Man VS Truck- Is Dennis Weaver Out of Luck? “Duel” Tonight!

Get set for nail-biting road rage tonight-as a long-suffering salesman  finds himself the target of a terrifying tanker truck that stalks him- and seems intent on making him  a highway fatality in Steven Spielberg's legendary early full-length directing effort-  "Duel"!

We meet David Mann (Dennis Weaver), a harried husband who's having a spat with his wife, en route to an important business meeting. As he drives along through the desert on a lonely two-lane highway- he finds himself behind a fume-belching tanker truck, and begins a cat and mouse game of passing the vehicle, only to have it pass him again! He makes a brief stop at a gas station (as does the truck) , where a smarmy attendant tries to get him to replace a radiator hose, and where a phone call to his wife only adds to his aggravation. He pulls out of the station as the trucker impatiently blasts his horn.

Back on the road, the truck catches up to- and passes- David's Plymouth Valiant- then slows and blocks him from passing . After a few attempts, it seems the unseen driver  is motioning for David to pass him-but it's a trick! The deadly game of the two vehicles managing to pass each other escalates into a high speed chase, with the truck tailgating David and hitting his bumper. David eventually sees a diner coming up, and swerves off the road, making his car a little more worse for wear- but hopefully escaping the mystery motorist out to get him!

In the diner, a glance out the window reveals the truck parked outside- and David is getting paranoid that his truck-driving adversary is right in the diner with him! After an uncomfortable encounter, but no definite i.d., he gets back on the road- only to find the tanker waiting for him- and the chase is on, with David in need of more than simple defensive driving  to escape  the monstrous eight-wheeler  ready to deal mechanized death!

This 1971 film, originally made for TV, but expanded for theatrical showings, is  remembered for the fast-moving tension it creates- and the cold relentlessness of the unseen truck-driver. Dennis Weaver rides the emotional roller-coaster of a victim of treacherous road rage that will connect with  the viewer- and will definitely get your adrenaline rushing! We'll tell you about the production and cast, give you a look at a classic take-off on another Weaver role,  sing you a Sven song, and- present  a commercial parody that some of you have been waiting for-for a long time!

"Duel" hits the road- and your TV screen- tonight at 10 pm eastern/pacific, 9 central, or check your local listings (or www.metv.com) for the channel and time in your viewing area. Our Chicago audience  gets a second look at the classic monster mash-up "Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein" at 11am on our sister station, WCIU, the U!

Speaking of Chicago, our home base, we send our congratulations to the Chicago Cubs and their fans- for finally finding that "next year"- is THIS year!

Buckle up and join us tonight for a road trip that'll put plenty of mileage on your nervous system!