I to this day , remember, and followed Wolman Jacks advice to Curt. I was 14 and got off my behind and developed a passion to see this " big beautiful world" as Wolfman put it. This film forever changed my life for the better. So thank you Mr. Lucas !!
American Graffiti wasn’t just a movie; it was a documentary of my high school years, as narrated by the wolf man, Wolfman Jack. Here's to the Wolfman, may he live in the memories of us all.... God has blessed me with a wonderful life: I am a retired electro-mechanical design engineer, AKA a “Rocket Scientist”, who has worked for several aerospace companies in Southern California. I was born in Cleveland Ohio, and grew up in Southern California, mostly in Orange County; Anaheim to be exact. My teen years were in the late fifties and early sixties, so I grew up with hot rods and muscle cars, at a time when they were made to be raced, and race them we did. Now, you wouldn’t think of driving one of those cars like we did then. We had the legends of automotive history and the enthusiasm of teenage boys trying to outdo each other, we raced them hard, and we had the time of our lives. My first love is muscle cars (of course), I have owned and driven many in my life, and I am now a collector. Since I am not a multi-millionaire, most of my collection consists of my experiences with these fantastic vehicles and the thrilling memories they left me with - that’s something a multi-millionaire can't buy. American Graffiti wasn’t just a movie; it was a documentary of my high school years, as narrated by the wolf man, Wolfman Jack. I am blessed with my memories of a grateful life as I have experienced it then, and now. I have lots of photos to share with my friends and family, some words of wisdom, and some words that are not so wise. But then, that’s what makes life so interesting. Here's to the Wolfman, may he live in the memories of us all....
I LOVED THIS MOVIE!!! I remember "Cruising" in Spokane WA on Riverside Ave in the late '60s in my Red '62 Impala SS "409" listening to CCR on KJRB. All windows down, tunes up....Great memories indeed!!
My hat goes off to George Lucan for bring back memories of my youth. The cars used, and the music were simply amazing. My favorite was the 58 Impala. So many future stars got their start in this Classic. This is actually the way we lived. We actually had a ball. Drag racing, drive in movies, cruising every night and we had a sense of total freedom.
I saw this movie in 73 when I was 15. I had a job and went right out and bought a 56 Chevy 210 2 door and started tinkering with it. I was hooked at that point....Over the years I have had MANY old cars and my latest is a 62 T-Bird with "Where were you in 62 airbrushed on the Continental kit and I fully restored it. Gonna do Route 66 with it, as a bucket list thing, if my health allows me to.
Revealing that Charles Martin Smith missed 3rd gear and crashing the Vespa, plus the nature of the Toad character itself makes that opening scene even more hilarious.
Greg Fair : My father came to the U.S. from Cuba in the early 50's. I came along in 1957 and sometime toward the end of the 70's,him and I had a conversation about this same subject. He told me people think the 60's were a good time to be in America,but the 50's were a much better time in the states. He also corrected me when I told him I was a Cuban-American. He said "No.You were born here.You're an American.I'm a Cuban-American" There was a clear distinction about that in his mind. To this day I'm glad he pointed that out.
I graduated in '62 from a high school a mile from the beach in Los Angeles. This was me. I didn't just see it, I lived it. The most favorite time of my life.
American Graffiti IS my favorite movie of all time. I was blessed to have been there to enjoy the end of an era in the early 70's. And those old cars were practically a dime a dozen then. What a time.
I wish those days when cars meant so much were back... We live in a cold time now, where everything takes place after a tiny screen and nothing really matters....
Shawn Beck you’re right mate. As Don McClean said, it was the day the music died when that plane went down with the “greats” on board. We lost too many in aircraft during the 50’s to 70’s. I’m just glad I’m old enough to have lived through the best decades of music. That was real music; not that crap they put out now. 🇦🇺👍
Brilliant film and I never get tired of watching it. The sequel was much darker and difficult to watch but the original was just about as good as a movie could be.
We would cruise in rural mountains of Georgia in 1985-1990. I had a 1970 Ford truck with a 1961 -390 cid 401hp 3 deuce engine and it would light the tires up. I got a “Gator McClusky” 1969 Ford LTD with a 429 Super Cobra Jet in it. White Lightning and American Graffiti are real movies!
Agreed, however the 58 Fords were a pretty sharp car as well to. They did show one in this movie, whare the broad was driving a VW and went along side a 58 Ford Fairlane with a guy she liked. I think he also was the one who said to Toad, what a waste of machinery.
I’ve had a number of classic cars I use to go cruising in the 70s with my 55 Chevy and my muscle car a 67 coronet R/T with a 440 on the very same streets where they made American Graffiti Petaluma California
I grew up in the 1960's and started dating my wife (highschool sweetheart) in 1970. We lived in a small town in SE Ohio and cruising was still big in this small town until the mid 70's when drugs got real bad. I only owned junk, but I borrowed my brother-in-law"s 1968 442 and his 1964 Stingray often. I took my future wife to the senior prom in the '64 Stingray, wow what a night to remember. We listened to the Four Season sing Sherry (my wofe's name) on the 8 track tpe player.
Even though I was 20 years removed from that era, where I was from, cruising was the thing to do. The movie was so iconic in many ways reflected my life as a teen and happy to say it did.
