: What is that?
Prospector: Faith healers. Now you, don't you come any closer, you just
wait for me right here in this automobile, you hear me?
Kowalski: Ok, partner.
Prospector: Oh, them healers don't like strangers much, and especially that
deacon Jesse Hovah, he's a, he's a mean one.
Kowalski: Yeah, and don't forget about the gas.
Prospector: Oh, I ain't forgetting the gas.
[J. Hovah walks over to meet Prospector.]
J. Hovah: You're late.
Prospector: Mr. Hovah, my truck broke down.
J. Hovah: Who is that man over there?
Prospector: Well, just like I was telling you, my truck... see, I ain't
getting any younger now, and uh...
J. Hovah: Who is that man?
Prospector: He's a friend.
J. Hovah: A friend, eh? How do you know?
Prospector: Ain't that a pretty one though, ain't that real pretty?
J. Hovah: Yeah. But we don't need 'em any more. Look, I told you these
meetings are private. Why did you bring a stranger here?
Prospector: Mr. Hovah. I didn't bring him, he brought me over.
J. Hovah: Why?
Prospector: Well, he needs some gas.
J. Hovah: Gas. Hmmm. You just take your gas and take him out of here.
Prospector: But Mr. Hovah, ain't you gonna give me my coffee, and sugar,
and the stuff...
J. Hovah: Uh huh, you'll get it.
Prospector: ...all the stuff that you promised me?
J. Hovah: We just don't need the snakes anymore, we got the music. So,
we are going to... free the vipers!
[J. Hovah empties snakes out of basket.]
[Prospector returns to Dodge with gas.]
Prospector: I think she's pretty much filled up now. Yup. Well, you can
leave now son.
Kowalski: How?
Prospector: Well, just follow the La Rea belt.
Kowalski: The what belt?
Prospector: The La Rea belt. I mean, always keep your eye on the trail
of the sun, and never lose your shadow. Well then when you
see very tall Saguaro cactuses don't lose them neither, cause
that's the La Rea belt. The Saguaro and a Creosote tree'll
take you right back onto the trail of earth.
Kowalski: Um hmm. So, that's the road?
Prospector: That's the road, yeah. (laughs) You're beginning to get the
fundamentals of it, son.
Kowalski: Maybe. Well thanks, Pa. Thanks for everything.
Prospector: You're very welcome.
Kowalski: Hope I'll be seeing you again.
Prospector: Vaya con Dios!
[K drives off, finds dirt road.]
[Nevada cop continues reading his report on K.]
Cop: Enlisted in U.S. Army 1960, service in Vietnam war. Wounded, Mai Kong
delta. Honorable discharge from Army, 1964. Medal of honor for
bravery in battle. Entered San Diego police force 1964. Twice
promoted, detective first class 1966. Dishonorable discharge.
Classified documents available to authorized personnel only.
Demolition derby driver and auto clown 1967, 68. Driving license
suspended 1968, previous failure to submit to alcohol level tests.
Minor jobs, other driving jobs from 1970 to date. Additional data,
none.
[SS sitting at KOW radio.]
Engineer: Ready now?
Super Soul: Not yet, not yet.
Engineer: Well, just tell me when.
Super Soul: I'm ready, but he's not ready yet.
Engineer: What?
Super Soul: Forget it, forget it. I'll tell you when I'm ready.
[2 queers are pushing their broken down car on the highway.]
Queer 1: Come on, push it!
Queer 2: I am pushing.
Queer 1: There's a car coming!
[K stops, queers push their car off the road and get into Dodge.]
Queer 1: Ah, what a relief.
Queer 2: Yes, thank you. You're very kind.
Kowalski: You're welcome.
Queer 2: Ah, pardon me, but could you please tell us in which direction
you're headed?
Kowalski: I'm going to 'Frisco.
Queer 2: Oh, well that's perfect. Thank you.
Queer 2: Is something wrong?
Kowalski: No, why, should there be?
Queer 2: Well, you're so silent, and moody.
