American Graffiti (1973) Japanese poster with Paul Le Mat?s 1932 Ford deuce coupe
George Lucas Directs American Graffiti
American Graffiti was the brainchild of George Lucas, who was born in Modesto, California, on Could 14, 1944. A racing-car fanatic in high school, Lucas went on to drive competitively, later on providing up the sport subsequent a auto crash in which his lungs had been broken.
American Graffiti was largely autobiographical, recounting Lucas? carefree days as a teenage cruiser and gearhead in California?s San Joaquin Valley. George Lucas, Gloria Katz and Willard Huyck wrote the screenplay for Universal Pictures, with Lucas also directing. Set in 1962 prior to drugs, hippies and the huge military buildup in Vietnam, it was Lucas? intention to recapture the innocence of a bygone era by way of rock ?n? roll and the prevailing car tradition.
American Graffiti was filmed in the summer season of 1972 ? ten many years following George Lucas? graduation from Downey Large College in Modesto. Made for an economical 7,000, American Graffiti was shot in a scant 29 days in the northern California counties of Marin and Sonoma.
Ronny Howard and Richard Dreyfuss Head American Graffiti Cast
With the exception of Ronny Howard as Steve Bolander, George Lucas cast his upstart movie with a virtual group of unidentified actors. Amid the principals were Richard Dreyfuss (Curt Henderson), Paul Le Mat (John Milner), Charlie Martin Smith (Terry ?The Toad? Fields), Cindy Williams (Laurie Henderson), Candy Clark (Debbie Medway), Mackenzie Phillips (Carol Morrison), Harrison Ford (Bob Falfa), Bo Hopkins (Joe Younger), Suzanne Somers (Blonde in T-Bird), Kathy Quinlan (Peg) and Wolfman Jack (Himself).
Candy Clark and Charlie Martin Smith with?Ronny Howard?s?boss 1958 Chevrolet Impala
American Graffiti?s Research for Classic Automobiles
In order to recreate the era, George Lucas had to get the bank loan of some 300 pre-1962 vehicles. The manufacturing business put ads in neighborhood newspapers soliciting the use of vintage automobiles to be employed in the film. The response was overpowering, with over a thousand auto owners being interviewed.
American Graffiti features a handful of ?starring cars,? most of which play a key function in the film. Here?s what to appear for:
Paul Le Mat?s 1932 yellow Ford deuce coupe. This is Massive John Milner?s vaunted mode of transportation, bearing the license plates THX 138 ? in?tribute to?the 1971 George Lucas sci-fi movie THX 1138. The coupe homes a effective 327 cubic inch Chevy motor.
Harrison Ford?s 1955 midnight black Chevy. A trio of ?55 Chevys have been really employed in the movie. A single of the automobiles had originally appeared in the 1971 automotive film traditional Two-Lane Blacktop. American Graffiti employed 1 of the ?55 Chevys for street scenes, yet another for inside filming and a 3rd for the crash scene. The hot rod version driven by Harrison Ford housed a 454 cubic inch engine able of undertaking a quarter mile in eleven seconds.
Ronny Howard?s 1958 red and white Chevrolet Impala. Steve Bolander?s pride and joy in the film, this auto at first housed a 348 cubic inch motor with a 3-pace transmission.
Suzanne Somers? 1956 arctic white Ford Thunderbird. This traditional automobile is the vehicle of selection for the mysterious blonde cruiser who catches the eye of Richard Dreyfuss. The T-Bird?s fussy owner was in no way far away for the duration of filming, continually attending to his prized possession and instructing Somers what she could and could not do relating to the vehicle.
Bo Hopkins? 1951 Mercury. Hopkins, along with fellow Pharaohs members Manuel Padilla Jr. and Beau Gentry, cruise the streets in this darkish, forbidding monster. The ?51 Merc was afterwards bought by musician Brian Setzer.
Cindy Williams? 1958 Edsel. This family members vehicle is?driven by head cheerleader Laurie Henderson, class of ?63 and the girlfriend of Steve Bolander.
Charlie Martin Smith?s Vespa motor scooter. Terry ?The Toad? Fields? only mode of transportation is this uncool putt-putt, which he later discards after garnering the mortgage of Steve?s ?58 Impala. Smith actually lost manage of the Vespa as observed at the begin of the film.
Curt Henderson?s 1952 blue Citroen. Richard Dreyfuss cavorts in this goofy, compact auto ? hardly a magnet for very hot chicks.
Bobbie Tucker?s 1957 Volkswagen. Bobbie, Curt and his previous girlfriend Wendy cruise the streets in this beetle in which they encounter Curt?s dream girl in the Ford Thunderbird.
Harrison Ford and his 1955 Chevy
American Graffiti?s Best Vehicle Scenes
American Graffiti takes place for the duration of 1 unforgettable night time in 1962. The characters cruise the streets of an unnamed California town as legendary DJ Wolfman Jack hosts a Golden Week-Finish Radio Display. The car culture comes alive, as witnessed by these memorable scenes:
John Milner Meets Bob Falfa. The two eventual drag-racing opponents lastly converge while cruising the streets. Falfa insults Milner, inquiring if the ?32 Ford deuce coupe he is driving belongs to his mama. Milner counters, calling Falfa?s ?55 Chevy ?a field car.? The banter continues, with Falfa producing light of Milner?s paint work, terming it ?kind of a cross in between piss yellow and puke green.?
The 1960 Cadillac Is Creamed. John Milner and Carol Morrison consider revenge on a vehicle entire of girls, spraying their 1960 Caddy with shaving cream and deflating the tires.
Steve?s Auto Is Stolen. Steve entrusts his prized ?58 Impala to Terry. The auto is stolen, with Terry ultimately locating the vehicle which he then tries to scorching wire. The two thugs who pilfered the car confront Terry. ?Ah, hello ? this is my automobile,? Terry manages. ?What I imply is, someone stole ? I suggest I lost my auto and I want to thank you two guys?? A battle ensues, with the hapless Terry saved by John Milner.
The Police Auto Is Trashed. Threatened by the Pharaohs, a stealth Curt sneaks in and slips a chain underneath the chassis of a patrol vehicle. The cops are taunted by Curt and the passing Pharaohs and off they go in pursuit, with the chassis remaining in the parking great deal and the front stop skidding out into the street.
John and Carol Visit the Auto Grave Lawn. John Milner factors out some classic wrecks to Carol, such as Freddy Benson?s Corvette and a 1941 Ford, which utilised to be ?the quickest wheels in the valley.?
Drag Race on Paradise Street. John Milner?s ?32 deuce coupe and Bob Falfa?s ?55 Chevy meet in the huge showdown at dawn, with Terry flagging the race.
Aerial View of the White T-Bird. As Curt?s airplane heads east, spiriting him off to university, he seems down and glimpses the white Thunderbird traversing the countryside.
Harrison Ford?s 1955 Chevy vs. Paul Le Mat?s 1932 Ford deuce coupe on Paradise Street
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Source: http://www.scfirewire.com/2011/06/george-lucas-american-graffiti-1973-best-classic-car-movie-ever/
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