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What is the movie American Graffiti about?
Through a series of vignettes, the film tells the story of a group of teenagers and their adventures over the course of a night. While Lucas was working on his first film, THX 1138, Coppola asked him to write a coming-of-age film. The genesis of American Graffiti took place in Modesto in the early 1960s, during Lucas' teenage years.
How hard was it to make American Graffiti?
Making American Graffiti, as George Lucas himself would tell you, was no easy task -- he didn't even really have a star to build the movie around, as Ron Howard was still best known as Opie from The Andy Griffith Show.
Is American Graffiti in the National Film Registry?
In 1995, American Graffiti was deemed culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant by the United States Library of Congress and selected for preservation in the National Film Registry. In 1997 the city of Modesto, California, honored Lucas with a statue dedication of American Graffiti at George Lucas Plaza.
Is there a sequel to more American Graffiti?
A sequel, More American Graffiti, was released in 1979. On their last evening of summer vacation in 1962, high school graduates and friends Curt Henderson and Steve Bolander meet two other friends, John Milner, the drag-racing king, and Terry "The Toad" Fields, in the parking lot of Mel's Drive-In in Modesto, California.
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Is American Graffiti historically accurate?
The style of the film is realistic whereas the film itself is not. Lucas says, "The actual film... is a myth. For instance, some friends of mine did that to a police car, but it didn't come off like that.
What happened to John Milner in American Graffiti?
In More American Graffiti, John Milner was revealed to have been killed by a drunk driver in December 1964 (reminiscent of the death of James Dean in 1955, though the accident involving Dean did not involve a drunk driver), with the ending scene of the movie driving his trademark yellow Deuce at night along a lonely ...
Did George Lucas create American Graffiti?
American Graffiti is a 1973 American coming-of-age comedy-drama film directed by George Lucas, produced by Francis Ford Coppola, written by Willard Huyck, Gloria Katz and Lucas, and starring Richard Dreyfuss, Ron Howard (billed as Ronny Howard), Paul Le Mat, Harrison Ford, Charles Martin Smith, Cindy Williams, Candy ...
What happened to the cars from American Graffiti?
The film's transportation manager Henry Travers sold the cars cheaply after production wrapped and both the black '55 Chevy and yellow '32 Deuce Coupe were bought by Steve Fitch of Kansas City. Figari bought the '32 in 1985, finding the piston gearshifter and THX 1138 license plate in the trunk.
What happened to the 55 Chevy from American Graffiti?
After filming on American Graffiti was finished, the inventory of studio-owned cars was assigned to Travers for disposal. He removed the drive train and front sheet metal from the stunt car and sold the remains to a California stock car racer who was interested in the battered car since it had a full roll cage.
Where is the yellow deuce coupe from American Graffiti?
Petaluma's Salute To American Graffiti. Rick Figari of San Francisco has owned John Milner's (Paul LeMat) yellow Deuce Coupe since the mid-1980s and he also has a black '55 Chevy's built for Graffiti and styled after 1971's Two Lane Blacktop.
Was George Lucas a hippie?
He was given medical release from what Lucas called the Vietnam “butcher's block.” Although he was a bit of a hippy in the 1960s, Lucas didn't smoke, take drugs, or, because of his diabetes, drink or eat sweets.
How did Ron Howard get rich?
Ron Howard is an American actor, director, and producer who has a net worth of $200 million. He first rose to fame as a child star in the sitcom "The Andy Griffith Show", and went on to have a very successful acting and directing career as an adult.
Why was George Lucas kicked out of the Directors Guild?
It wasn't a problem for A New Hope. However, when he did that for The Empire Strikes Back, the directors guild fined him a quarter of a million dollars ($250,000) and tried to remove it from theaters. Lucas paid the fine and left the directors guild, writers guild and the motion picture association.
How much is a 32 Ford Coupe worth?
Evidence of that is as clear and direct as the value NADA Guides lists for a '32 Ford Coupe today. The car that sold new for $485 in 1932 now commands a retail price as high as $54,000, which turns the term "retained value" on its head.
Who owns the 58 Impala from American Graffiti?
Mike and Sandra Famalette, from Washington state, were the owners of the '58 Chevrolet Impala (Steve Bolander's car) from the movie.
How much did George Lucas make from American Graffiti?
After the massive success of American Graffiti, Lucas was in the best possible position to negotiate for his next film. He earned $150,000 for directing American Graffiti and his managers encouraged him to ask for a huge salary bump.
Who drove the Thunderbird in American Graffiti?
She's his goddess and, as he puts it, “Someone roaming the streets wants me!” Documented with a framed letter of thanks from Universal Studios addressed to its second owner, this is the Thunderbird Suzanne Somers drove in “American Graffiti.” The T-Bird remained in the care of its second owner from 1964-2014, and it's ...
What happens at the end of American Graffiti?
The night unfolds with drag races, chasing a mysterious blonde in a Thunderbird, and listening to DJ Wolfman Jack on the radio. Lucas' ending sees Curt and Steve's roles reversed: Steve promises to stay with Laurie after witnessing John and Bob's explosive drag race, and Curt bids goodbye to his parents and friends.
What happens to Kurt in American Graffiti?
Curt leaves on a plane the next day, and end titles tell the fates of the characters: Milner is killed by a drunk driver, Terry is reported missing in action in Vietnam, Steve becomes an insurance agent in Modesto, and Curt becomes a writer.