I was 14 when this movie came out and it set the tone for my teen years. What teens did in the mid '70's wasn't really all that different from the movie, just the clothes and cars were different (well, some of them). We also cruised the strip, hung out with friends, pulled minor capers like occasionally trying to get ahold of alcohol( with some success on two occasions - Little Kings and Cold Duck), etc. A couple of us had hotrods (my '69 L78 Camaro and a buddy's '69 Mach 1 428 CJ) and the others drove assorted hand-me-down grandpa cars (an early '60s Mercury Comet, two mid '60s Park Lanes, and a Maverick) or sometimes they'd have the family Impala or LTD for the evening or I'd have my sister's '66 Malibu. I had the AG soundtrack in LP (a double album set that I still have, somewhere), 8 track, and at least a couple of copies in cassette which I wore out by playing them so much. Because of AG, music from the late '50s and early '60s reminds me of my teen years as much if not more than music from the '70s. I still know every song on the AG soundtrack as well as Wolfman's dialog by heart. In the '80s I moved from the Midwest to Southern California, and every time I drove through the town of Little Rock the Wolfman call-in from Little Rock on the AG soundtrack would go through my head ("All we got is YOU!").
Nolo C , yes . It was a couple years after the Movie came out ,t happy days was brand new on t.v . They had a 50s Dance at school and somehow got a copy of this movie and showed it . My parents took my shoes and put white down the middle like white bucks , never did cleanup . They put the brill crème in my hair and I had to wash it 3 or 4 times after the Dance to get my hair clean . The Girls at the Dance had Poodle skirts their parents put together . We were young enough that the girls did not fill out the sweaters properly , but we had a good time . Cruiser night last Thursday at the Park across from the barber shop . After haircut I took photos 1966 ford Fairlane 289 , 1960 Catalina , 1964 Catalina wagon and a few others showed up before I left . yes they were fun days !
@@markcantemail8018 Brylcream is making a comeback now in days, so is Vitalis and Groom & Clean hair dressings for men. Your parents probably have had to put almost a whole tube of Brylcream in your hair to have to wash it out three or four times to get it out of your hair. Sell like for Brylcream was, A little dab will do ya.
I live in Minnesota and downtown St.Paul was going strong just like the movie. It was called the loop from the 50s to 1975. life couldn't get any better back then. The cars did the racing from one light to the next. Hot chics with halter tops and short shorts. We had other places to cruise but nothing could compare to downtown. We even had a Porkys drive in back then. I will always miss all them good times.
About the Thunderbird...I was driving down Diamond Bar Blvd. in Diamond Bar, CA recently when I spotted a light blue Ford Thunderbird and thought, that it looked a lot like the TBird in American Graffiti. Surprisingly, the driver pulled into the same parking lot as I did, and I went over and commented, "Geeze, this looks like the TBird in American Graffiti." He looked at me for a moment, looked at the car and replied, 'This IS the car from American Graffiti" Needless to say I was pleasantly surprised and had a lively conversation about the car and the movie. Turned out that he lived a couple of blocks away from where I live.
+Ken Allan Wow what a wild coincidence! Did you happen to ask the owner if he/she was the same owner at the time the film was shot? I'd love to know the complete history of the car ever since the movie came out. I'd also be curious as to what the car would bring at auction...Too much for me to afford no doubt! Thanks for sharing that great story.
The AG T-Bird was (and still is) white with red interior. After nearly 50 years with its previous owner Clay Daily, it's currently owned by Jerry Causbrook (who also wons the Richard Dreyfus Citroen fromt he movie) of Petaluma CA up in the Bay area where most of the movie was filmed. The T-Bird, the yellow Deuce, and a cast member or two make regular appearances at the annual Petaluma American Graffiti cruise-in. kipsamericangraffiti.blogspot.com/2011/06/cars-56-t-bird.html petalumaspectatorphotoblog.wordpress.com/2011/05/22/cars-chrome-1956-ford-thunderbird/ unofficialamericangraffiti.weebly.com/past-events.html www.americangraffiti.net/the-cars Etc.
Funny, the T Bird to in which your refering to look white to me in the movie. No matter, I believe your story is true and exciting to have spoke to the owner of that car that actress Susann Sommers drove around in that movie, tormenting Ole Curt there.
George Lucas: "American Graffiti is one of the most successful investments of all time. The return on the dollar spent is I think, greater than almost any other movie made." What else needs to be said?
Its amazing how times change kids dont what we did in 50's through the 70's its all video games and the fast and the furious shit!!! American graphetti days have gone to the history books gone forever!!!
Great movie, brings back lots of memories..48 Ford pickup flathead 8, twin duce carbs,polished dome hubcaps and the " ol Man- quiet that damn thing down and turn that " F'n" radio down too" he had such a way of words lol.. miss ya dad
THE BLACK MEAN 55 CHEVY IS THE BEST !!!!! I JUST LOVE THE CAR I WAS 12 YEARS OLD BACK IN 1979 WHEN I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME AND I FELLED IN LOVE WITH THE BLACK 55 CHEVY AND I SAID TO MY SELF SOMEDAY I WILL HAVE A BLACK 55 CHEVY AND NOW I HAVE ONE BLACK 2DR POST 1955 CHEVY YESSSS !!!!!HAHAHAHAH
dude, your caps lock is on. also, the '55 used in the movie was used earlier in the movie Two Lane Blacktop. James Taylor was the driver, Dennis Wilson was the mechanic. and Warren Oates was their opponent, driving a '70 GTO. great movie if you're a car guy, but I showed it to some non car guy friends and they thought it was boring. I believe the car was the one (of 3) that was set up to roll over in Two Lane Blacktop. but the car stuck to the ground too well and didn't flip over. so they added to the movie and made it work.
