Smokey and the Bandit Part 3

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Smokey and the Bandit Part Three is the 1983 sequel to Smokey and the Bandit and Smokey and the Bandit II starring Jackie Gleason, Jerry Reed, Paul Williams, Pat McCormick, Mike Henry and Colleen Camp. The film also includes a very brief cameo by the original Bandit, Burt Reynolds.

[edit] Plot

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

As is the case with the two proceeding Smokey and the Bandit films, Smokey and the Bandit Part Three begins with Big (McCormick) and Little (Williams) Enos offering a sizable wager on one's ability to transport a shipment a large distance in a short period of time. Offering a slight twist, however, the offer is this time made to a retiring Sheriff Buford T. Justice (Gleason), betting $250,000 against his badge on his ability to transport a large stuffed fish from an eatery in Florida to Texas.

Unlike the two earlier films, Enos and Enos this time seem to be quite active in their desire to see Buford fail in his goal, going so far as to actually attempt to hire The Bandit to stop him. Deciding that The Bandit is too egotistical and hard to manage, they hire the Snowman (Reed) as his replacement. Accepting the offer, the Snowman climbs behind the wheel of a black and gold 1983 Pontiac Trans Am and a cross-state chase ensues.

Originally filmed as Smokey -IS- The Bandit, with Gleason playing both roles. Massive confusion on the part of test audiences led to reshoots with Jerry Reed.

[edit] The Fans

Many fans of the two proceeding movies were rather disappointed by the third installment of the series, citing a more juvenile, sexual humor and plot glitches (such as the oddity of requesting Sheriff Justice wager his police badge after crashing his retirement party) as the reason. Many also found it rather pointless and unengaging without the 'proper' Bandit present.