Take This Job and Shove It (film)

Take This Job and Shove It

Company type	Film
Industry	Entertainment
Founded	1981
Headquarters	United States
Products	Comedy film

Take This Job and Shove It is a 1981 American comedy film directed by Gus Trikonis, featuring performances by Robert Hays, Barbara Hershey, Art Carney, and David L. Keith. The movie's title is derived from the well-known country tune "Take This Job and Shove It" written by David Allan Coe and famously sung by Johnny Paycheck, both of whom make brief appearances in the film.

Plot

The story centers on the Ellison Group, a corporate conglomerate that takes over four breweries struggling financially. Frank Macklin (played by Robert Hays), a young executive, is brought in to restructure one of these breweries, an important employer in the local community. Although initially met with doubt by veteran workers, Frank discloses the brewery’s precarious financial condition, motivating employees to increase production and sales. This successful revival draws the interest of a wealthy Texas oilman unfamiliar with brewery operations or corporate management.

Production

The majority of filming occurred in Dubuque, Iowa, mainly at the Dubuque Star Brewery, with additional scenes shot in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The brewery still stands at its original site and has been converted into a private bar and grill.

Bigfoot

Take This Job and Shove It holds the distinction of being the first movie to showcase monster trucks. Bob Chandler’s Bigfoot #1 is prominently featured as Ray’s pickup truck. The blue truck seen at the race start, which breaks down during the story, is Everett Jasmer’s USA-1, credited under the name "Thunderin' Lightning." Jasmer’s delivery vehicle acts as Bigfoot’s competitor, Silver Bullet. Both trucks are equipped with 48-inch tires, which were standard at that time before 66-inch tires became widespread. Bob Chandler appears on screen as the race official waving the flag, while his family members are shown enjoying picnic scenes.

Release

Distributed by Avco Embassy, the film debuted on May 15, 1981. It achieved sleeper hit status, earning $17.57 million at the box office along with $7.3 million in rentals across the United States and Canada.

See also

• List of American films of 1981