When I was stationed in Abilene Texas in 1970, the thing to do on Friday and Saturday nights was to go to Mack Eplen’s restaurant at North 1st and Shelton and cruse. great food and a lot of gas burned up. I had a 1970 Dodge Challenger at that time. This was our "American Graffiti" three years before the move. Just like in the movie I also went overseas in 1971 from Dyess AFB in Abilene Texas To Utapo Thailand with the 340th MMS / 307 Strategic Wing [Bomb Wing] B52's] I loaded Bombs on the B52 from 1971- 1972 this was one of the bases where they would fly into Viet Nam From. Utapo AFB. I love this movie because it shows the great times I had and the not so great times
At the very beginning of this clip you can see my “ Canary Yellow ‘55. That car had the high end trim. In the interior it had. Crome bow in the headliner. Had an awesome console out of a ‘64Nova. 3 speed.w/ “Hurst” shifter. It had a Blueflame. Straight 6 cylinder that was bored 30 over .
That's my car at 3:08 and 3:15. I answered an ad in the SF Chronicle looking for period cars...35.00/day. When I asked about driving, they said they were shooting all night long and no money for driving. Forget that, I said...just take the car....55 Studebaker Commander coupe.
In '74 I was living in a group home in Mt Vernon WA, a rural town much like Modesto and I must of paid to see American Graffiti 6 times. After watching the movie I ran into a classmate with a car and we tried cruising Mt Vernon and we even talked a girl into sneaking out and cruising with us. The movie struck a cord with me, I was the youngest but I had a foster Sister who graduated in '63 and a Brother in '66 so I I was witness to their lives during that period. The movie was a lot of fun although I don't think it was a realistic portrayal of most kids during that period, my strict Catholic Mother would of had a cow if Emily or Paul stayed out all night cruising, graduation or not.
Being married with a little girl when the movie came out, it took me straight back to my teens and high school. I have always loved racing and by the time I graduated from high school, I had gone through four cars and one pickup truck. It was a good thing that I worked through high school because I would have been walking if I hadn’t. My parents used to tell me and just about everyone else that I wouldn’t live to see 21, fooled them! lol American Graffiti is one of my all time favorite movies.
Anyone who lived in the PNW remember "Cruising Riverside" in Spokane WA. This movie was a duplicate of that time and we did it EXACTLY that way. We were even able to listen to the "Wolfman" when his station would come in late at night.
Best movie ever! I have watched this hundreds and hundreds of times wore out my VHS and the DVD is getting crappy. My car buddy's and I usually have it playing in one of our garages getting our rods ready for Back to the fifties in Minnesota
America during the 1950s and 1960s, when teenagers actually WANTED to get driver's licenses and drive cars. Nowadays, it's all about computers, internet, social media, and video games. Ugh. 😠
That Vespa scene is one of the funniest things I have ever seen on film. To know that it was unintentional makes it even funnier. I wonder if George Lucas ever used that "Cowboy" character guy in any other movies.... Seems like a natural.
This is my teen years but with a lot more incidents.... 56 Chevy- built 348 - 3 speed in the floor...Never lost a race... Cops after me all the time..... never arrested.... No drugs or pot....Best years of my life until draft caught me... Still in my blood though..
If you see my 57 at a car show, at the drags in Bowling Green KY at the Tri-5 Nats ask to look at the passenger side sun visor. Its signed by a few of the cast members that sat in my 57 to autograph it. This movie (that I saw while in the service) along with 2-Lane Black Top and Hollywood Nights all inspired me to build mine in the 70s and Im still smokin the tires on the street and drag racing it like it was built for. Its my time machine.
I have this DVD. But I remember seeing this when it came out. In the theater they turned up the music and it sounded great. I live in North Carolina, years later after the movie. I saw Wolfman Jack in a store one day, he looked the same as in the movie. He died in the mid 90's. He had moved to NC to be close to his family when he died, and is buried there the next town over from me, about 5 mi. away.
my favorite movie i watch this movie every 4 or 5 years again and again !!!! because of this movie i bought my self a black 55 chevy hahahahahahah !!!!!
This is THE film of my generation---------The Baby Boomers ! ----------------Long Live Us !! -------------My 1st car : a '57 Chevy Bel-Air, silver, with a red interior. --------------it was a classic. --------------I was a cross between John Milner & Curt Henderson------mostly, Curt. -----------------------------------WolfSky9, 72 y/o
Well, not quite. I was a little late to the party (born in ‘67) but I own a muscle car and absolutely cherish everything about the 50ies and 60ies, partly thanks to this film. I may not have personal memories of that era gone by but it’s definitely in my heart.
cruising was kinda revived in the early 2000's where I live. I spent many Saturday evenings cruising and hanging out with friends. and drag racing my dad's truck. those were great times.
