Burton as Garbageman #1 Morgan Roberts as Garbageman #2 Michael D. Roberts as Poker Player Ralph "Papa" Thorson as The Bartender Poppy Lagos as Mrs. Bernardo Al Ruscio as Mr. Bernardo (uncredited) David Spielberg as Sergeant Werblo (uncredited) Jophery Brown as Train Passenger (uncredited) Production Development The film was developed by Rastar and set up at Paramount. Richard Levinson and William Link wrote the initial script based on Christopher Keane's biography of the real Ralph "Papa" Thorson. Steve McQueen became attached to star, and Mort Engelberg was to produce. Peter Hyams was hired to write and direct, but was fired after doing a draft. McQueen wanted to replace him as director, but the DGA would not allow it because McQueen had been on the project before Hyams. McQueen made the film following Tom Horn. Around this time he was also signed for Tai Pan at the highest fee any actor had received. Shooting Filming began in September 1979. McQueen reportedly did a lot of directing on set. The opening street scene was shot in Joliet, Illinois. The capture of Tommy Price (LeVar Burton) in Herscher and payphone scenes with Papa Thorson (Steve McQueen) talking to Sheriff Strong (Ben Johnson) were filmed in Bonfield. The classic riverhouse explosion early in the picture was filmed on the Kankakee River near Aroma Park. The structure was built for the film and then destroyed. The cabin was taken apart (not destroyed) and reassembled and sold for a hunting retreat on an island in the Kankakee river basin. The airport scene where Papa picks up the Trans Am was filmed at the Greater Kankakee Airport. Historic downtown Lemont was used for the scene where Steve McQueen performs a burnout in front of the police officer. Also, the current public works building across from the post office was used as the police station and jail. The cornfield chase scenes between the Firebird and combine were filmed in Manteno on a farm that shared property with the Lithuanian World Center and is now the site of a current residential development. A portion of the film was shot in Old Town, Chicago, on the El. Scenes involving Papa chasing his quarry "Bernardo" in a parking garage were shot at Marina City. The stunt with the fleeing suspect driving off the Marina City garage and plunging into the Chicago River was recreated in 2006 for a commercial for Allstate