Kowalski: Maybe it's just part of my nature.
Queer 2: Why are you laughing?
Kowalski: I'm not laughing.
Queer 2: Yes you are. Way down deep inside yourself. It's because you
think we're queers, isn't it?
Kowalski: Hey...
[Queer 2 pulls a gun on K.]
Queer 2: This is a stickup.
Kowalski: Stickup? (laughs)
Queer 1: Why are you laughing, mary? Well tell me. Tell me.
[K punches out queer with gun, stops to throw queers out of car.]
Queer 2: Oh, no no, please, it hurts. Oh, my hair.
[K pulls off in Dodge.]
Queer 2: You bitch!
( So Tired - Eve )
Super Soul: Hey, brother K.
Kowalski: Hi.
Super Soul: Welcome back. How're you feeling?
Kowalski: Tired.
Super Soul: Oh, I bet you tired. I bet you tired. Well, you wanna know what's
happening?
Kowalski: Yeah, what's happening?
Super Soul: Well, big brother is not so much watching as listening in, as you well
might have gathered by now. But what you probably don't know is that,
uh, they found these 2, let us say, gentlemen, on the road. They was
pretty badly battered up. Yeah. They musta had an accident or
something like that. But some smartass was putting the pressure on
them to charge you with some ugly nasty crime, let us say, assault and
battery. But the 2 gents in question refused to comply. Or as my
alter ego might put it, stickin' to they guns. Now, listen to this.
Some party or parties are busily preparing a little welcome committee
in the sunshine state. And the main doors, and even some side doors,
are heavily embellished with goblins and fuzzy frills. You know what
I mean?
Kowalski: Yeah, I know what you mean.
Super Soul: Hang on now brother, hang on.
[Truck full of rednecks pulls up to KOW radio.]
( Dear Jesus God - Segarini & Bishop )
Redneck: Allright everybody, clear the streets and you won't get hurt.
Hey! Hey nigger! Hey loudmouthed nigger! I'm gonna shut your
big black mouth! Let's get him!
[Rednecks break into radio station and beat up Engineer and SS.]
[K is driving down highway when KOW radio goes off the air.]
[Chopper pulls up beside K.]
Angel: Kowalski, hi!
Kowalski: Hey.
Angel: Hey, you need any help?
Kowalski: No thanks.
Angel: Sure?
Kowalski: I'm sure.
Angel: Far out, man.
Kowalski: Hey! Wait a second.
Angel: What?
Kowalski: You got any ups?
Angel: You mean speed?
Kowalski: Yeah.
Angel: Yeah, I got some back at the place.
Kowalski: How far is it?
Angel: About a mile. Ok, you wanna go back? Far out.
[K and Angel turn around and pull up to Angel's trailer.]
( Mississippi Queen - Mountain )
[Nude Rider is riding motorcycle around the trailer.]
[Angel throws bottle of pills to K.]
Kowalski: Thanks.
Angel: You want more water?
Kowalski: Nah, that's ok.
Angel: Why don't you keep these, I got a whole bunch of 'em in here.
Kowalski: Oh, no no. I can't use all that.
Angel: Well take what you need.
Kowalski: Thanks.
Angel: Allright.
Super Soul: Person to person call for Kowalski. Person to person call for Kowalski.
Can you hear me, Kowalski? This is to conform you of the latest
developments. Correction to my last delivery. All the main doors are
closed except one. This one opens to Sonora...
Angel: Oh far out man. That's just a couple of minutes up the road. You're
gonna make it, Kowalski.
[SS rambles on in the background...]
Super Soul: ...heh heh heh, yeah, the last chance...
Kowalski: Hey, you uh, you familiar with this jock's voice?
Angel: Super Soul? Yeah, why?
Kowalski: I don't know...
Angel: That's Super Soul. Maybe he's got a cold or something, but that's
his voice alright.
Kowalski: You really think so, huh?
Angel: Wait a minute. (To Nude Rider) Hey! Come here! Come on! Listen
to this.
Nude Rider: Yeah.