EARTH...She also lived in San Francisco, try driving a stick shift up and down those hills with a stop single at every other street. I worked in SF driving my 57 and 61 Chevy it was quite a challenge especially if the car behind you didn't give you enough room to coast back and I would have to pop the clutch and burn rubber.
in the 60's cruising wasn't gone George... We were still cruising the gut through town up until around the 70's I think.. Heck we still had girls on skates at the A&W until the mid 60's or so.. But you were right about the music.. though I did finally go with the "new rock" I still love the bobber, chubby, Jerry Lee and all the guys for "before"
80's also in rural area's. But we called it "Booze Cruising". There would be about 4 of us in a car, driving down dirt back roads at about 15 mph, talking and listening to music for something to do,------ making like lawyers,---and working on a case. You miss that "Miller High Life", don't you? :)
Ray Evernham owns the 58' Chevy that was used in the movie, it's an interesting story as when he was a teenager he saw American Graffiti and fell in love with that car and cars in general. Anyways check it out here on UA-cam
Well done George, omg ,just everything my friend, and then to have the man,,the wolf man do his thing with the popsicle,wow,I will love you and this movie untill the day I die,Thank you so much for this ❤✝️❤✝️❤❤ The Vermonter
My pops, a Chevy man through and through, always got a kick out of pointing out that John Milner's Ford deuce coupe had a 327 Chevy engine. He told me to look at the two inner exhaust headers and if they're close together....it's a Chevy!
WE NEED ANOTHER MOVIE LIKE THIS. ALL THE MUSIC, ALL THE HOT ROD AND CUSTOM CARS, COME ON GEORGE
LET'S DO IT AGAIN.
I to this day , remember, and followed Wolman Jacks advice to Curt. I was 14 and got off my behind and developed a passion to see this " big beautiful world" as Wolfman put it. This film forever changed my life for the better. So thank you Mr. Lucas !!
"Clap For The Wolfman" by the Guess Who (Tribute)
ua-cam.com/video/dO8ahHedcnk/v-deo.html
American Graffiti wasn’t just a movie; it was a documentary of my high school years, as narrated by the wolf man, Wolfman Jack.
Here's to the Wolfman, may he live in the memories of us all....
God has blessed me with a wonderful life:
I am a retired electro-mechanical design engineer, AKA a “Rocket Scientist”, who has worked for several aerospace companies in Southern California. I was born in Cleveland Ohio, and grew up in Southern California, mostly in Orange County; Anaheim to be exact. My teen years were in the late fifties and early sixties, so I grew up with hot rods and muscle cars, at a time when they were made to be raced, and race them we did. Now, you wouldn’t think of driving one of those cars like we did then. We had the legends of automotive history and the enthusiasm of teenage boys trying to outdo each other, we raced them hard, and we had the time of our lives. My first love is muscle cars (of course), I have owned and driven many in my life, and I am now a collector. Since I am not a multi-millionaire, most of my collection consists of my experiences with these fantastic vehicles and the thrilling memories they left me with - that’s something a multi-millionaire can't buy.
American Graffiti wasn’t just a movie; it was a documentary of my high school years, as narrated by the wolf man, Wolfman Jack.
I am blessed with my memories of a grateful life as I have experienced it then, and now. I have lots of photos to share with my friends and family, some words of wisdom, and some words that are not so wise. But then, that’s what makes life so interesting.
Here's to the Wolfman, may he live in the memories of us all....
I LOVED THIS MOVIE!!! I remember "Cruising" in Spokane WA on Riverside Ave in the late '60s in my Red '62 Impala SS "409" listening to CCR on KJRB.
All windows down, tunes up....Great memories indeed!!
My hat goes off to George Lucan for bring back memories of my youth. The cars used, and the music were simply amazing. My favorite was the 58 Impala. So many future stars got their start in this Classic. This is actually the way we lived. We actually had a ball. Drag racing, drive in movies, cruising every night and we had a sense of total freedom.
I saw this movie in 73 when I was 15. I had a job and went right out and bought a 56 Chevy 210 2 door and started tinkering with it. I was hooked at that point....Over the years I have had MANY old cars and my latest is a 62 T-Bird with "Where were you in 62 airbrushed on the Continental kit and I fully restored it. Gonna do Route 66 with it, as a bucket list thing, if my health allows me to.
One of my all time favorites. The soundtrack is amazing!
My #1 all time favorite movie ever!!!! I want this America to come back!!!
+Greg Fair I want the car’s STYLES brought back! I want an option for EVERY American-built car / truck to have a manual transmission.
The second movie More American Graffiti showed how the later times in the decade killed that All American Way of Life!
I totally agree but Sadly I'm afraid it's gone forever!!! As America is now going to hell in a hand cart!!!
@@keithdukes5990 it is gone Keith all gone
@@chrisyurk6367 I'm 57 and still living it.....
America and cars - they are forever wedded in my consciousness.
Loved the gas station scene with Milner. Seems so real.
Revealing that Charles Martin Smith missed 3rd gear and crashing the Vespa, plus the nature of the Toad character itself makes that opening scene even more hilarious.
