A Collection of Pix

Hello readers!  While I contemplate the topic for my next post, I'm presenting to you, the reader, an American Graffiti collage and a Wolfman Jack collage, guaranteed to provide hours of viewing pleasure. How much would you pay to look at these incredible photos?  Don't answer until you hear this: If you act now, below you can view an autographed pic of Wolfman Jack and Bo Hopkins signed last February at the Sacramento Autorama.  Some fans may have seen some of these pics before, but I ask you, Have you ever seen these pics  presented in such a fabulously creative way? I think not.  In fact, the Graffiti collage is so incredible that actress, Candy Clark (Debbie) recently made prints of it.

So, let's review: You get to view the delightful American Graffiti collage, the wonderful Wolfman Jack collage and as our free gift to you, the autograph picture of Wolfman & Bo.  This presentation is not available anywhere else on the internet. So remember, respond before midnight tonight.  Operators are standing by. 

Candy Clark's personal favorite (Click on pic to enlarge)

  (Click on pic to go to Wolfman Jack: En El Aire.)

  

(Click on photo to enlarge)

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Que Pasa? Dates & Details: CRUISIN' THE GUT

CRUISIN' the GUT, 2011

Downtown, Vancouver, WA

Saturday July 16, 2011

Hey, if you happen to live near Vancouver, Washington you might wanna check out Cruisin' the Gut, where hot rods, classics, & Kustoms converge to cruise the downtown streets. There is no pre-registration or fee to participate, or to watch. Cars will begin at Dairy Queen (28th & Main) and cruise for over 20 city blocks.  With a strip that long everyone who attends is sure to get a great viewing spot!

 

"CRUISIN THE GUT" FACEBOOK PAGE

 

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AMERICAN GRAFFITI COMES TO BLU-RAY

 

The Blu-ray Hi-Def version of American Graffiti was released last month, May 31, 2011. 

Recently when I had heard through my pal, Hal Johnson that American Graffiti was being released on Blu-Ray, I was thrilled.  This was exciting news to me - not because now I could see this tremendous film at home "the way it was meant to be seen," but rather I learned for the first time on any home release there is a director commentary by George (who else) Lucas who shares anecdotes about the production of the film.  How cool is that???  

George Lucas watches the girls using the restroom.

I logged onto Blu-Ray.com to get more information on the new release and discovered other features including 23 minutes of original screen tests of the cast and the less riveting feature whereby one can enable pop-up windows that reveal the titles, artist names and original record information of the various songs that adorn the film.  This is less interesting to me since I've researched the tunes in the film on my own.  See our AMERICAN GRAFFITI SOUNDTRACK post for extensive info on the music used in the film.   Apparently, there are some other excellent features on the Blu-ray edition that have been previously released on DVD versions of the film including the  outstanding 78 min documentary, The Making of American Graffiti and the original 3 min. trailer.

WHY DID I WAIT TO BUY THE BLU-RAY EDITION???

As a part-time School Psychologist (emphasis on part-time), and guitar instructor I don't make enough money to always have the luxury to go out and purchase something, (in this case the new Blu-ray) as soon as I want. So I've had to curb my impulses and wait 'till I get my next pay check. Well, finally having just received said paycheck in the mail today, June 16, I quickly deposited it into the ATM machine at Wells Fargo, and immediately headed down to the local mall to purchase the Blu-ray version of Graffiti.  The Willow Shopping Center here in Clovis has both a BEST BUY and a TARGET store. It was a frustrating and disappointing experience.  After not spotting it on the store shelf I had asked the young clerk at Best Buy if they had the American Graffiti Blu-ray in stock.  He went away then came back and said "No neither this store or my Fresno store has it in stock but it can be ordered on line."   I felt like telling him, "NO SHIT I can order it online but I want the disc now, that's why I came into your freakin' store.  But, I didn't. I just smiled and thanked him and then exited the store in a polite and orderly fashion.  I had a similar experience in Target.  "Damn it, what's wrong with these freakin' chain stores??  Anyways, I went on line and ordered it through Amazon and paid the rip-off, expedient shipping fee.  Now I'm waiting.  As I wait for the delivery, I'm wondering if any of my readers out there have experienced the Blu-ray??  If so, I'd absolutely love to hear your thoughts on it.  Do tell.  It'll give me something to think about rather than spend my time wondering, "Gee,when does the mail get here?"

The back cover of the Blu-ray edition.

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THE CARS: '56 T-BIRD

When Suzanne Somers first got the part in Graffiti, George Lucas remarked, that everyone would always remember the girl in the Thunderbird. And, he was right.  For many, almost as memorable as the girl is the car she was driving: "A white T-bird, ya understand?"

