Watch Mother, Jugs & Speed

Mother, Jugs & Speed is a 1976 American black comedy film that centers around the lives of three emergency medical technicians working for the fictional F&B Ambulance Company in Los Angeles. The film stars Bill Cosby as "Mother" Tucker, Raquel Welch as "Jugs" McGuire, and Harvey Keitel as Tony Malatesta. The movie takes place during a time when ambulance services in Los Angeles were changing from a volunteer-based system to a for-profit business model. This is the backdrop for the antics and struggles of the primary characters, who are depicted as working-class individuals trying to make a living in a job that is both challenging and sometimes controversial.

"Mother" Tucker is the grizzled veteran of the ambulance team, who has been with F&B for over a decade. He is a respected figure among his colleagues, but he is also known for his rough edges and unpredictable behavior. The film portrays him as being a jokester, always looking for a laugh and not taking his job too seriously.

Raquel Welch's character, nicknamed "Jugs," is a new recruit to the F&B team. She is a beautiful woman who is quickly underestimated by her male colleagues. However, as the film progresses, viewers see that Jugs is actually highly capable and skilled at her job. She has a no-nonsense attitude and is often the voice of reason in the movie.

Harvey Keitel's character, Tony Malatesta, is the third member of the ambulance team. Unlike "Mother" and "Jugs," who both seem to view the ambulance business as just a paycheck, Tony is shown to be more serious about his job. He is depicted as being somewhat of a loner, with a troubled past that is hinted at but never fully explained.

The plot of the film revolves around a few major storylines. The first is the struggle that the F&B team faces in trying to keep up with the demand for their services. The ambulance company is constantly understaffed, and the team is forced to work long hours with few breaks. This leads to a number of humorous situations, as well as some tense moments that underscore the importance of the job that they are doing.

Another major plotline involves the relationship between "Mother" Tucker and Jugs. Although the two characters get off to a rocky start, they eventually develop a strong bond. This is partially due to their shared love of practical jokes, but it is also because they come to recognize each other's strengths and weaknesses as EMTs.

Finally, the film examines some of the more controversial aspects of the job that the F&B team does. This includes a scene in which they are called to the scene of a drug overdose and are shown administering Narcan to the victim. There is also a storyline in which they are accused of taking bribes from a funeral home director in exchange for transporting bodies.

Overall, Mother, Jugs & Speed is a fast-paced and entertaining film that showcases the talents of its three lead actors. It's a movie that takes a lighthearted approach to some deeply serious topics, but it never feels exploitative or insensitive. Fans of black comedy and raunchy humor will likely enjoy this film, as will those who are interested in the history of the ambulance services in Los Angeles.