Greased Lightning Reviews

Directed by the prolific but uneven African-American filmmaker Michael Schultz (CAR WASH, COOLEY HIGH, WHICH WAY IS UP?), this well-intentioned biography of the first black auto racing champion, Wendell Scott, features Richard Pryor in an early dramatic role. The story covers a 25-year period, from the end of WWII to 1971, in the life of the determined Scott as he strives to overcome the prejudice and closed-mindedness behind auto racing's color barrier. Along the way he is aided by a white driver, Hutch (Bridges), and supported his wife, Mary Jones (Grier). As he is played by one of the great comics of our time, it comes as no surprise that he relies on his sense of humor to help make it through the bad times. Civil rights leader Julian Bond, former Atlanta mayor Maynard Jackson, and folk singer Richie Havens all appear.