September 20 - September 25, 1976
A chronological look at the fourth week of principal photography for Smokey and the Bandit.
(Hero image: Jonesboro traffic jam, Old Hickory House, or Lakewood Fairgrounds.)
Introduction
Production returned to Jonesboro during the fourth week to film several key sequences before moving to the Old Hickory House in Forest Park and finally the Lakewood Fairgrounds in Atlanta. The week included the memorable crane sequence, the large traffic jam, the truck stop cafe scenes, and the beginning of filming at the fairgrounds for the movie's climactic return.
Week at a Glance
| Day | Date | Filming | D/N | INT/EXT | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | Mon, Sept. 20 | Crane Rips Roof (Production) | D | EXT | Main |
| 19 | Tue, Sept. 21 | (Research in Progress) | Main | ||
| 20 | Wed, Sept. 22 | Traffic Jam (Production) | D | EXT | Main |
| 21 | Thu, Sept. 23 | Truck Stop Cafe (Production) | D | INT | Main |
| 22 | Fri, Sept. 24 | Lakewood Fairgrounds (Production) | D | EXT | Main |
| 23 | Sat, Sept. 25 | Race Day – Return (Production) | D | EXT | Main |
Week 4 Map
(Interactive map coming soon.)
- 📍 Jonesboro, Georgia
- 📍 Old Hickory House – Forest Park
- 📍 Lakewood Fairgrounds – Atlanta
Highlights
- Crane stunt filmed in Jonesboro.
- Large traffic jam sequence completed.
- Truck stop cafe scenes filmed at the Old Hickory House.
- Production moved to Lakewood Fairgrounds.
- Filming began on the movie's climactic return sequence.
Production Documents
This week's timeline has been reconstructed using original production scripts, surviving call sheets, behind-the-scenes photographs, newspaper archives, and interviews with cast and crew members.
Explore Week 4
- Crane Rips Roof →
- Traffic Jam →
- Truck Stop Café →
- Lakewood Fairgrounds →
- Race Day – Return →
Navigation
← Week 3
Week 5 →
Related Sections
- Production Timeline Home
- Filming Locations
- Behind-the-Scenes Gallery (Coming Soon)
- Production Documents (Coming Soon)
