Friday, April 19, 2019

SHOOTING AMERICAN GRAFFITI


“Sup Dawg?  This time, we gonna drop it when it’s hot!”  Oh, wow, how do I segue from mid-'90's rap blasting in my ear buds to 1950's rock and roll? I guess I'll pull up some early Elvis on Spotify.  Maybe a little, "Mystery Train" or "Let's Play House." Okay, now I'm in the mood.


 For this entry, in "Kip’s American Graffiti Blog,” we present to you (because you never asked), notes on the shooting schedule of American Graffiti. 


These notes include details about the actors, locations, technicians, and vehicles related to the production of the film.  It represents a timeline which states where and when production resources are used and the general filming locations.  The information presented here is reproduced from the daily progress reports as they are printed in the book, “The Cinema of George Lucas” by Marcus Hearn.   Additional comments by me, Kip. Also, I've included butt-loads of cool pics for fans to drool over.


So, lets set down the Gin & Juice and pick up a bottle of Old Harper & Coke and get into the spirit of things.  Keep reading!
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Jana Bellan as carhop waitress, Budda looking cold with arms crossed.  She, Lucas and staff prepare to shoot take 3 in which Budda turns down Toad for a date


SHOOT DAY 1:  Monday, June 26, 1972

CALL 7:00pm                WRAP:  5:30am

LOCATION:  4th St (Between C st. and Lincoln) San Rafael, CA

Scenes:  EXT STREET & COUPE (John and Carol) Scene Sc. 22 (John “I don’t like that surfing crap.  Rock –n-roll’s been going downhill since Buddy Holly died”) 

 Pages 2-6/8 

 Setups: 10


SHOOT DAY 2:  Tuesday, June 27, 1972

CALL 8:00pm                WRAP:  6:40am

LOCATION:  4th St (Between C. and Lincoln) San Rafael, CA

Scenes:  EXT STREET & COUPE (John & Carol).  [John: “How old are you?” Carol: “Old enough.  How old are you?”   “Too old for you,”]

Pages: 4-7/8

Set Ups:  19

NOTES:  Unable to clear or control street as planned due to City Council Order to San Rafael Police Department

A 45rpm record used for American Graffiti radio spots

SHOOT DAY 3:  Thursday, June 28, 1972

CALL 7:30                    WRAP:  5:40am

LOCATION:  Oakhill Park & Petaluma Blvd., Petaluma Blvd., Petaluma, CA.

Scenes: EXT STREET (Coupe/Water Balloon/Park)

Pages:  3: -2/8

Setups:  29

Cars:  ’32 Coupe, Studebaker, 24 atmosphere cars



SHOOT Day 4:  Thursday, June 29, 1972

CALL 7:30pm                WRAP:  5:30am

LOCATION:  Petaluma Streets, Petaluma

Scenes:  EXT STREET & COUPE (Coupe & Falfa).  Scene 54 [Carol] Carol: "He’s fast” John: “Yeah, 'but he’s stupid.”

Pages 2-7/8

Setups:  28

Mackenzie Phillips and Pau Le Mat rehearse their lines as Lucas (red jacket in window) watches. 


SHOOT Day 5:  Friday, June 30, 1972

CALL 6:30pm                WRAP:  5:40am

LOCATION:  Rusty’s Auto Wrecking, 21481 8th St East, Sonoma, CA; Scene 30 (song indicated [“It’s just a matter of time”]

Pages 3-7/8

Setups:  23

Livestock: 1 dog

Paul Le Mat "John Milner"

SHOOT Day 6:  Monday July 3, 1972


CALL 7:30pm                WRAP:  5:40am

LOCATION:  4th Street San Rafael

Scenes:  EXT STREET (Coupe/BA/Bozo, etc)  Scene 24 [Traveling-Terry-Mercury”: song indicated: "Almost Grown”]  Sc 27 [Driver-Mercury: “Toad is that you in that beautiful car?"  Terry nods casually. “Jeeze what a waste of machinery.”]

Pages:  4

Setups: 16

HOLIDAY:  July 4, 1972
No work

The cast & crew ate meals at the old Mayflower Van & Storage location in Petaluma where cars and filming equipment were stored during the daytime.  (Photo courtesy of Candy Clark)
SHOOT DAY 7: Wednesday July 5

CALL: 7:30pm               WRAP:  5:30am

Location:  Wilson’s Appliance Store, 145 Kentucky Ave., Petaluma; Chamber of Commerce Parking Lot, Petaluma Blvd.

