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For other meanings of the phrase Grand Theft Auto, see Grand Theft Auto.

Grand Theft Auto
Grand Theft Auto theatrical poster
Directed by	Ron Howard
Produced by	Roger Corman (executive producer) Jon Davison (producer) Rance Howard (producer)
Written by	Ron Howard Rance Howard
Starring	Ron Howard Nancy Morgan Elizabeth Rogers Rance Howard
Music by	Peter Ivers
Cinematography	Gary Graver
Editing by	Joe Dante
Distributed by	New World Pictures
Release date(s)	1977
Running time	84 min.
Country	United States
Language	English
All Movie Guide profile
IMDb profile

Grand Theft Auto is a 1977 film directed by Ron Howard. It was Howard's directorial debut. The film focuses on two young lovers, Sam Freeman and Paula Powers, who want to get married in Las Vegas. Paula steals her parents' Rolls-Royce, and a chase ensues in which many people try to stop them in order to claim a USD$25,000 reward.

Sam Freeman and Paula Powers are at the Powers' mansion, but conflict ensues as Paula gets angry with her parents for not respecting her relationship with Sam and her will to marry him in Las Vegas. Not long after, she steals her parents' prized Rolls-Royce, picks Sam up, and leaves for Vegas. Paula's parents soon afterward contact agencies other than the police to stop her. Soon the 10Q radio crew gets involved and announces a $25,000 reward offered by the Powers' for anyone who could stop the couple. No one is successful as the Rolls always happens to get away. The 10Q director, played by Don Steele as "Squirrely, Curly, Q brown" takes to a helicopter to pursue the Rolls from the air.

Throughout the journey, many failed attempts are made to stop them. First of all, three black Ford LTDs (dubbed "velvet net") make an attempt to box the car in, which fails as the three black cars explode. Additionally, a gas station attendant realizes who pulls into his station, and pursues them while using dynamite. Late in the film, they end up at a demolition derby just outside of Las Vegas, which leads to many vehicles, including the Rolls, to be destroyed. The couple escapes though, and gets married in a nearby church. Following the marriage, the 10Q radio DJ pursues them until being diverted by a passing fire engine and sent plowing into a house. The movie ends with them riding through the Vegas night.

• Grand Theft Auto at the Internet Movie Database