Smokey and the Bandit original film. The updated version of the film features sounds inaccurate for what would be produced by the Trans Am or the numerous other Pontiac vehicles in the film. The original film had correct sounds that were usually recorded live as the action took place. A series of four made-for-TV spin-off films ("Bandit Goes Country", "Bandit Bandit", "Beauty and the Bandit" and "Bandit's Silver Angel") were produced in 1994 for Universal Television's Action Pack with actor Brian Bloom playing a younger version of Bandit. The three original films introduced two generations of the Pontiac Trans Am, and the Dodge Stealth
Burt Reynolds car chase film, "W.W. and the Dixie Dancekings" (1975), and a tough cop drama with Aldrich, "Hustle" (1975). He did a cameo for Mel Brooks in "Silent Movie" (1976). Reynolds made his directorial debut in 1976 with "Gator", the sequel to "White Lightning", written by Norton. "I waited 20 years to do it [directing] and I enjoyed it more than anything I've ever done in this business," he said after filming. "And I happen to think it's what I do best." He was reunited with Bogdanovich for the screwball comedy "Nickelodeon" (1976), which was a commercial disappointment. Aldrich later commented,