The story of the famous movie car dates back 8 years before production began. Owners Clay and May Daily originally bought the Thunderbird convertible in 1964 from a used car dealership in San Bernardino, CA.  They paid $1,000 for the used car, (A new one in '56 retailed for about $3,100). At the time of purchase the car's stock white color had been re-painted Fiesta red. When the Daily's moved north to Petaluma, CA, the car was hit from behind.  When the car was repaired the Daily's had it re-painted to its original color, white.

May would often drive the car to the Sears store in downtown Petaluma where she worked.  It was there that Graffiti Transportation Manager, Henry Travers, first spotted the car.  Clay remembers,  "When May left for home there was a piece of a brown paper bag under the wiper.  On the bag was a note asking if we would like to have the car in a movie."

The Continental kit was standard design for the '56.

She thought it was a joke and almost tossed the paper.  She decided to bring it home and when Clay read it he also thought it was a joke as it was signed and said to call Lucas Films.  "We had never heard of Lucas Films, but decided to call," he recalls.  To their surprise, it turned out to be Transportation Manager, Henry Tavers who explained they really wanted to use the car.   So, the Dalys agreed to rent out their T-bird for filming. An agreement was signed stating they would be paid a one-time price of $25.00 a night for about 6 nights of filming, and an additional $75.00 for the day shot.

The Dailys added an AM/FM radio & a CB radio

 Although the original shooting script for Graffiti refers to a blonde in the yellow T-bird, the Dailys were not asked to repaint their precious ride yellow to match the script.  And, good thing too, because in the film, the white color of the car serendipitously adds to the ghost-like mystery of the T-Bird and it's beautiful blonde driver.

During production of the film, when the car was needed, Transportation Manager, Henry Travers would pick up the car at the Daily's home in the early evening and take it downtown for filming.  Because the owners used the car as transportation to work, Travers made sure the car was returned promptly each morning by 6:00 AM.

Ms. Somers would run the battery down by leaving the lights on and the radio playing between shots.

At the time Mr. Daily was working in San Francisco as a manager in the New Technologies Dept. for Pacific Bell. Because of his early morning commute, he and his wife rarely stayed up late enough to witness the filming downtown. He does remember witnessing the filming of the scene where Richard jumps out of the VW when he sees the T-Bird and he runs up the street. On that night May briefly spoke to Ms. Somers to ask her how the car was handling.  Clay never did speak with the actress.  During interviews in the past, Ms. Somers has mistakenly claimed that during filming the car owner made her nervous because he was always close by, polishing the car, and telling her to be careful.  However the "nervous car owner" was not Clay Daily but in fact Henry Travers who was making sure the car was being handled properly and taken care of.  Clay recalls that he was never overly concerned about the welfare of his car and that Mr. Travers took very good care of it.  In fact, a couple of times he had to jump start it before he brought it back to Daily's because the actress would leave the lights on and the radio playing between shots and run the battery down.

The porthole window was a standard feature on the '56 T-bird.

This eye-pleasing classic has remained relatively golden since it was first built however there have been several repairs and modifications made by the owners.  The original Long Block 312 was replaced around 85,000 miles. The stock Holley "teapot" 4-barrel carb. has been

 replaced with the more modern 650 Holley carb.  The original "Ford-O-Matic" automatic 3-speed transmission has been rebuilt.  Other upkeep and modifications include a 4-row radiator, a 7-blade flex fan, air shocks and an alternator, as well as an AM-FM radio and a CB radio.

For every famous movie car there are many impostors.  Mr. Daily states that the most outlandish claim came to his attention in 2006 when he was e-mailed by another T-Bird owner. "He sent me a picture of a White 1955 Bird at a car show in NJ that had a very official document in a frame that said it was the one used in the movie and driven by Susanne.  The document was even signed and verified by someone who said he was a manager working for Universal Studios," said Daily.

 After owning and taking care of the white beauty for 50yrs the Dailys finally decided it was time to sell the car. Its proud new owner became Petaluma resident, Jerry Causbrook who bid against a museum and a major restaurant chain. Causbrook is also the owner of a 1967 Citroen 2CV supposedly driven by Richard Drefuss' character in the movie. It was rumored that for a brief time he was the only person in the world to own two original American Graffiti vehicles.  This did not last for long. In Aug 2019 the car was put up for auction and sold. 

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~ FINI ~

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 NOTES: 

• Daily, May and Clay. (July 16 and 17, 2010) E-mail correspondence.  

