Smokey and the Bandit was the first picture [Hal Needham ] directed, and I knew he could handle it. I had just directed Gator, and he saw my style and used that as a pattern.
![Smokey and the Bandit was the first picture [Hal Needham ] directed, and I knew he could handle it. I had just directed Gator, and he saw my style and used that as a pattern.](http://cdn.quoteddaily.com/images/burt-reynolds/smokey-and-the-bandit-was-the-first-picture-hal-needham--directed-and-i-knew-he-could-handle-it-i.jpg)