Angel: Who's voice is that?
Nude Rider: That's Super Soul, who else?
Angel: You sure?
Nude Rider: Of course I am.
Kowalski: You absolutely sure?
Nude Rider: Well, hang on a minute. Yeah, it sounds a little different. He
sounds kind of stiff, or square. He sounds a little mechanical.
Angel: You sense a trap, man?
Kowalski: Yeah, maybe.
Angel: Well you wait here 'til I get back.
Kowalski: Where you going?
Angel: Just wait here.
[Angel takes off on chopper to check out the highway.]
Nude Rider: You gonna stay with us?
Kowalski: No, no, I don't think so.
Nude Rider: Is there something I can do for you?
Kowalski: Well, like what?
Nude Rider: Like anything you want.
Kowalski: No, I can't think of anything.
Nude Rider: You don't fancy me?
Kowalski: Oh, yeah, yeah, very much.
Nude Rider: Then why don't we have some fun?
Kowalski: Thanks. Thanks just the same.
Nude Rider: That's ok. Isn't there something you'd like?
Kowalski: Yeah. Yeah, how about a smoke?
Nude Rider: Oh, ok, I'll roll you one.
Kowalski: No no no no. No, a straight one. Yeah.
Nude Rider: Allright.
[Nude Rider goes into trailer, returns with smokes and a poster of articles
about K when he was a policeman.]
Nude Rider: Here, keep the pack.
Kowalski: Thanks.
Nude Rider: You know you haven't changed much.
Kowalski: Hmmm?
Nude Rider: I said you haven't changed much.
Kowalski: Haven't I?
Nude Rider: Here.
Kowalski: (looking at poster) That was a long time ago.
Nude Rider: I know. I pasted it up when it first came out. When I cut it
out, I...
[Nude Rider rides off on motorcycle.]
[Cops are waiting at the California border.]
Cop 1: Well, it's a lot like shooting jackrabbits, ain't it?
Cop 2: Not by a damn shot, I know that.
[Angel returns to trailer.]
Angel: You're right, man. Sold you out. More cops than I ever seen, man.
You were sold out.
[Angel gets minibike out of trailer.]
Kowalski: What the hell's that for?
Angel: That's your pig pass.
[Angel gets siren to hook up to minibike. K and Angel head towards cops
in Dodge with lights and siren going.]
Cop: It's the police! Clear the road! Clear the road! Get those cars out
of there! Get those cars out! That's him! Get those cars out of
here! Get those cars out of here! Get after him! Get after him!
Get those cars out of here! Move! Move!
[2 cop cars crash into each other.]
Cop: Damn. Hey, that's my car!
[California Highway Patrol office is talking to Nevada police on the
phone.]
Dispatcher: This is California. We don't call them mothers or speed freaks
around here, but we're going to do what haven't been able to do.
We're going to stop him for good. Yes, we've been previously
informed of all that. Thank you Nevada.
[K and Angel remove minibike from roof of Dodge on the side of the road.]
Angel: Well, you don't need me anymore. You're in California. You're
almost home.
Kowalski: Can you make it on that?
Angel: You bet your ass, baby. Take care, Kowalski.
"California - Saturday - 7:12 P.M."
[K talks to Jake on the phone.]
Jake: Hey, K. I knew you wouldn't make it. What's happening? You
happening, man. You all over the front page. Here's the
headline: "Ex-race driver involved in massive police chase".
Yeah, they even printed poor Vera's story, plus her picture.
Hey man, whatchu out there driving like a wild man? You know
you're gonna lose your gig. It's not your car anyway.
Whatchu trying to prove, man? Are you high or what? Hey K,
you still there?
Kowalski: Look, just tell Sandy not to worry. I'm ok, and that car's gonna be
delivered Monday, right on time.
Jake: You're gassed, man.
Kowalski: No, listen it's... but it's double the bet next time around, huh?
Jake: Hey man. Don't do no silly shit out there, ok? Take care of
yourself.
Kowalski: Ok, I'll see you amigo.