• Mecum Auctions. 1956 Ford Thunderbird.  https://www.mecum.com/lots/CA0819-388418/1956-ford-thunderbird/.  Retrieved 9/5/2019

• Take Your Pic in Famous White T Bird at Tribute to American Graffiti Party at Buffalo Billiards Sunday, Nov 9th 3 to 7 pm. (11/07/2014).Southern Sonoma Country Life.  http://www.southernsonomacountrylife.com/blogs/2014/11/take-your-pic-in-famous-white-t-bird-at-tribute-to-american-graffiti-party-at-buffalo-billiards-sund.html

THE UNTOUCHABLES (1987)

Oscar Wallace (Charles Martin Smith) is an accountant who joins Eliot Ness' crime-fighting team.

The Untouchables is an outstanding 1987 gangster film directed by Brian De Palma and has the distinction of featuring several American Graffiti alumni.  The film stars Robert De Niro, Kevin Conner, Sean Connery and the actor who played "Terry the Toad" in Graffiti, Charles Martin Smith.  He plays the accountant Oscar Wallace who is assigned to the crime fighting team whose sole purpose is to take down gangster, Al Capone and bring him to justice during the Prohibition era.  John Bracci who played the gas station attendant in Graffiti  is credited as Fat Man in this fine film.  Another alumni, Del Close was the man at the bar in Graffiti who utters "He must not have been used to drinking," when Toad was on all fours puking and sick as a dog named "Ginger."  Here he plays the creepy, Alderman.

The team is played by the actors (left to right) Charles Martin Smith, Kevin Costner, Sean Connery, & Andy Garcia

In Graffiti the legendary Del Close was credited as "Man at bar."

Del Close has an excellent part in The Untouchables as the slimy Alderman

Alderman attempts to bribe Eliot Ness.

Remember John Bracci who played the gas station attendant in Graffiti?

 John Bracci plays one of Capone's dinner guests.

Capone, (DeNiro, who gained 30lbs for the role), is a gracious host one minute...

...and extremely hostile & lethal with a baseball bat the next. YIKES!!

Accountant, Oscar Wallace (Charles Martin Smith) points out to Elliot Ness (Kevin Costner) that Al Capone hasn't paid his income tax for 4 years thus, they can try him for tax evasion.

By the third act, Wallace grows a pair, picks up a gun and puts an end to Capone's Bull shit !

This autobiographical account of defeating gangster Al Capone is fun to watch.  The fact that it is based on actual events (although embellished) makes this 2-hour epic real and exciting.  There are some violent scenes, such as Al Capone unexpectedly taking a baseball bat to a dinner guest and beating his brains out. Violence such as this helps convey how horrible a gangster Al Capone really was. The film was a success when it was first released and it was nominated for 4 Academy Awards. Sean Connery won Best Actor in a Supporting Role.  If you like action crime dramas you'll love The Untouchables.

Que Pasa? Dates & Details

PETALUMA'S ANNUAL SALUTE 

TO AMERICAN GRAFFITI, 2011 - May 19, 20, 21

Click pic to ride with the spirit of Wolfman Jack to Petaluma's Salute to American Graffiti.

As most of us die-hard fans know, American Graffiti was filmed at various locations in Northern California and a majority of the scenes in the fantastic movie were filmed in Petaluma in June and July, 1972.  To many Graffiti fans the town is almost like a Mecca. The town has proudly worn this distinction and as a result the local folks created an event to honor its movie roots.  The annual celebration of the film, aptly called, Petaluma’s Salute to American Graffiti, takes place downtown on the streets where George Lucas' classic was filmed.  The event features displays of American cars, lots of crusin' and oldies rock ‘n roll provided by live bands. It is a non-profit event and all proceeds benefit Petaluma's community projects; schools; and other community programs that focus on the arts, history, safety and welfare of Petaluma.  Very cool & lots of fun.  I hope to see some of you there!

SPEAKING WITH THE REAL KIP PULLMAN: A CONVERSATION WITH ED GREENBERG

Ed Greenberg as Kip Pullman

One of the best scenes in American Graffiti is the brief interaction between the characters Curt Henderson and Kip Pullman.   Curt is being driven around by Bobbie and when she spots Kip she asks to be introduced.  Curt yells out, "Just wanted to let you know that Bobbie here is hopelessly in love with you and trembles at the sight of your rippling biceps."  Kip responds by looking forward, closing his eyes, and nodding his head. It is a take that is priceless.  Bobbie, completely embarrassed and angry, stops abruptly at the curb and starts flailing Curt with her purse as she screams, "Get out I hate you!"

Kip Pullman was played by actor Ed Greenberg.  A U.C. Berkeley graduate, Greenberg began his acting career in San Francisco’s famed improvisational comedy troupe “The Committee." It was during that time that he was hired to be in Graffiti.  [For more on THE COMMITTEE see our CASTING GRAFFITI article].  Since those early days he has worked constantly as an improvisational theater and television comedy director, as well as a voice over actor and acting teacher.

