When Burt Reynolds came to Saline County One of the most memorable events in Central Arkansas during the early 1970s was the filming of the movie White Lightning, starring Burt Reynolds and Ned Beatty. The film, released in 1973, showcased Reynolds at the height of his fame, following his role in Deliverance and his iconic centerfold appearance in Cosmopolitan magazine. The story follows Gator McKlusky, a former moonshiner played by Reynolds, who teams up with the authorities to take down corrupt Sheriff J.C. Connors, portrayed by Beatty. McKlusky’s motivation, however, is rooted in personal vengeance after his brother’s death at the hands of the sheriff. The film’s connection to Arkansas extends beyond its filming locations, which included areas in Benton. Jennifer Billingsley, a graduate of Fort Smith High School, portrayed Lou, the girlfriend of McKlusky’s best friend in the movie. Additionally, Reynolds’s stunt double and longtime collaborator, Hal Needham, who worked on the film, was raised in rural Union, White, and Phillips counties. These local ties highlight the film’s deeper roots in the region. The Saline Courier’s exhibit on The Saline Courier features articles about the making of White Lightning, alongside a 1978 issue of the paper covering the deadly Flood of 1978. The display also includes political cartoons by Ron Meyer and an award for “Beat Reporting” won by the legendary journalist Lynda Hollenbeck. These elements underscore the newspaper’s reputation as one of Arkansas’s most respected publications. The film itself remains a notable piece of local history, with scenes shot at the old pool hall building on West Sevier Street, now located across from the Saline County Courthouse.#burt_reynolds #ned_beatty #jennifer_billingsley #hal_needham #saline_courier