American Graffiti is the America I wish I grew up in!!!!!
Twas a great time back then... I miss those fun days!
Mee too
It was nice ! Best time of all, we loved our cars back then. Plus the music was great.
Greg Fair : My father came to the U.S. from Cuba in the early 50's.
I came along in 1957 and sometime toward the end of the 70's,him and I had a conversation about this same subject.
He told me people think the 60's were a good time to be in America,but the 50's were a much better time in the states.
He also corrected me when I told him I was a Cuban-American.
He said "No.You were born here.You're an American.I'm a Cuban-American"
There was a clear distinction about that in his mind.
To this day I'm glad he pointed that out.
The opening sequence with the song happy Birthday is so memorable and sets up the movie right off the bat.
The cars and the radio were like characters in this movie.
Dynamite movie......must have watched this movie over 100 times !!!!!!!!
American Graffiti is one of my all-time favorite movie.
I concor. I watch it once a month.
I graduated in '62 from a high school a mile from the beach in Los Angeles. This was me. I didn't just see it, I lived it. The most favorite time of my life.
It's his Best Work
Same here.
Me too.
American Graffiti IS my favorite movie of all time. I was blessed to have been there to enjoy the end of an era in the early 70's. And those old cars were practically a dime a dozen then. What a time.
The teenage boys in my neighborhood all had muscle and other cool cars when I was a little kid. To this day, I still love these cars.
One of my favorite movies and a large reason I am a "Car Guy"
I wish those days when cars meant so much were back... We live in a cold time now, where everything takes place after a tiny screen and nothing really matters....
To some of us,they are back!!
Exactly! I'm 59 and still live like that (pretty much). Everyone thinks I'm nutty, but I have fun.
And yet we're probably watching this on a tiny screen
18" screen and my wife bought me a candle that smells like race gas! A DR.Pepper and a chilli cheese dog . I think I'm at the track !
I'm 57 and still living it, love my old cars!!!
" Rock n Roll been going down hill ever since Buddy Holly died" True.
Buddy, Was a little ahead of my time. But I love his music. R.I.P. Buddy, Bopper and Richie! Long live Rock-n- Roll! Shawn
Shawn Beck you’re right mate. As Don McClean said, it was the day the music died when that plane went down with the “greats” on board. We lost too many in aircraft during the 50’s to 70’s.
I’m just glad I’m old enough to have lived through the best decades of music. That was real music; not that crap they put out now. 🇦🇺👍
@@shedmanx3640 I went to a Rolling Stones concert in the mid 1960s, when they had short hair, and wore suits. I guess that makes me quite old. lol
Used To Say A Modified Version Of lt At Work:
"Rock and Roll"s Been Goin' Downhill Since Justin Bieber Died..."
(ALWAYS Got A Laugh!)
@@dougauzene8389 Lol! Excellent comment sir!!!
I cruise around listening to oldies with my girlfriend and friends all the time! I’m keeping it alive!
Brilliant film and I never get tired of watching it. The sequel was much darker and difficult to watch but the original was just about as good as a movie could be.
My favorite movie... Paul, you drove the most iconic car ever.. other than the '55
Love everything American Graffiti! Thumb up for the back story.
We would cruise in rural mountains of Georgia in 1985-1990. I had a 1970 Ford truck with a 1961 -390 cid 401hp 3 deuce engine and it would light the tires up. I got a “Gator McClusky” 1969 Ford LTD with a 429 Super Cobra Jet in it. White Lightning and American Graffiti are real movies!
Cruising was still alive and well in small towns across America well into the late seventies. At least in the Midwest, where I grew up. Good times!
One of my favorite movies! A Classic, those were the best days.....
This film has the best soundtrack ever . I have just been to Santa pod last week for the Euro finals to watch the dragsters. 👍
That 58 chevy is sweet always liked the way that car looked!!!
Agreed, however the 58 Fords were a pretty sharp car as well to. They did show one in this movie, whare the broad was driving a VW and went along side a 58 Ford Fairlane with a guy she liked. I think he also was the one who said to Toad, what a waste of machinery.
But they never available with a 327! Not even in 1962!
I’ve had a number of classic cars
I use to go cruising in the 70s with my 55 Chevy and my muscle car a 67 coronet R/T with a 440 on the very same streets where they made American Graffiti
Petaluma California
I grew up in the 1960's and started dating my wife (highschool sweetheart) in 1970. We lived in a small town in SE Ohio and cruising was still big in this small town until the mid 70's when drugs got real bad. I only owned junk, but I borrowed my brother-in-law"s 1968 442 and his 1964 Stingray often. I took my future wife to the senior prom in the '64 Stingray, wow what a night to remember. We listened to the Four Season sing Sherry (my wofe's name) on the 8 track tpe player.
Love this movie! Seen it more than any other movie!
Jeeees this makes me feel old. One of the best movies made.
Even though I was 20 years removed from that era, where I was from, cruising was the thing to do. The movie was so iconic in many ways reflected my life as a teen and happy to say it did.
So true about picture cars that belong to collectors that are super sensitive about the treatment of their beloved machines.
Ever since I saw the movie for the first time as a kid I knew this was my movie and this is a Rock and Roll story as well. How wonderful and amazing !
