Mr-Fusion Take some great Tom Mankiewicz dialogue, the gritty style of Peter Yates, add a top-to-bottom great cast and you've got a recipe for success; the kind of high entertainment that's both hilarious and occasionally disarming. That's "Mother, Jugs and Speed", a movie that just screams the '70s, from its time spent pounding the L.A. nighttime streets to the great list of songs on the soundtrack. Sex-addict Larry Hagman is a highlight of the eclectic cast, but really, every person involved is an inspired choice.And on the matter of Bill Cosby, I fully admit that my exposure to the man these past 34 years has been woefully lacking. But you can't go wrong with this movie when it comes to the man's comedic timing and acting ability. Hell of a jumping-off point. I love this movie.8/10

Scott LeBrun "Mother, Jugs & Speed" is one of the more interesting films of the 1970s that this viewer has seen, and it deserves to be seen by a larger audience. It's mostly a dark comedy (with some moments that are very, very serious) about private ambulance services engaging in cutthroat competition, and the quirky characters that work for the financially strapped F & B Ambulance Company, run by cranky crook Harry Fishbine (Allen Garfield). Bill Cosby plays ace driver "Mother" Tucker, Harvey Keitel is Tony / "Speed", an ex-cop and new employee who'd been accused of selling drugs, and Raquel Welch is the spirited Jennifer a.k.a. "Jugs" who's determined to prove herself capable of being more than a secretary. This is a lot of fun for a while, with some choice lines of dialogue and energetic performances. The Cos walks away with all of his scenes, but he does receive some hilarious competition in the form of Larry Hagman as sleazy, horny employee Murdoch. The guy can't help himself but get together with an attractive patient in the back of an ambulance! Also appearing are people as diverse as L.Q. Jones, Bruce Davison, Dick Butkus, Severn Darden, Bill Henderson, Toni Basil, and an uncredited Tim Reid. Ultimately the movie can't quite maintain the same momentum all the way through, and those sobering dramatic moments may throw some people for a bit of a loop. Still, the premise makes for some great humour, with one example being the instance in which two of the attendants have a hard time transporting a heavyset woman. "Mother" also figures in a priceless running gag where he threatens to mow down nuns who are crossing a street. It's fun to see the lengths to which these companies will go for the sake of reaching patients first and therefore getting the contract for their services. The movie does do a nice job of capturing the nature of the people in the profession and the nature of their business, and is never less than entertaining. It's easy to want to follow the adventures of our main characters, superbly played by The Cos, as the seasoned veteran and wise guy, the ever lovely Welch as the impassioned woman whose efforts to break through barriers is all too believable, and whose education in the harsh reality of life is poignant, and the nicely low key Keitel as the newcomer learning the ropes. They make viewing "Mother, Jugs & Speed" quite the experience; this film definitely comes recommended. Seven out of 10.

curtis martin I just watched "Mother, Jugs & Speed" for the first time since seeing it on TV almost 30 years ago. The screenplay is very episodic, with no plot to speak of, but the vignettes as written do have the ring of truth to them. The original screenwriter was either an ex-EMT driver or did some heavy research. The direction by Peter "Bullit" Yates, however, is leaden and dull. I guess the producers picked him to direct because of the many high speed chases. But his handling of the potentially comedic dialog is slowly paced and strictly TV-Sitcom. The only person that could have even possibly made this work was Robert Altman--MJ&S just begs for the fast pace, quick overlapping dialog and throwaway improvs that Altman was known for in the early Seventies. And while I'm complaining--why in god's name does Raquel Welch go bra-less only during the credits sequence?

vcorchia It seems some of the criticism of this movie stems from the fact that it mixes comedy and drama. Well the fact is, Yates handles both types of scenes adeptly.On the comedy note, there are many great lines, Larry Hagman is over the top funny, and the scene where they try to get an overweight woman down a narrow stairway in a housing project is one of the single most hilarious scenes ever filmed.Raquel Welch does a good job, and obviously fits the bill for her character's anatomical requirements. Harvey Keitel is solid as always and Bill Cosby is outstanding as the "Mother" of this motley bunch, handling his scenes as the comic rebel and the seriously dramatic ones with equal aplomb.