DVD Movie Rating for: Up In Smoke

5 out of 5 an all time classic movie

Movie Plot of: Up In Smoke

Cheech and Chong meet up by chance on the highway somewhere in California. They go in search of some dope and are accidentally deported to Mexico where in their desperation to get home they agree to drive a van back to the States so they can get back in time for a gig they are due to play. Unaware of the properties from which the van is constructed they make their way back having aquired a couple of female hitch-hikers whilst all the time avoiding the cops whom they are not even aware are following them.

DVD Production Details of: Up In Smoke

Starring: Tommy Chong, Cheech Marin

Director: Lou Adler, Tommy Chong

Format: Color, Closed-captioned, Widescreen, Dolby

Studio: Paramount Home Video

DVD Release Date: November 21, 2000
DVD Features:
Theatrical trailer(s)

Widescreen anamorphic format

Up In Smoke Laserdisc information 

Cheech and Chong Up In Smoke Laserdisc: Widescreen Edition, Pioneer, Digital Sound, extended play, CLV 87 mins

Cast of the movie: Up In Smoke

• Cheech Marin .... Pedro De Pacas
• Tommy Chong .... Anthony 'Man' Stoner
• Strother Martin .... Arnold Stoner
• Edie Adams .... Mrs. Tempest Stoner
• Harold Fong .... Chauffeur
• Richard Novo .... Richard
• Jane Moder .... Jail Bait
• Pam Bille .... Jail Bait
• Arthur Roberts .... Arresting Officer
• Marian Beeler .... Judge Gladys Dykes
• Donald Hotton .... Bailiff
• John Ian Jacobs .... Prosecuting Attorney
• Christopher Joy .... Curtis
• Ray Vitte .... James (Bass Player)
• Michael Caldwell .... Duane (Guitar)

Photo Gallery of the movie: Up In Smoke

Click on one of the thumbnails to see the full size, high resolution photographs

Up In Smoke Laserdisc Covers

Reviews of the movie: Up In Smoke

Cheech & Chong's first cannabis comedy is also their best, a souvenir from the more carefree days before "Just Say No," when people did not feel so defensive about inhaling. In 1978, the prevailing spirit was more like "Just Say Blow." Even New Yorker film critic Pauline Kael liked it (the movie, that is), adding that it was "an exploitation slapstick comedy, rather than a family picture, such as Blazing Saddles or High Anxiety--which means that it's dirtier, wilder, and sillier." The story has to do with bumbling potheads Cheech & Chong searching for primo bud, while being tailed by a team of inept law-enforcement officers, led by Sgt. Stedenko (Stacy Keach). Sample dialogue: When a cop pulls them over to ask if they are any illegal substances in his vehicle, Cheech replies: "Not any more, man." Up in Smoke is an irresistibly silly and charming movie that--despite, or perhaps because of, the national furor over drug use--plays today like a relic from a bygone era, a sweeter, more open, more innocent period in our history

A paradox????????
The first thirty minutes of Up In Smoke may be the best film sequence in pot smoking history. However, its greatness provides us with a paradox nearly as mind-boggling as it is funny. Is it possible that Cheech and Chong can really be acting this well, or is this movie actually an improvised skit by two thoroughly baked comedians? But if they were high, how could they possibly maintain their composure long enough to be intelligible on camera? But if they weren't, how could they pull off these scenes with that authenticity? But if they were, how could they have the patience and stamina for the endless hours it takes to shoot even the most standard of scenes? But if they weren't, how could they have the spontaneity that so obviously permeates the performance? If you can figure out how these two pulled off thirty of the funniest minutes in movie history, then you are truly a better man than I.