Book Vs. Movie: Convoy
The CW McCall Novelty Song Vs. the Sam Peckinpah (!) Film
In the mid-1970s, a unique country song about truckers, CB radios, and the open road captured the imagination of America. It was called “Convoy,” and it not only topped the charts but also inspired a Hollywood movie, solidifying its place in pop culture history. Initially a novelty tune, it evolved into a cultural phenomenon. The song was written and performed by C.W. McCall, the alter ego of ad man Bill Fries, in collaboration with musician Chip Davis, who later founded Mannheim Steamroller. “Convoy” rode the wave of the CB radio craze that swept through the U.S. during the 1970s.
The song’s immense success attracted Hollywood’s attention, and soon, the story of “Rubber Duck” made its way to the big screen. The movie, directed by Sam Peckinpah, known for his gritty and violent Westerns such as The Wild Bunch and Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid, added a dramatic twist to the whimsical narrative.
So, between the song and the film, which did the Margos prefer? Listen to find out!
In this ep, the Margos discuss:
- How the song was created as an advertisement
- The career of Sam Peckinpah
- The Movie Cast: Kris Kristofferson (Rubber Duck,) Ali McGraw (Melissa,) Ernest Borgnine (“Cottonmouth,”) Burt Young (Love Machine,) Madge Sinclair (Widow Woman,) Franklyn Ajaye (Spider Mike,) Seymour Cassell (Governor Haskins,) Cassie Yates (Violet,) Billy Hughes (“Pack Rat,”) Jorge Russek (Tiny Alvarez,) and Patrice Martinez as Maria.
Clips used:
- “Convoy Truckers Escape Speedtrap”
- “Old Home Bread Commercial 1973”
- CW McCall on Hee Haw in 1976
- Convoy (1978 trailer)
- “Rubber Duck meets Melissa”
- “Rubber Duck sneaks into NM.”
- “Bridge scene Convoy”.
- Music by CW McCall & Chip Davis
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