Scenes: EXT TV APPLIANCE STORE. Sc. 36 [Curt is shanghaied by the Pharaohs]

EXT. PARKING LOT

EXT.  STREET

PAGES: 6

SETUPS: 13

The talented, Bo Hopkins as "Joe the Pharaoh"


SHOOT DAY 8 Thursday, July 6

CALL: 7:30pm               WRAP: 5:45am

LOCATION: Richmond Streets, Richmond CA; Miniature Golf Course/Office, Pinole

 SCENES: EXT STREET (Hoods/Curt/Merc)

EXT.  Miniature Golf Course

INT.  HOLE-IN-ONE OFFICE Sc. 48 [Joe: “We’re outta gas.” Curt: “They don’t sell gas here”  “We’re outta money too.”]

PAGES:  6-1/8

SETUPS:  16



SHOOT DAY 9:  Friday, July 7

CALL: 7:30pm               WRAP:  5:15

LOCATION:  Chamber of Commerce Lot, Petaluma Blvd. North

SCENES:  EXT PARKING LOT, Sc. 62 [the patrol car loses its trans-axle and two rear wheels.]

PAGES:   1-7/8

SETUPS:  26




SHOOT DAY 10:  Monday, July 10

CALL: 7:00pm               WRAP: 6:00am

LOCATION:  Mels Drive-in,140 S. Van Ness near Mission  San Francisco, CA

SCENES:  EXT. DRIVE IN, Sc 2 [“A large neon sign buzzes in the foreground, “Burger City,” while in the background, Rock Around the Clock” blares from the radio of a beautiful decked and channeled candy-apple red, tuck and rolled ’53 Merc that glides into the Drive-in.”]

PAGES: 4

SETUPS:  15

CARS:  Citroen

SR EQUIPMENT: (1) Jeep Crane #4

In this rare photo you can glimpse one of the tall San Francisco buildings next to Mels that director, Lucas tried to avoid capturing on film.


SHOOTING DAY 11: Tuesday, July 11

CALL:  7:00pm              WRAP:  6:00am

LOCATION:  Mels Drive-in, San Francisco

Scenes EXT DRIVE-IN, Sc. 42 [John orders Carol a Coke; Song designated: In the Still of the Night.”]


PAGES 8

SETUPS: 23

Background actor, Donna Wehr sits on the now famous 1958 Impala.


SHOOT DAY: 12 Wednesday, July 12

CALL: 6:30pm   WRAP:  5:30am

LOCATION: Mel’s Drive-in, San Francisco

Scenes EXT. DRIVE-IN, Sc72

Pages 5-2/8

SETUPS:  24
Filming Ron Howard in an interior scene at Mels Drive-in. Lucas (under counter), Haskel Wexler (behind camera)

 SHOOT DAY 13: Thursday, July 13

CALL: 7:30pm   WRAP: 5:30am

LOCATION: C of C. Lot, Petaluma.  Petaluma Streets

 SCENES: EXT.  STREET

 EXT. CAR LOT & STREET

 EXT. CAR LOT/COPS (retake)

 PAGES: 1-2/8

 SETUPS: 20

George Lucas directs future directors, Ron Howard & Charles Martin Smith


SHOOT DAY 14: Friday July 14

CALL: 6:30pm               WRAP:  5:26am

LOCATION: Marin Memorial Cemetery, Novato

SCENES: EXT CANAL. [Laurie gets angry with Steve;

The Merc is stolen; talk of the “Goat Killer”

PAGES: 4-2/8

SETUPS:  8
A rare historical pic of Mels Drive-in which first opened in 1947 by partners, Mel Weiss and Harold Dobbs. It closed its doors and was demolished in 1976, four years after Lucas and crew had used the location as the kid's hangout in American Graffiti.

 SHOOT DAY 15: Monday, July 17

CALL: 6:00am               WRAP: 7:49

LOCATION: Mel’s Drive-in, San Francisco

Scenes INT. DRIVE-IN

EXT. DRIVE-IN, Sc [Curt speaking on the phone to the blonde in the white T-bird: “It’s important to me.. You’re the most perfect beautiful creature I’ve ever seen and I don’t know anything about.  Could we meet someplace?” Voice:  “I cruise 3rd Street every Night.  Maybe I’ll see you again tonight.”  “I don’t think So…I’m leaving in a couple of hours.”


PAGES: BAL OF SEQ

SETUPS: 30

Notes:  (1) Éclair camera fell off tripod-badly damaged


Director George Lucas poses with Richard Dreyfuss (sitting in a Citroen 2CV) 


SHOOT DAY 16: Tuesday July 18

CALL: 6:30pm               WRAP: 5:26am

LOCATION:  Marin, Memorial Cemetery, Novato;& Petaluma Streets, Petaluma

SCENES EXT. STREET (Terry/Falfa)

SCENES EXT. STREET (Laurie/Falfa)

PAGES: 2-4/8

SETUPS:  12

NOTES:  Light rain from 1:30am to wrap prevented completion of scheduled scenes, streets too wet.
Ed Greenberg "Kip Pullman."

