Cisco Pike
| Cisco Pike | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Bill L. Norton |
| Produced by | Gerald Ayres |
| Written by | Bill L. Norton |
| Starring |
Kris Kristofferson Gene Hackman Karen Black Harry Dean Stanton Doug Sahm Viva |
| Distributed by | Columbia Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 95 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Cisco Pike is a 1972 drama written and directed by Bill L. Norton. It stars Kris Kristofferson as a musician fallen on hard luck who turns to dealing marijuana as a means of income. The film also stars Karen Black, Harry Dean Stanton, Antonio Fargas, Gene Hackman, Viva, and Texas musician Doug Sahm.
This film was not widely embraced by audiences on its initial release but has become a cult movie. Much of its cult status comes from fans of Kris Kristofferson and Doug Sahm, but it also carries a cult status to some because of its dated (and unintentionally funny) take on the subject of drugs, dealers, and the lifestyle they lead.
Plot
The film centers on Cisco Pike (played by Kris Kristofferson), an out-of-luck and out-of-work musician, and Sergeant Leo Holland (played by Gene Hackman). Cisco is a former drug dealer who has been busted several times by Sgt. Holland, and one night Holland comes to the door and demands that Cisco move a large amount of marijuana for him or suffer jail.
Cisco has several misadventures selling the marijuana, meets up with Doug Sahm at a recording studio, has his friend Jesse Dupree visit (played by Harry Dean Stanton, billed as H.D. Stanton for this film), meets a pregnant rich girl and her friend, and tries to make good with the Sergeant in the time allotted to him.
Production
The movie was filmed in and around Hollywood, including a concert scene at the Troubador Club in West Hollywood. Numerous scenes were also filmed in Venice, California.
Cast
- Kris Kristofferson as Cisco Pike
- Gene Hackman as Holland
- Karen Black as Sue
- Harry Dean Stanton as Jesse
- Viva as Merna
- Allan Arbus as Valensi
- Roscoe Lee Browne as Music Shop Owner
- Joy Bang as Lynn
Soundtrack
The soundtrack has most of Kristofferson's The Silver Tongued Devil and I album, and a song by Doug Sahm, along with the Sonny Terry/Brownie McGhee song "Hootin' and Hollerin'"
DVD Availability
The film is available on DVD (R1) from Sony Pictures.