In the early part of June 2007 I had the pleasure of talking with Ed about his role in American Graffiti.  He was very kind and thoughtful and a pleasure to speak with.  The following is a transcription of our phone conversation.

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Q:  At the time AMERICAN GRAFFITI was made you were in a San Francisco improvisational theatre group called THE COMMITTEE.  What can you tell me about the improvisational group and their involvement in the film?

EG: When casting director, Fred Roos was looking for players to be in the film he had seen me and thought I would be good in the film.  THE COMMITTEE was the go-to group for any movies that were shot in Northern California.  We wound up performing in a lot of local films.  For instance, members of the group had parts in BILLY JACK [1971], where I played a "free-school" teacher.  We were also in films such as Clint Eastwood's DIRTY HARRY [1971], and Alan Myerson's STEELYARD BLUES [1973].

Q: How many members of THE COMMITTEE were in GRAFFITI?

EG: About five, I think.  Lets see, Del Close [Guy at Bar], Scott Beach [Mr. Gordon], Jim Cranna [Liquor Store Thief], John Brent [Car Salesman], and myself. 

Greenberg improvises a hold-up scene in the park in BILLY JACK, 1971

Q: Anyone else?

EG: Well, there were experimental splinter groups which came out of THE COMMITTEE workshop. One was called THE EXPERIMENTAL WING. Joe Spano [Vic] was in that group.  And, Chris Pray [Al] was in another San Francisco improv group called, THE PITCHELL PLAYERS.

Q: Although you were living in San Francisco at the time, weren’t you also working in Los Angeles?

EG: Yes.  I was doing a lot of voice-overs and I worked on some films in LA.  I was working with an agency there.

Q: So, when you got the part of Kip Pullman and arrived on location, what was your overall impression of the scene you were filming?

A stocking cap covered Ed's long hair.

EG: Well, it was rather isolated.  George Lucas and crew spent a lot of time setting up the shot. Anybody who's worked on films knows this is typical. Setting up the shot took much longer than it did to actually film the scene I was in.  It isn't easy lighting up the cars and the interiors at night, so it took some time to get everything right.

Q: Did you rehearse much with Richard Dreyfuss?

EG: Yes. While the crew was setting up the shot, Richard and I had a lot of time to improvise together as our characters, "Kip" and "Curt". We'd say things like, WHAT ARE YOU DOIN'  DRIVING AROUND WITH THOSE TWO GIRLS?  Or, HAVENT YOU GOT A JOB YET? And just have fun.  By the time we actually shot the scene we were like we really were high school buddies.

Q: How much time did you spend on location?

EG: Just one night.

EG: In the film, you have what appears to be an early-60s surfer boy haircut.  Was your hair normally like that?

Q: No.  Actually my hair was shoulder length so we tied my hair up and put it into a navy sock cap.  So, I suppose it gave the illusion of short hair in back and long in front.

Q: Do you remember anything about the guy who was driving the car you were in?

EG: I kind of remember the cars being driven by their owners, but I don’t really remember specifically the guy who drove the car I was in.

Q: What about actress Lynne Marie Stewart who drove the VW Bug that Dreyfuss was in?

EG: Well, I was getting to know Lynne who was a young comedy actress out of LA.  I knew she and Cindy Williams were really good friends.  Since the film was released, I see Lynne about once every decade and we always refer to each other as MY LOVE INTEREST, [laughs].  Its our little joke.

Curt (Richard Dreyfuss) & the girl with a crush on Kip, Bobbie, (Lynne Marie Stewart).

Q: At the time you filmed your part did you think American Graffiti would be so popular?

EG: I knew it would be big, but I had no idea it would be that

Q: How has the film impacted your career/ life?

Ed Greenberg in Rwanda with improv students, Feb. 2007

EG: First of all, 30 yrs later some guy called me up and started asking me all these questions [laughs].  Seriously, with all the things I’ve done to this day, the fact that I was in such an iconic movie is a really cool thing. Once in a while, people will come up to me a start reciting lines from the scene I’m in.

Q: So, what are you doing these days?

EG: Well, I recently went to Rwanda as a state department cultural envoy to train an acting company.  The training was for entertainment but also to give them improvisational theater game skills that can positively affect the lives of their fellow citizens. I really enjoyed it. We call the organization LAUGHTER FOR A CHANGE.   The work I did in Rwanda crystallized my focus to expand upon the power of improvisational theater as a tool for social change in a global setting. I like the experience of knowing that comedy and laughter can change people's lives in a positive way. 

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NOTES:

Photo: Ed Greenberg in Rwanada with improv students.  Feb. 18, 2007.  Laughter for a Change's photos posted on the web. http://www.flickr.com/photos/27006890@N05/2656324333/.  Retrieved: 4/7/2011.