moonspinner55 In only his second feature as an actor, NY Jets quarterback Joe Namath had already developed an easy screen presence with a combination of aw-shucks smiles and mild, almost polite line-readings--which, ultimately, causes him to seem out of place here as a member of a motorcycle gang who make their home in the Arizona desert. After rescuing fashion magazine journalist Ann-Margret from being molested by two of his mangy compadres, Namath gets on the wrong side of psychotic gang leader William Smith (strutting around like a prize rooster). But Namath is too decent and well-mannered to be involved with these goons in the first place. He isn't above making love in the dirt with one of the broads from the gang--and, in the amusing opening sequence, he helps himself to a sandwich in the aisles of a supermarket--but "bad company" Namath is not. Tacky, noisy wheeler wants to please its core audience, which is to say it wants to be all things to degenerates of all types. Written and co-produced by Ann-Margret's husband-manager, Roger Smith, the movie was intended to show off the star to a new generation after a period of decline but, miscast or not, it's Namath's picture. He's a good guy even when he's hanging out with the bad guys. *1/2 from ****

gerard-21 Largely forgotten now, this movie was viewed by a lot of people in the 1970s. Parents saw it, mainly for Ann Margeret, in movie theaters during its 1st run, older kids caught it, mainly for Joe Namath, during its drive-in run and all us youngsters saw it when it made it's way to TV in the mid-1970s. I remember it fondly.A product of a by gone era, it's really not as bad as some have made it out to be. Worth it for the novelty of Joe Namath and the 1970s cheese factor alone. Broadway Joe isn't really half bad because he did have tremendous charisma and a screen presence which somewhat compensates for his lack of acting chops. Plus as his adversary, we have quintessential 1970s bad guy, William Smith (the unforgettable Falconetti from Rich Man, Poor Man mini series or bad-ass Jack Wilson in Clint Eastwood's Any Which Way You Can) who turns in a fine performance. Throw in Sid Haig, Crispin Glover's father Bruce (of Diamond's Are Forever fame) and a delightfully campy performance from Teda Bracci and you have a pretty memorable Biker gang.I wonder if Ann Margret and her husband originally thought of Elvis for the title role because this film is similar to many of his mid-sixties on screen personas (misunderstood rebel woos wary girl, defeats opposition in race at end). Fortunately for Elvis, his career, unlike Miss Margret's at the time, had just been spectacularly reignited with his TV Comeback Special and Vegas headlining. Anyway, Ann always possessed a great screen presence of her own; enough, along with all the outdoor scenery, to keep the viewer interested.I think if you take this movie for what it is, a mindless artifact of late 1960s/early 1970s culture starring one of that era's biggest icons, you won't regret having spent 90 mins. watching it on a dreary Saturday afternoon.

R C C.C. & Company isn't great, and it isn't supposed to be. It's entertaining and sleazy, and that's all that matters. Namath charms his way through his undemanding role, riding his motorcycle, committing casual thefts, romancing Ann-Margret, and kicking some ass when he has to.Meanwhile, there's plenty of buzzy motors, scuzzy bikers (including genre stalwart William Smith and Sid Haig in a furry helmet), and generic fuzzy bike-riding music to keep the genre enthusiasts satisfied. The most enjoyable camp component of the movie, however, has to be the sweaty musical interlude courtesy of hollerin' Wayne Cochran and the C.C. Riders, with white guy Wayne coming off as James Brown in a blonde proto-mullet and headband.Watch it on a Saturday afternoon with low to medium expectations, don't expect too much violent action, and you ought to enjoy yourself.

doctor_gogol-1 Its starring Joe Namath, for God sakes. Don't expect it to be Citizen Kane. However, if your taste in movies is tasteless, this film wont let you down.Its got everything you want in a trash movie; REALLY bad acting, exploitation of naked actresses, fighting, motorcycle chases, bad camera work, etc...Among the highlights: 1) the only big screen film appearance of Wayne Cochran and the CC riders. He was known as the white James Brown and his cover version of Otis Redding's "Can't Turn Me Loose" in this film shows you why. 2) An Ann Margaret nude scene, in the middle of her prime MEEEEEOOOWWWWW! 3) Probably William Smith's best movie performance in a career that has spanned over 60 years. 4) The soundtrack is one of the best unsung biker movie soundtracks. Lots of funky fuzz guitar, as well as Wayne Cochran and the title track by Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels. Joe Namath's performance is one of the worst in film history for a big studio, mainstream release. Its spectacularly awful. In an entertaining and charming way, it truly sucks.Watch it for ironic content, not for a truly great film, and you will enjoy it. Its so bad that its a masterpiece.