Skip to main content
Drama Cult Classic

A fallen rock star faces one last high-stakes hustle on the streets of Venice.

CISCO PIKE

Gene Hackman and Kris Kristofferson and Karen Black and Viva and a footrace...a crooked cop...a lot of money and so little time.

1972 · 1h 35m · R · Drama · IMDB TMDB

Cisco is an ex-rock star, famous in the 1960s, whose life and career has been a mess because of drugs. Now with a pregnant girlfriend he has a chance to start a new life. A corrupt cop, Leo Holland, blackmails Cisco to sell marijuana for him. Cisco has one weekend to sell it to his friends.

5,471 FilmsIn The Vault
Vault UpdatedDaily
Curated ByHumans
No AlgorithmBullsh*t
Quick Answer
What is Cisco Pike about?

Cisco Pike is a 1972 American drama film directed by Bill L. Norton about an ex-rock star pressured by a corrupt cop to sell marijuana over one tumultuous weekend.

Synopsis

Cisco Pike is out of jail for dealing drugs, living with girlfriend Sue in Venice, going straight, writing songs and singing. Trouble is, he's got another court date, so he's vulnerable to pressure from a crooked cop, LAPD Sergeant Leo Holland, who gives Cisco less than three days to sell bricks of marijuana and deliver $10,000. Cisco tries, but it's complicated by Sue's disappointment that he's dealing again, the unannounced arrival of Jesse (Cisco's old singing partner) strung out on heroine and a recent divorce, and a drug sale that almost ends in a bust. Can Cisco avoid a new arrest, make the sales, get the money to Leo, and maintain his self respect?
Details & Specs
Director
Bill L. Norton
Writer
Bill L. Norton
Release
1972
Runtime
1h 35m
Country
United States of America
Language
English
Genres
Drama
Also Known As
浪子回头金不换

Why Cult

Fallen Rock Star Drama

Kris Kristofferson plays Cisco, a once-famous '60s musician now struggling to stay straight after drug-fueled ruin.

Gene Hackman as Crooked Cop

Gene Hackman turns up the heat as Sergeant Leo Holland, the corrupt LAPD cop who blackmails Cisco into one last illegal job.

Los Angeles Counterculture

Set in Venice and the fringes of L.A., the film captures the faded glimmer of the '60s scene, now haunted by addiction and lost opportunities.

Cult Cast Cameos

Spot a who’s-who of cult cinema: Karen Black, Harry Dean Stanton, Viva, Antonio Fargas, and more bring the underworld to life.

Questions from the Vault

What is Cisco Pike about? +

Cisco Pike follows an ex-rock star living in Venice who, pressured by a corrupt LAPD sergeant, is forced to sell marijuana over a weekend in order to avoid another arrest.

When was Cisco Pike released? +

Cisco Pike was released in 1972.

Who directed Cisco Pike? +

Cisco Pike was directed by Bill L. Norton.

How long is Cisco Pike? +

Cisco Pike has a runtime of 95 minutes.

What genre is Cisco Pike? +

Cisco Pike is a drama film.