Did you notice that nobody has ever tried to remake A.G.? Must have been pretty damn good the first time, one of my favorites.
One of the greatest movies ever made, it rates right up there with Gone With the Wind and Citizen Kane.
I was 14 when this movie came out and it set the tone for my teen years. What teens did in the mid '70's wasn't really all that different from the movie, just the clothes and cars were different (well, some of them). We also cruised the strip, hung out with friends, pulled minor capers like occasionally trying to get ahold of alcohol( with some success on two occasions - Little Kings and Cold Duck), etc. A couple of us had hotrods (my '69 L78 Camaro and a buddy's '69 Mach 1 428 CJ) and the others drove assorted hand-me-down grandpa cars (an early '60s Mercury Comet, two mid '60s Park Lanes, and a Maverick) or sometimes they'd have the family Impala or LTD for the evening or I'd have my sister's '66 Malibu. I had the AG soundtrack in LP (a double album set that I still have, somewhere), 8 track, and at least a couple of copies in cassette which I wore out by playing them so much. Because of AG, music from the late '50s and early '60s reminds me of my teen years as much if not more than music from the '70s. I still know every song on the AG soundtrack as well as Wolfman's dialog by heart. In the '80s I moved from the Midwest to Southern California, and every time I drove through the town of Little Rock the Wolfman call-in from Little Rock on the AG soundtrack would go through my head ("All we got is YOU!").
Nolo C , yes . It was a couple years after the Movie came out ,t happy days was brand new on t.v . They had a 50s Dance at school and somehow got a copy of this movie and showed it . My parents took my shoes and put white down the middle like white bucks , never did cleanup . They put the brill crème in my hair and I had to wash it 3 or 4 times after the Dance to get my hair clean . The Girls at the Dance had Poodle skirts their parents put together . We were young enough that the girls did not fill out the sweaters properly , but we had a good time . Cruiser night last Thursday at the Park across from the barber shop . After haircut I took photos 1966 ford Fairlane 289 , 1960 Catalina , 1964 Catalina wagon and a few others showed up before I left . yes they were fun days !
Fun days that will nevrr, ever be repeated ever again. You have some nice memories there, may God in heaven bless you for those sweet memories.
@@markcantemail8018 Brylcream is making a comeback now in days, so is Vitalis and Groom & Clean hair dressings for men. Your parents probably have had to put almost a whole tube of Brylcream in your hair to have to wash it out three or four times to get it out of your hair. Sell like for Brylcream was, A little dab will do ya.
I live in Minnesota and downtown St.Paul was going strong just like the movie. It was called the loop from the 50s to 1975. life couldn't get any better back then. The cars did the racing from one light to the next. Hot chics with halter tops and short shorts. We had other places to cruise but nothing could compare to downtown. We even had a Porkys drive in back then. I will always miss all them good times.
it was called the loop a lot later than that.
@@leftyo9589
After the white castle was tore down and they made the street a two way it all ended in the late 70s.
About the Thunderbird...I was driving down Diamond Bar Blvd. in Diamond Bar, CA recently when I spotted a light blue Ford Thunderbird and thought, that it looked a lot like the TBird in American Graffiti. Surprisingly, the driver pulled into the same parking lot as I did, and I went over and commented, "Geeze, this looks like the TBird in American Graffiti." He looked at me for a moment, looked at the car and replied, 'This IS the car from American Graffiti" Needless to say I was pleasantly surprised and had a lively conversation about the car and the movie. Turned out that he lived a couple of blocks away from where I live.
+Ken Allan Wow what a wild coincidence! Did you happen to ask the owner if he/she was the same owner at the time the film was shot? I'd love to know the complete history of the car ever since the movie came out. I'd also be curious as to what the car would bring at auction...Too much for me to afford no doubt! Thanks for sharing that great story.
The AG T-Bird was (and still is) white with red interior. After nearly 50 years with its previous owner Clay Daily, it's currently owned by Jerry Causbrook (who also wons the Richard Dreyfus Citroen fromt he movie) of Petaluma CA up in the Bay area where most of the movie was filmed. The T-Bird, the yellow Deuce, and a cast member or two make regular appearances at the annual Petaluma American Graffiti cruise-in.
kipsamericangraffiti.blogspot.com/2011/06/cars-56-t-bird.html
petalumaspectatorphotoblog.wordpress.com/2011/05/22/cars-chrome-1956-ford-thunderbird/
unofficialamericangraffiti.weebly.com/past-events.html
www.americangraffiti.net/the-cars
Etc.
Funny, the T Bird to in which your refering to look white to me in the movie. No matter, I believe your story is true and exciting to have spoke to the owner of that car that actress Susann Sommers drove around in that movie, tormenting Ole Curt there.
Great movie and soundtrack. Lucas owns one of the most iconic cars ever made. He owns a Tucker.
Loved that movie, saw it 16 times when it came out. I was 16 then. Good times.
no matter how many times I see this, I love the movie, the times, I was a teenager in this time frame,and did a lot of this stuff...:)
George Lucas:
"American Graffiti is one of the most successful investments of all time. The return on the dollar spent is I think, greater than almost any other movie made."
What else needs to be said?
