Scene from Fast Company (1979)

First Appearances:

• Fast Company (1979) as Hitchhiker

Most Important Roles:

• Fast Company (1979) as Hitchhiker

Career Highlights:

• Fast Company (1979)

"Among Canada's notable exports are maple syrup and hockey, but one standout that caught our attention is Cheri Hilsabeck. Known as Mr. Skin's favorite Canadian 'sexport', Cheri left an indelible mark with her sole film credit in David Cronenberg's 1979 flick, 'Fast Company'. This was an unusual departure for Cronenberg, who is renowned for his body horror and explicit themes, but embraced the racing genre trend sparked by 'Smokey and the Bandit' (1977). In 'Fast Company', Cheri portrayed a hitchhiker and groupie of the racing scene alongside fellow Canadian actress Sonya Ratke. Both ladies caught the eye of Nicholas Campbell's character, Billy 'The Kid' Brooker, leading to an on-screen threesome where Cheri and Sonya went topless. Despite her brief filmography, we're grateful for Cheri's memorable performance. The reasons behind her absence from subsequent movies or TV shows remain unclear."

First Appearances:

• Fast Company (1979) as Candy

Most Important Roles:

• Fast Company (1979) as Candy
• One Night Only (1986) as Elizabeth
• Deadline (1980) as Bee

Career Highlights:

• Fast Company (1979)
• One Night Only (1986)
• Deadline (1980)

Lonnie 'Lucky Man' Johnson, born in West Virginia, USA, was a renowned drag racer who drove a funny car and led his sponsor team Fast Company. He mentored younger racers like Billy 'The Kid' Crocker. However, when their corrupt manager Phil Adamson stole their funny car to benefit rival Gary 'The Blacksmith' Black, Lonnie and Billy took it back to race independently in the next competition.

First Appearances:

• Fast Company (1979) as Hitchhiker

Most Important Roles:

• Fast Company (1979) as Hitchhiker

Career Highlights:

• Fast Company (1979)

"Among actresses, Sonya Ratke stands out as an exception who launched her career with a dual debut: her first film appearance coincided with her first nude scene. Originating from Canada, this performer chose to retire after her sole cinematic venture, perhaps preferring to exit while at the peak of her appeal. Sonya's solitary acting role was featured in Canadian auteur David Cronenberg's auto racing comedy-drama 'Fast Company' (1979). Unlike Cronenberg's later exploration of automobile fetishism in 'Crash' (1996), this film offers a more conventional take on the genre, reminiscent of the era's popular racing movies like 'Smokey and the Bandit' (1977). Sonya portrays one of two hitchhikers—alongside Cheri Hilsabeck—who are picked up by the titular speedster Billy "The Kid" Brooker (Nicholas Campbell), eventually becoming his lovers in a scene featuring both women alongside him in bed. While Sonya's decision to leave acting is regrettable, she remains etched in our collective consciousness—not just as a hitchhiker, but also as an iconic image from this film."