Actuakers One of my all time favorites.

Noutions Good movie, but best of all time? Hardly . . .

Sexyloutak Absolutely the worst movie.

Matho The biggest problem with this movie is it’s a little better than you think it might be, which somehow makes it worse. As in, it takes itself a bit too seriously, which makes most of the movie feel kind of dull.

calvinnme For those of you who are familiar with Rip Torn as irascible and authoritarian yet lovable characters such as Artie in "The Larry Sanders Show" and Zed in "Men in Black" be prepared for a shock. In this film there is nothing likable about Torn's character Maury Dann, a country singer currently on tour through the south. There is no wisdom behind his cynicism - he is all about using people. Specifically he is all about indulging in all the sex and substance abuse he can without regard to what it does to others. His life takes a turn to an even darker place when the boyfriend of one of his one-night stands catches up with him in a restaurant one day. This is one of those character study films that were very popular in the 1970's, and Torn does a great job playing a totally ruthless individual who has a totally different on-stage persona from his actual personality. He even does a fine job singing the country and western songs. Payday was directed by 1974 National Society of Film Critics Award winner Daryl Duke.It's a hidden gem worth seeking out.

Woodyanders Hateful, arrogant, and ill-tempered, but talented and charismatic middle-aged mid-level country music singer/songwriter Maury Dann (a bravura performance by Rip Torn in one of the finest roles of his career) gets worn down from being constantly on tour performing in seedy bars while also struggling to achieve a greater degree of success and selfishly using everyone around him. Director Daryl Duke and writer Don Carpenter do an expert and astute job of precisely etching a stark, cynical, and unsentimental depiction of the sordid and unglamorous underbelly of the 70's country music milieu: the wearying ordeal of living one's life on the road, sex with groupies, popping pills to keep on going, bribing club managers and disc jockeys, sudden outbursts of brutal violence, and sleeping in grimy motels. Moreover, Duke and Carpenter deserve extra praise for not offering any kind of sappy redemption or corny salvation for the sleazy main character; instead Dann speeds ever faster down a dark and dismal path of debauchery and self-destruction that leads to an inevitable grim conclusion. While Torn clearly dominates the film with his exceptional acting, he nonetheless receives sturdy support from Michael C. Gwynne as resourceful and long-suffering manager Clarence McGinty, Ahna Capri as Maury's bitchy fed-up main squeeze Mayleen Travis, Cliff Emmich as loyal body guard and chauffeur Chicago, and Elayne Heilveil as naive straight-laced groupie Rosamond McClintock. The downhome Alabama locations, the flavorsome country music soundtrack, and the colorful assortment of Southern locals featured throughout all greatly enhance the overall gritty authenticity. Highly recommended.

lgutherie I played the role of Sandy in "Payday". Sandy was the groupie who was seduced by Maury Dann and partied with him in his limousine while her boss/boyfriend, Mr. Bridgeway, searched for her. His discovery of where she had been led to his confrontation with Maury and his subsequent murder. I think one thing the other reviewers have missed about this film is the amazing direction by Darryl Duke. His direction of Rip Torn, who was at that time primarily a stage actor, was nothing short of brilliant. Yes, the movie was destined to be a classic. I've heard it was not marketed properly - I guess we'll never know why it didn't get the attention it deserved. I've heard it's Jay Leno's favorite film. A man of discernment!

andrew_perer I saw this on the big screen at AFI in Washinton D.C. and was blown away. From what I've ready about life on the road in the seventies, this movie recreates the itinerate life of outlaw musicians like Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, etc, perfectly; Rip Torn is a revelation for those who don't know his work from the 70's when he was thin and charismatic. I can't think of any film that quite captures the feeling of what it must have been like to be running around on amphetamines and barbiturates in the 70's (which had their peak usage then), from show to show, on a medium size tour circuit complete with one night stands, hanger-ons, fistfights, and various charlatans. The drugs are specific to this period as Qualudes, and various uppers and downers, were being produced legally (albeit with a prescription. This makes for a certain kind of life you could never lead now as the drugs just aren't available like they were then. (Johnny Cash gotten busted I believe in the 70's for smuggling a whole bunch of pills from Mexico). Farewell to a bygone era. If you couldn't be there, this may be your best education.