On May 1, 1981, the drama film King of the Mountain was released in theaters. Directed by Noel Nosseck, the movie starred Harry Hamlin as a talented street racer navigating life and competition on the famous Mulholland Drive in Los Angeles.
The film also featured a strong supporting cast including Joseph Bottoms, Deborah Van Valkenburgh, Richard Cox, Seymour Cassel, and Dennis Hopper. Despite its unique setting and strong performances, King of the Mountain struggled at the box office, bringing in only 2.1 million dollars during its theatrical run.
Fun fact: Much of King of the Mountain was filmed on location around Mulholland Drive which was a real hub for underground street racing during the late 70s and early 80s.