By the time this issue hits the stands, it will be nearly a month since we lost a true legend in American cinema and in the hearts of the fans of movies like Smokey and the Bandit, Cannonball Run, The Longest Yard and more. As I write this, it’s only been two days since Burt Reynolds passed away, and while I’m saddened by his death, I am also reflecting on my favorite roles he played in my favorite movies. Of course, I am referring specifically to Smokey and the Bandit, Parts 1 and 2. In my opinion, there were two groups of die-hard fans of those movies: one group saw the Trans Am as the star of the show, and the other group, which I ascribe to, would contend that the Kenworth was the star (and the GMC General, in Part 2). But no matter which side of the debate you’d fall on, I think we can all agree that the movies wouldn’t have been the same without our beloved Bandit, played by Burt Reynolds. Let’s face it, Hollywood has never had a character hero who quite parallels ol’ Burt. They may try to capture our hearts and minds with another charismatic all-American badass, but no matter how hard they try, or who they could come up with, the fact of the matter is, they still just ain’t Burt!
JUST AIN’T BURT
By Trevor Hardwick
Who among you think,
That you could fill those boots?
Everybody knows,
There are no substitutes.
Before you make a claim,
Let me reassert…
You might think you’re somethin,
But you just ain’t Burt.
You can buy a muscle car,
And drive it fast.
Or wear a fancy jacket,
And a big mustache.
You can jump a broken bridge,
And remain unhurt…
But the fact will still remain,
That you just ain’t Burt.
You can have a Kenworth,
Full of bootlegged beer.
And outrun all the Smokeys,
Like you’ve got no fear.
You can wear a cowboy hat,
And pearl-snap shirts…
But you ain’t foolin no one,
And you just ain’t Burt.
Go ahead and try it,
If you think you can.
All you need is money,
And a black Trans Am.
You could have a C.B.
And the skills to flirt…
But everybody knows,
That you just ain’t Burt.
The world lost a legend,
And a real good man.
A “show-off” and a hero,
To his die-hard fans.
You could find a Bandit,
Who’s an extrovert…
But you could not replace him,
Cause you just ain’t Burt!