That's awesome on top of being a great movie it was good financially to got to love that
Its amazing how times change kids dont what we did in 50's through the 70's its all video games and the fast and the furious shit!!! American graphetti days have gone to the history books gone forever!!!
Great movie, brings back lots of memories..48 Ford pickup flathead 8, twin duce carbs,polished dome hubcaps and the " ol Man- quiet that damn thing down and turn that " F'n" radio down too" he had such a way of words lol..
miss ya dad
American Graffiti is my all-time favorite movie...
THE BLACK MEAN 55 CHEVY IS THE BEST !!!!! I JUST LOVE THE CAR I WAS 12 YEARS OLD BACK IN 1979 WHEN I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME AND I FELLED IN LOVE WITH THE BLACK 55 CHEVY AND I SAID TO MY SELF SOMEDAY I WILL HAVE A BLACK 55 CHEVY AND NOW I HAVE ONE BLACK 2DR POST 1955 CHEVY YESSSS !!!!!HAHAHAHAH
dude, your caps lock is on. also, the '55 used in the movie was used earlier in the movie Two Lane Blacktop. James Taylor was the driver, Dennis Wilson was the mechanic. and Warren Oates was their opponent, driving a '70 GTO. great movie if you're a car guy, but I showed it to some non car guy friends and they thought it was boring. I believe the car was the one (of 3) that was set up to roll over in Two Lane Blacktop. but the car stuck to the ground too well and didn't flip over. so they added to the movie and made it work.
I owned a '69 camaro in '79 and the early 80's. We were still doing a lot of cruising then. In Ft. Lauderdale anyway.
When I was stationed in Abilene Texas in 1970, the thing to do on Friday and Saturday nights was to go to
Mack Eplen’s restaurant at North 1st and Shelton and cruse. great food and a lot of gas burned up. I had a 1970 Dodge Challenger at that time. This was our "American Graffiti" three years before the move. Just like in the movie
I also went overseas in 1971 from Dyess AFB in Abilene Texas To Utapo Thailand with the 340th MMS / 307 Strategic Wing [Bomb Wing] B52's] I loaded Bombs on the B52 from 1971- 1972 this was one of the bases where they would fly into Viet Nam From. Utapo AFB. I love this movie because it shows the great times I had and the not so great times
At the very beginning of this clip you can see my “ Canary Yellow ‘55. That car had the high end trim. In the interior it had. Crome bow in the headliner. Had an awesome console out of a ‘64Nova. 3 speed.w/ “Hurst” shifter. It had a Blueflame. Straight 6 cylinder that was bored 30 over .
that's really cool! do you still have the car?
That's my car at 3:08 and 3:15. I answered an ad in the SF Chronicle looking for period cars...35.00/day. When I asked about driving, they said they were shooting all night long and no money for driving. Forget that, I said...just take the car....55 Studebaker Commander coupe.
Paula la mat who played John Milner received a whopping $3,600 for his role for the entire movie... Damn it if only they will let him keep the car
In 1973 you could buy a new car for $3600
Thanks for making this movie ,it a great feeling to relive this time, also thanks for doing TUCKER with COPPOLA I loved being in it.
All time favorite movie, loved that Wolfman Jack was in it also.
He gave Wolfman Jack a piece of the profits that helped him.
In '74 I was living in a group home in Mt Vernon WA, a rural town much like Modesto and I must of paid to see American Graffiti 6 times. After watching the movie I ran into a classmate with a car and we tried cruising Mt Vernon and we even talked a girl into sneaking out and cruising with us. The movie struck a cord with me, I was the youngest but I had a foster Sister who graduated in '63 and a Brother in '66 so I I was witness to their lives during that period. The movie was a lot of fun although I don't think it was a realistic portrayal of most kids during that period, my strict Catholic Mother would of had a cow if Emily or Paul stayed out all night cruising, graduation or not.
You see this movie, and your youth comes flooding back
Being married with a little girl when the movie came out, it took me straight back to my teens and high school. I have always loved racing and by the time I graduated from high school, I had gone through four cars and one pickup truck. It was a good thing that I worked through high school because I would have been walking if I hadn’t. My parents used to tell me and just about everyone else that I wouldn’t live to see 21, fooled them! lol American Graffiti is one of my all time favorite movies.
George's best work.
I think so too.
Anyone who lived in the PNW remember "Cruising Riverside" in Spokane WA. This movie was a duplicate of that time and we did it EXACTLY that way. We were even able to listen to the "Wolfman" when his station would come in late at night.
Best movie ever! I have watched this hundreds and hundreds of times wore out my VHS and the DVD is getting crappy. My car buddy's and I usually have it playing in one of our garages getting our rods ready for Back to the fifties in Minnesota
America during the 1950s and 1960s, when teenagers actually WANTED to get driver's licenses and drive cars. Nowadays, it's all about computers, internet, social media, and video games. Ugh. 😠
I saw this on opening night when I was just seven years old. Fell in love with the 56 TBird that night.
That Vespa scene is one of the funniest things I have ever seen on film. To know that it was unintentional makes it even funnier. I wonder if George Lucas ever used that "Cowboy" character guy in any other movies.... Seems like a natural.
This is my teen years but with a lot more incidents.... 56 Chevy- built 348 - 3 speed in the floor...Never lost a race... Cops after me all the time..... never arrested.... No drugs or pot....Best years of my life until draft caught me... Still in my blood though..