 SHOOT DAY: 17 Wednesday July 19

CALL: 7:30                   WRAP: 5:37

LOCATION: Petaluma Streets (Petaluma Blvd.,Kentucky, Washington, Western)

SCENES EXT. STREET (Curt/V.W./T-Bird/Kip) Sc. 29

[Shouting from on e car to another, Kip:  “Henderson, Long time no see.  What’cha been doing?” Curt: “Not much, just wanted to let you know that Bobbie here is hopelessly in love with you and trembles at the sight of your rippling biceps…” Bobbie turns in the V.W. and “starts flailing at Curt with her purse.”]

PAGES: 1-2/8

SETUPS:  20


SHOOT DAY 18:  Thursday July 20

CALL: 7:30                   WRAP: 5:45

LOCATION Rowena Lane (KTOB transmitter), Petaluma, Lazy-Me Used Cars, 320 Petaluma Blvd.; North Petaluma streets.

SCENES EXT. RADIO STATION, Sc. 70 [Manager: “The Wolfman is everywhere…Listen-no offense to your hometown here, but this ain’t exactly the hub of the universe…Hell, here I sit while there’s a whole big beautiful world out there.”]

EXT CAR LOT

EXT. STREETS

PAGES:  2

SETUPS:  18

KTOB radio tower site located on Rovina Ln. was Petaluma's local community radio station for many decades. The exterior scenes of Curt approaching Wolfman's radio station, XERB were filmed here. 

 Friday 7-21-72 - Company DID NOT WORK
SHOOT DAY 19:  Saturday, July 22

 CALL: 12:00pm             WRAP: 8:45pm

LOCATION:  Marin Memorial, Cemetery, Novato

SCENES EXT. CANAL & CANAL ROAD, FILTER DAY FOR-NIGHT

PAGES:  4-1/8

SETUPS:  11


Filming a cruising montage on 4th Street in San Rafael, CA


SHOOT DAY 20: Sunday, July 23

CALL: 7:30                   WRAP: 5:40

LOCATION:  4th St., San Rafael

SCENES EXT. STREETS-MONTAGE SEQUENCES

PAGES:  2

SETUPS:  27

Note:  4 cameras used…one Jeep crane

Candy Clark "Debbie" rests between takes on the hood of a car.       
(Photo: Dennis Stock/Magnum Photos)


SHOOT DAY 21:  Monday, July 24

CALL: 8:30pm               WRAP: 6:30am

LOCATION:  Sanders Used Cars (B St. and Petaluma Blvd North); EZ Pickins Gas Station,


U.S. 101 (South of Petaluma); Frates Road, Sonoma County

SCENES EXT. CAR LOT

EXT STREETS

EXT. GAS STA., Sc 66 [Attendant (to John): “Why do they even try…Hell; you’ve been number one longer than I can remember…”]

EXT PARADISE ROAD, Sc 75 [“Both cars roar off the starting line, tires smoking and screaming.”]

 PAGES:  2-4/8


SETUPS:  23

 
Climactic drag race on Frates Road "Paradise Road" in Petaluma, CA


SHOOT DAY 22: Tuesday, July 25

CALL: 8:30pm               WRAP:  6:40pm

LOCATION: Petaluma High School; Pet Streets; Frates Road.

SCENES EXT.  GYM PARKING LOT, sc 21 [Wendy: “Same old Curt.  All the time we were going together you never knew what you were doing.”]

EXT STREETS

EXT. PARADISE ROAD (cont’d)

PAGES:  2-2/8

SETUPS:  22

NOTE: Blew reverse gear in ’32 Coupe

100 block Petaluma Blvd. North (circa 1986) Sonoma Co. Library

SHOOT DAY 23:  Wednesday, July 26

CALL:  8:30pm              WRAP: 6:30am

LOCATION:  Rear of Beasley’s Rest. (Petaluma Blvd. N. &Washington); Pet. Streets, Frates Road

SCENES EXT. BAR PARKING LOT

EXT. STREETS (Curt/T-Bird)

EXT.  PARADISE ROAD (cont’d)

PAGES:  4

SETUPS:  26

NOTE:  1st attempt to roll car failed…approx. 6:10 Am. Continued to shoot until wrap.   Car unable to repeat run due to broken tie rod.


