Checkered Flag or Crash Checkered Flag or Crash Checkered Flag or Crash is a 1977 American adventure comedy film about off-road racing through the Philippines jungle, starring Joe Don Baker and Susan Sarandon and featuring Larry Hagman, Alan Vint and Parnelli Jones. It was written by Michael Allin and directed by Alan Gibson. Hard-charging race car driver "Walkaway" Madden (Baker), nicknamed that because of his history of walking away from car crashes, just wants to win the big Manilla 1000 off-road race. Photojournalist C.C. Wainwright (Sarandon) intends to ride with him in that race. But Walkaway just wants to get rid of her. Fast-talking
Glenn Close standards of film. John Landgraf, CEO of FX, stated that network was the "first to bring a female movie star of Glenn Close’s stature to television." He also credits her collaboration with the network with promoting roles for women on television, as well as influencing other film actors to switch to the small screen. Close was later approached by FX executives who pitched a television series for her to star in, that would only be filmed in New York City. In 2007, Close played the ruthless and brilliant lawyer Patty Hewes on "Damages" for five seasons. Her portrayal of this