My favorite car movie was Hollywood Knights with Tony Dansa and Michele Phiffer
If you see my 57 at a car show, at the drags in Bowling Green KY at the Tri-5 Nats ask to look at the passenger side sun visor. Its signed by a few of the cast members that sat in my 57 to autograph it. This movie (that I saw while in the service) along with 2-Lane Black Top and Hollywood Nights all inspired me to build mine in the 70s and Im still smokin the tires on the street and drag racing it like it was built for. Its my time machine.
Love this movie
maybe more common in the 50's & early 60's but it hung on in small towns a bit later, with a certain hippie flavour.
I have this DVD. But I remember seeing this when it came out. In the theater they turned up the music and it sounded great. I live in North Carolina, years later after the movie. I saw Wolfman Jack in a store one day, he looked the same as in the movie. He died in the mid 90's. He had moved to NC to be close to his family when he died, and is buried there the next town over from me, about 5 mi. away.
my favorite movie i watch this movie every 4 or 5 years again and again !!!! because of this movie i bought my self a black 55 chevy hahahahahahah !!!!!
This is THE film of my generation---------The Baby Boomers ! ----------------Long Live Us !! -------------My 1st car : a '57 Chevy Bel-Air, silver, with a red interior. --------------it was a classic. --------------I was a cross between John Milner & Curt Henderson------mostly, Curt. -----------------------------------WolfSky9, 72 y/o
American classic, Fantastic movie and time to be a Young American !
Need more of these films.
Kids wouldn't understand anymore.
Yes many more of these fims!!!
The good old Days ! 💙 🇺🇸 💤💤💤💤🎶🎶🎵
American Graffiti will never die.
Those...were...the...days...my...friend....I thought they'd never end,"but they did."They live only in the hearts of those who were there.
True.
Well, not quite. I was a little late to the party (born in ‘67) but I own a muscle car and absolutely cherish everything about the 50ies and 60ies, partly thanks to this film. I may not have personal memories of that era gone by but it’s definitely in my heart.
cruising was kinda revived in the early 2000's where I live. I spent many Saturday evenings cruising and hanging out with friends. and drag racing my dad's truck. those were great times.
"But I was a very good driver, because I had a VW with a stick shift.".
Oh boy. She's a pro.
EarthSurferUSA you gotta remember back then it was mechanical clutch and manual steering she was a pro lol
EARTH...She also lived in San Francisco, try driving a stick shift up and down those hills with a stop single at every other street. I worked in SF driving my 57 and 61 Chevy it was quite a challenge especially if the car behind you didn't give you enough room to coast back and I would have to pop the clutch and burn rubber.
Great movie
So glad I grew up in the 50s & 60s, cruising in my 63 Plymouth Sport Fury Convertible. Sweet Baby!
That is my all time favorite flick.
Great , movie on so many levels......!!!!
in the 60's cruising wasn't gone George... We were still cruising the gut through town up until around the 70's I think.. Heck we still had girls on skates at the A&W until the mid 60's or so.. But you were right about the music.. though I did finally go with the "new rock" I still love the bobber, chubby, Jerry Lee and all the guys for "before"
I have a 1962 Modesto city directory, there were some Milners in Modesto back then.
hahaha ... good ol' 55 wouldn't roll !!! .... That's my baby !! :)
I saw this movie so many times in the theater
I have a 64 two door impala, I play oldies while driving it, brings back tons of memories 🙂 ……”🎶…16 …🎶…candles …….🎵” 🤗
Always loved this movie . My high school car was a 1967 chevelle super sport
Mine was a 1973 Z/28. Should have never sold it.
Cruising was still going on in the 1970's..
80's also in rural area's. But we called it "Booze Cruising".
There would be about 4 of us in a car, driving down dirt back roads at about 15 mph, talking and listening to music for something to do,------ making like lawyers,---and working on a case.
You miss that "Miller High Life", don't you? :)
Cruising in the 80's in Iowa for sure.
Cruising was huge on the strip in Fort Lauderdale in the 80's
had a 69 chevelle
I had a '69 Charger and a '69 Roadrunner. Now I have a mid-size SUV , 3 kids and an ex wife. Times change I guess.
Ray Evernham owns the 58' Chevy that was used in the movie, it's an interesting story as when he was a teenager he saw American Graffiti and fell in love with that car and cars in general. Anyways check it out here on UA-cam
Thank you George my all time favorite movie 👏👏👏
I could watch this movie over and over again 😻
Well done George, omg ,just everything my friend, and then to have the man,,the wolf man do his thing with the popsicle,wow,I will love you and this movie untill the day I die,Thank you so much for this ❤✝️❤✝️❤❤ The Vermonter
My pops, a Chevy man through and through, always got a kick out of pointing out that John Milner's Ford deuce coupe had a 327 Chevy engine. He told me to look at the two inner exhaust headers and if they're close together....it's a Chevy!
Most '32 Fords had Chevy small block V8's in them. The dimensions, power, and simplicity just made it a more logical choice.
Love this movie it never gets old
saw this at the century movie theater in San Jose the week it came out they had the coupe in the lobby
A time that we will never see again. Sad.......very sad😢