Beasley's Eats' (circa 1975) rear parking area located on Water Street, Petaluma. The beige car in the background is the location where Toad (Charles Martin Smith) got sick, beat up and rescued by John Milner (Paul Le Mat).  

SHOOT DAY 24:  Thursday, July 27

CALL:   8:30pm             WRAP: 6:40am

LOCATION: EZ Pickins, U.S. 101; Public Parking

Lot, Petaluma Blvd.; Streets and sidewalk, Petaluma Frates Road

SCENES EXT. GAS STATION (pick-up c.u. “John”)

EXT ACME LOT

EXT. STREET and SIDEWALK

EXT. PARADISE ROAD (cont’d)

PAGES:  3-3/8

SETUPS:  25

NOTE: 2nd attempt at car stunt failed…Bent right tie rod.

SHOOT DAY 25:  Monday, July 31

 CALL:  8:00am              WRAP: 8:00pm

 LOCATION: Petaluma High School, Marin Memorial Cemetery, Novato

 SCENES INT. HALL

 INT. BOY’S LAVATORY

 INT. GIRL’S LAVATORY

 EXT. CANAL AND CANAL ROAD (retake)

 PAGES:  1-5/8

 SETUPS:  13

 NOTE:  Retakes needed at Canal location due to underexposed film.
Candy Clark & Charles Martin Smith's make-out scene was filmed in daylight at a tributary of the Petaluma River located near the base of the first hill immediately north of the Novato airport.

 SHOOT DAY 26:  Tuesday, Aug 1

CALL: 10:00am              WRAP: 10:10pm

LOCATION: Mt. Tamalpias High School- Boy’s Gym, Mill Valley

SCENES INT. GYM (Sock Hop), Sc. 14 [designated song: “At the Hop”]

PAGES:  6-1/8

SETUPS:  38

NOTE:  4 cameras used



SHOOT DAY 27:  Wednesday, August 2

CALL: 8:30pm               WRAP: 6:15am

LOCATION: Petaluma High School; Petaluma Streets

SCENES EXT. GYM PARKING LOT

EXT.  STREETS

EXT. DRIVE-IN (retake)

PAGES:  2-7/8

SETUPS:  18

Executive Producer, Francis Ford Coppola visits Lucas on location at the Tamalpais High School boy's gym in Marin, CA
Richard Dreyfuss attempts to relax a nervous Wolfman Jack by goofing around between takes


SHOOT DAY 28:  Thursday, August 3

 CALL:  8:30pm              WRAP: 6:40am

 LOCATION: KRE Radio, Berkeley; Buchanan Field, Concord

 SCENES EXT./INT. RADIO STATION

 EXT: AIRPORT

 INT. AIRPLANE

 PAGES:  4-2/8

 SETUPS:  16

 NOTE:  Airplane unable to taxi off due to flat left tires.  Did not get shot of plane airborne.


SHOOT DAY 29: Friday, August 4

CALL: 8:30pm               WRAP:  9:30am

LOCATION: 884 Bodega Ave., Petaluma; Frates Road;. Buchanan Field (2nd unit)

SCENES EXT. /INT LIQUOR STORE, Sc. 44 [Toad tries to buy the elusive bottle of “Old Harper. Designated song:Teenager in Love”]

EXT. PARADISE ROAD (retake)

EXT. AIRPORT/AIRPLANE, SC. 79 [“Curt listens to the radio as the plane takes off.  As it climbs and banks out over the valley, the music fades and the station drifts between static and other stations an then it’s gone.  Curt turns off the radio and looks out the window.  As the plane banks, the wing tips down and through the window Curt sees the yellow Thunderbird crossing beneath on the small grey ribbon of highway.  Curt leans up, watching it-the plane shadow ripples over the car and then it’s gone”]

 PAGES:  4-1/8

 SETUPS:  26

 NOTES:  Low overcast prevented shooting at Frates Road location until 8:40am.  Stunt again failed to work. “A” arm and tie rods bent. (1) cameraman & (1) asst. cameraman to airport to film plane take off after company wrap at Frates Road location.

 Wrap 1st unit shooting “AMERICAN GRAFFITI”
A rare pic of the the aircraft used for the final scenes in Graffiti. The company which loaned the prop plane to Lucas and crew was named, Magic Carpet Air Travel Club


2 nd UNIT SHOOTING: Monday, 8/7/72

CALL: 4:00am               WRAP: 10:42am

LOCATION: Frates Road

SCENES:  EXT PARADISE ROAD (retake stunt and explosion only)

EXT. ROAD/T-BIRD (aerial shot)

NOTE:  Used Cessna as camera plane f/aerial shot.

(4) cameras used on stunt.
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NOTES:
Actress, Sylvia Koscina. 1962


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