''Race for the Yankee Zephyr'' (also known as ''Treasure of the Yankee Zephyr'') is a 1981

action adventure film Action film is a film genre in which the protagonist is thrust into a series of events that typically involve violence and physical feats. The genre tends to feature a mostly resourceful hero struggling against incredible odds, which include lif ...

directed by David Hemmings and starring

Ken Wahl Ken Wahl (born October 31, 1957) is a retired American film and television actor, popular in the 1980s and 1990s, best known for the CBS television crime drama '' Wiseguy''. Early life and career Wahl, who was born in Chicago, Illinois, Note: ...

Lesley Ann Warren Lesley Ann Warren (born August 16, 1946) is an American actress and singer. She made her Broadway debut in 1963, aged 17, in '' 110 in the Shade''. In 1965 she received wide recognition for playing the title role in the television musical prod ...

George Peppard George Peppard (; October 1, 1928 – May 8, 1994) was an American actor. He is best remembered for his role as struggling writer Paul Varjak in the 1961 film '' Breakfast at Tiffany's'', and for playing commando leader Col. John "Hannibal ...

and

Donald Pleasence Donald Henry Pleasence (; 5 October 1919 – 2 February 1995) was an English actor. He began his career on stage in the West End before transitioning into a screen career, where he played numerous supporting and character roles including RAF ...

Plot

Gibbie Gibson (

) has discovered a World War II-era plane wreck in the mountains of New Zealand. When his discovery gets around town, Gibson, his daughter Sally (

), and his lodger Barney Whitaker (

) find trouble from a group of treasure hunters led by a Mister Theo Brown (

), who are intent on finding the cache of money they believe is on the wreck.

Cast

Barney Whitaker (

) — A hunter who owns a helicopter and lives with Gibbie Gibson. He is the nemesis of Theo Brown who kidnaps Gibbie and Barney eventually falls in love with Gibbie's daughter Sally Carson. Sally Carson (

) — A receptionist who is the daughter of Gibbie Carson. She is caught up between the war between Gibbie's lodger Barney Whitaker and his rival Theo Brown, but eventually falls in love with Barney. Theo Brown (

) — A gangster who is the arch rival of Barney Whitaker. He kidnaps Barney's lodge host Gibbie Gibson, bent on finding the wreck. Gilbert Carson/Gibbie Gibson (

) — A hunter and the lodge host of Barney Whitaker, he finds the plane wreck in the mountains and is the father of Sally Carson and Gibbie is eventually taken prisoner by Theo and his henchmen. Baker ( Bruno Lawrence) — A civilian and friend of Barney and Gibbie's. Collector (

Grant Tilly Grant Leonard Ridgway Tilly (12 December 1937 – 10 April 2012) was a New Zealand stage, movie and television actor, set designer, teacher and artist. Life and career Grant Tilly was educated in Wellington, taking art at Wellington Tech ...

) — A civilian and owner of a local pawn shop. Harry (Harry Rutherford-Jones) — A civilian and Sally's fiancé. It is not known what becomes of Harry when Sally falls in love with Barney Whitaker. The Bartender (Robert Bruce) — A civilian and owner of a local bar.

Additional cast

* Tony Sparks * Clark Walkington * Frank Taurua * Steve Nicolle * Dick Jones * Dennis Hunt

Production

The film was an original story by writer

Everett De Roche Everett De Roche (July 12, 1946 - April 2, 2014) was an American-Australian screenwriter who worked extensively in the Australian film and TV industry. He was best known for his work in the thriller and horror genre, with such credits as ''Long ...

, who said he got the idea from a neighbour of his in

Mount Isa Mount Isa ( ) is a city in the Gulf Country region of Queensland, Australia. It came into existence because of the vast mineral deposits found in the area. Mount Isa Mines (MIM) is one of the most productive single mines in world history, base ...

. It was based on a true incident about the war-time disappearance of an American DC3 military aircraft carrying the payroll for the Pacific fleet which was later discovered off Cape York. Richard Franklin was originally attached as director, and Antony I. Ginnane produced. The script was originally set in

Queensland, Australia ) , nickname = Sunshine State , image_map = Queensland in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of Queensland in Australia , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , established_ ...

, but the producers wanted to import four overseas actors, and

Actors Equity The Actors' Equity Association (AEA), commonly referred to as Actors' Equity or simply Equity, is an American labor union representing those who work in live theatrical performance. Performers appearing in live stage productions without a boo ...

objected. De Roche re-wrote the film so it was set in New Zealand. Richard Franklin dropped out of the film because he was unhappy with the change in location, and David Hemmings, who was attached to the film as a producer, was appointed director. Funding was obtained privately. The film was one of the leaders of Soviet film distribution in 1983, when it was seen by 29 million Soviet viewers.

Reception

Ginnane was so annoyed with Australia's Actors Equity that he made his next four films in New Zealand.

References

External links

* {{IMDb title, 0082968
''Race for the Yankee Zephyr''
at Oz Movies

1981 films 1980s action drama films 1980s adventure films 1980s English-language films Films directed by David Hemmings New Zealand drama films Films shot in New Zealand Treasure hunt films Underwater action films Films scored by Brian May (composer) Australian drama films 1981 drama films