TEXARKANA, Texas - It all began with a mural.
On the side of Smoke Point, a local restaurant, is a huge painting depicting the legendary cinematic characters "Smokey" Sheriff Buford T. Justice, played by Jackie Gleason, and "Bandit" Bo Darville, played by Burt Reynolds. On Friday, it attracted re-creators and fans eager to pay tribute to "Smokey and the Bandit," the classic 1977 action-comedy film featuring them.
Smoke Point, which features both a menu and decor invoking Southern Americana, even has menu items, such as the legendary Diablo Sandwich, ordered by Sheriff Justice in the movie. Texarkana, of course, is one of the famous locales mentioned in both the movie and its iconic theme song, "Eastbound and Down," written by Jerry Reed, who played trucker Cledus "Snowman" Snow in the film, and Dick Feller.
Word about the mural got around to Jay Hernandez, local Bandit enthusiast and owner of a classic Trans Am painted in the likeness of the Bandit's legendary car, complete with license plate BAN ONE. Hernandez, a huge fan of the film and a participant in three Bandit Runs, a classic car run celebrating the legacy of the film, posted a photo of the mural on the Bandit Run 2021 Facebook page.
"When he did that, it got noticed by Ellen Needham, wife of the late Hal Needham (the movie's director)," said Bryan Ogburn, owner of Smoke Point. "She shared it with Eastbound and Down, a pair of actors and re-creators of 'Smokey and the Bandit.'"
They do the cars, the costumes and spend much of the year doing shows and the like, keeping the legend alive. They happened to be out doing a series of shows and announced they were going to come see the big mural at Smoke Point and make an appearance for fans.
"I've been a fan of the original movie since its release in 1977," said Hernandez, who saw it in Germany, where his father, George D. Hernandez, was based in the service at the time. Hernandez, southern through and through, was drawn to the high-speed imagery and warm-hearted ribald comedy of the film.
"Muscle cars, the story line, I guess being away from the States, it felt like a piece of home," Hernandez said. "I've been part of southern culture all my life, and there it was, up on the screen."
On Friday, a reflection of the cinematic legend came roaring into the parking lot of Smoke Point, BAN ONE, driven by a familiar driver, chased by a brown classic 1970s police patrol car.
They pulled into parking spaces and greeted the gathered enthusiasts, posing for pictures and answering questions. The resemblance to the classic characters, Smokey and the Bandit, was uncanny.
"I did a show with Burt Reynolds back in 2006," said Tim Phillips of Atlanta, Georgia, portraying Bandit. "After that, I did more shows with Burt, car shows, movie premieres, until he passed in 2018. The last show I did with him was Bubbafest of that year. He loved the fans, loved meeting them. Frankly, he stayed longer with them than he should have at his age, but he loved his fans, especially the ladies."
Phillips met Sean Bailey of Branson, Missouri, who plays Sheriff Buford T. Justice in Eastbound and Down.
"I was doing a gig in Joplin, Missouri, and he (Bailey) let me borrow his Trans Am," Phillips said. "Eventually, the previous actor decided to step away from the role, and Sean was perfect to step in, to keep Jackie Gleason's memory alive. Burt's family told me to keep our show going, to keep Burt's memory alive. We do it for Burt and the fans, present and future."
"I've been doing Buford T. Justice five to seven years," Bailey said. "I've turned into Jackie Gleason in my later years, so I'm making it work, helping to keep the legacy alive. It is all about the legacy of Burt and Jackie, and the smiles they bring. We keep it alive, live and in person."
New generations continue to discover the movie. Even youngsters still are drawn to it, generations later.
"It is the car action, chemistry of the stars, something you can't duplicate in today's politically correct environment," Bailey said.
"Thanks to everyone who comes out to the shows and appearances," Phillips said. "Visit us online on Facebook at EastBoundandDownBanditTransAm."