Burt Reynolds in Double Denim as Gator McKlusky

Burt Reynolds in Gator (1976) Vitals Burt Reynolds as Bobby “Gator” McKlusky, paroled moonshine runner Okefanokee Swamp, Summer 1975 Film: Gator Release Date: August 25, 1976 Director: Burt Reynolds Costume Designer: Norman Salling Background Burt Reynolds followed up his sweaty 1973 “hick flick” White Lightning with his self-directed sequel Gator, widely released 50 years ago today on August 25, 1976. The three-year gap had been kind to Reynolds, who had since grown his stardom… and that trademark mustache. (Unlike Sterling Archer, I prefer White Lightning over its lighter-hearted sequel.) Reynolds reprises his role as moonshiner Bobby “Gator” McKlusky, recently released after serving 26 months in a Georgia state prison where he proudly learned how to make “quality license plates”. As in White Lightning, Gator is called back into government service, this time to help nab his one-time pal “Bama” McCall (Jerry Reed), now a ruthless crime boss in the fictional Dunston County. Of course,…