"Moonrunners" is a story primarily based on the life of two brothers, Jerry and Johnny Rushing.

    Writer/director Gy Waldron makes his feature film debut with the 1975 action comedy "Moonrunners". Cousins Grady (James Mitchum) and Bobby Lee (Kiel Martin) run moonshine for their wise old Uncle Jessie (Arthur Hunnicutt). Lately, though, his fine quality liquor hasn't been moving that much. That's because boorish businessman Jake Rainey (George Ellis) has been trying to take over all the moonshine running in the area. He'll stop at nothing to shut down Uncle Jessie's little operation, including paying off the local law enforcement officers and recruiting speed driver Zeebo (Pete Munro). When Jake tries to buy out Uncle Jessie's stock, Grady and Bobby Lee plan a little operation of their own. Meanwhile, Grady carries on an affair with Jake's wife Reba (Joan Blackman) and Bobby Lee falls in love with blonde runaway Beth (Chris Forbes). Outlaw country singer Waylon Jennings narrates and composes the musical score. If this whole premise sounds familiar, it's because director Waldron was also the creator of the TV series "The Dukes of Hazzard".  Based on this film, the show debuted four years later on CBS. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide

Johnny and Jerry Rushing	"Moonrunners"	Bobby Lee and Grady from "Moonrunners"

    Rushing and his brother once ran monnshine liquor, drove a stock car, had a pretty cousin in short shorts and even shot bows and arrows instead of guns-just like Bobby Lee and Grady from "Moonrunners" and Bo and Luke from "The Dukes of Hazzard" tv series.  The show is based on the lives of Jerry Rushing and his brother, Johnny, there Uncle Worley Rushing and a lady cousin.  Rushing said, "We were on probation so we had to shoot bows and arrows instead of guns."  Both Jesse Hagg and Jesse Duke are based off of Rushing's Uncle Worley.  Worley was an oldie-goldie.  Besides making moonshine he was a bit of a philosopher, like both uncles were in "Moonrunners" and "The Dukes of Hazzard."  Worley also had a beautiful daughter that the role of "Daisy Duke" was cast.  Jim Hogan a former mechanic and Jerry's best friend was based from the role of "Cooter". 
    Jerry Rushing dictated information to agent Gy Waldron about his life as a bootlegger in the 1960s.  The tapes were written into a movie called "Moonrunners," in which Jerry appeared briefly in.  Rushing also received screen credit for the story.   When "The Dukes of Hazzard" co-developed by Waldron first aired, Rushing received neither credit nor money.  He sued, and the producers settled out of court.

"Moonrunners" filming locations please visit: www.dukesofhazzard01.com/moonrunnerssites.htm