[California police place arrows on a map pointing to where the bulldozers
will be set up.]
[SS pulls up to KOW radio and enters the station.]
Engineer: 10 seconds, Super.
( Sing Out For Jesus - Big Mama Thornton )
Super Soul: Ahhh, good morning to all you folks out there. Sunday morning here with
all men of good will and some of evil will thrown in for good measure.
All peace loving Christians getting ready to go to church this morning,
and here I am yours truly, yeah, Super Soul battling the stream of
unconsciousness and pedaling his labels (?) for the sake of good music to
-------------------
all you listeners out there. But I'm here on Sunday for the first time
in my life, and for the very first time this KOW radio station begins,
not only to DJ and to do my own thing, but to tell you a little story.
Now let's start at the beginning. But before we start, here's some
early Sunday morning wakeup music.
[Helicopter is following K. as he heads towards bulldozers.]
Super Soul: And today in a beautiful gesture made by beautiful people, in beautiful
downtown Goldfield, this radio station was named KOWalski, in honor of
the last American hero, to whom speed means freedom of the soul. The
question is not when he's going to stop, but who is going to stop him.
( Over Me - Segarini & Bishop )
[Crowd gathers at bulldozer site, preparing for K's arrival.]
Super Soul: Hello Kowalski. Kowalski. Please listen Kowalski. Oh, it's useless.
(To Engineer) Cut it off.
[K continues toward bulldozer site.]
Super Soul: Stop!
[K smiles as he sees bulldozers.]
[K crashes into bulldozers and dies.]
"California - Sunday - 10:04 A.M."
( Nobody Knows - Kim Carnes )
[Firemen begin to put out fire, and crowd begins to leave the scene.]
Kowalski.......................Barry Newman
Super Soul.....................Cleavon Little
Prospector.....................Dean Jagger
Vera...........................Victoria Medlin
Young Cop......................Paul Koslo
Older Cop......................Bob Donner
Angel..........................Timothy Scott
Nude Rider.....................Gilda Texter
First Male Hitchhiker..........Anthony James
Second Male Hitchhiker.........Arthur Malet
Clerk at Delivery Agency.......Karl Swenson
J. Hovah.......................Severn Darden
J. Hovah's Singers.............Delaney & Bonnie & Friends
Jake...........................Lee Weaver
First Girl.....................Cherie Foster
Second Girl....................Valerie Kairys
Sheriff........................Tom Reese
Communications Officer.........Owen Bush
Songs:
You Got To Believe
Composed by Delaney Bramlett
Sung by Delaney & Bonnie & Friends
(Courtesy of Atlantic Records)
I Can't Believe It
Composed & Sung by Longbranch/Pennywhistle
Super Soul Theme
Freedom of Expression
Composed & Played by The J.B. Pickers
Got It Together
Composed by Mike Settle
Sung by Bobby Doyle
Where Do We Go From Here
Composed by Mike Settle
Sung by Jimmy Walker
Runaway Country
Composed & Played by The Doug Dillard Expedition
So Tired
Composed & Sung by Eve
Dear Jesus God
Over Me
Composed & Sung by Segarini & Bishop
(Courtesy of Electra Records)
Welcome To Nevada
Composed by Don Lanier & Joe Bob Barnhill
Played by Jerry Reed
(Courtesy of RCA Victor Records)
Mississippi Queen
Composed by West, Laing, Pappalardi & Rea
Sung by Mountain
(Courtesy of Windfall-Bell Records)
Sweet Jesus
Composed & Sung by Red Steagall
(Courtesy of DOT Records)
Love Theme
Composed by Jimmy Bowen & Pete Carpenter
Played by Jimmy Bowen Orchestra And Chorus
Sing Out For Jesus
Composed by Kim Carnes
Sung by Big Mama Thornton
(Courtesy of Pentagram Records)
Nobody Knows
Composed by Mike Settle
Sung by Kim Carnes
A Cupid Production
Released by Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation
Found on INFlow Screenplay Repository
http://inflow.corky.net/scripts