Who was the girl in the Thunderbird in American Graffiti?
Suzanne SomersAmerican Graffiti (1973) - Suzanne Somers as Blonde in T-Bird - IMDb.
What year was American Graffiti?
Not to be confused with graffiti in the United States. American Graffiti is a 1973 American coming-of-age comedy film directed by George Lucas, produced by Francis Ford Coppola, written by Willard Huyck, Gloria Katz and Lucas, and starring Richard Dreyfuss, Ron Howard, Paul Le Mat, Harrison Ford, Charles Martin Smith, Cindy Williams, Candy Clark, ...
Where did American Graffiti take place?
The genesis of American Graffiti took place in Modesto in the early 1960s, during Lucas' teenage years. He was unsuccessful in pitching the concept to financiers and distributors, but found favor at Universal Pictures after every other major film studio turned him down.
How much did American Graffiti make in the 1990s?
By the 1990s, American Graffiti had earned more than $200 million (equivalent to $396 million in 2020) in box-office gross and home video sales.
How much money did American Graffiti make?
Produced on a $777,000 budget, it has become one of the most profitable films ever. Since its initial release, American Graffiti has earned an estimated return well over $200 million in box-office gross and home video sales, not including merchandising.
What was the movie called after Lucas abandoned it?
United Artists. After Warner Bros. abandoned Lucas's early version of Apocalypse Now (during the post-production of THX 1138 ), the filmmaker decided to continue developing Another Quiet Night in Modesto, eventually changing its title to American Graffiti.
How long was the first cut of American Graffiti?
The first cut of American Graffiti was three and a half hours long, and to whittle the film down to a more manageable two hours, many scenes had to be cut, shortened, or combined. As a result, the film's structure became increasingly loose and no longer adhered to Lucas's original "ABCD" presentation.
How many songs are in the soundtrack of American Graffiti?
A soundtrack album for the film, 41 Original Hits from the Soundtrack of American Graffiti, was issued by MCA Records. The album contains all the songs used in the film (with the exception of "Gee" by the Crows, which was subsequently included on a second soundtrack album), presented in the order in which they appeared in the film.
Where was American Graffiti set?
The movie featured numerous big-name actors like Richard Dreyfuss, Ron Howard, Harrison Ford, Cindy Williams and Bo Hopkins. Set in Modesto, California, the story follows the rock n' roll scene that was reminiscent of Lucas' friend group in real life. The production of American Graffiti was a mirror of Lucas' teenage years.
When was Graffiti made?
Produced in the 70s, the American Graffiti film had a collection of classic cars and most of them are slowly deteriorating over decades of inactivity.
What cars were used in American Graffiti?
The production of American Graffiti was a mirror of Lucas' teenage years. In the film, various cars were used like the police car, a 1932 Ford Deuce Coupe hot rod, 1955 Chevrolet, and other infamous vehicles that are recognizable today. Find out some little known facts and truths behind these cars, just like Harrison Ford's 1955 Chevy 210.
What was the American Graffiti movie about?
American Graffiti. Before he made Star Wars, then ruined Star Wars, then saved Star Wars by selling it to Disney, George Lucas made another iconic film that has served as a cultural touchstone. American Graffiti, released 45 years ago today, was a nostalgic, semi-autobiographical look at the American teenager circa 1962, ...
How much did American Graffiti make?
The film was a massive hit, earning $55 million in 1973 and another $63 million when it was re-released in 1978—a total of some $500 million at today's ticket prices.
How much did the Universal Pictures budget for the Godfather?
When Coppola came onboard as a producer shortly after the release of The Godfather, Universal gave Lucas another $175,000.
Why did Universal offer a flat rate for Elvis?
The reason, of course, is money. To mitigate the cost of licensing so many songs, Universal offered a flat rate to all of the labels involved. Everyone went along with it except for RCA, which meant no Elvis. The kids in American Graffiti are therefore probably the only teenagers in America who could listen to the radio all night in 1962 and never hear an Elvis song.
Where was the radio DJ in American Graffiti?
The radio DJ with the distinctive voice was part of Lucas' teenage years in Modesto, California, and Lucas even considered making a documentary about him when he was a student at USC's film school. When American Graffiti made him a millionaire, Lucas paid the Wolfman a little extra for serving as the film's "inspiration."
Where was the movie Modesto filmed?
Lucas and company planned to shoot the film in San Rafael, California, as the real setting—Modesto—had changed too much since 1962. But after just one day in San Rafael, the city council gave them the boot. Not only had a member of the crew been arrested for growing marijuana, but the first night of filming and its accompanying street closures had drawn complaints from local businesses. The production moved 20 miles north to Petaluma, where things ran a bit more smoothly (at least in terms of interactions with the locals).
Did Universal change American Graffiti?
Universal executives didn't know what American Graffiti meant as a title (the y weren't alone), and begged Lucas to change it. They furnished a list of 60 alternates, including Rock Around the Block (Coppola's suggestion) and Another Slow Night in Modesto (which was close to Lucas' original working title, Another Quiet Night in Modesto ). Lucas wouldn't budge.
Where was the movie Salute to American Graffiti filmed?
Although set in George Lucas’s hometown of Modesto, California, the film was shot largely Petaluma, California. Petaluma hosts an annual Salute to American Graffiti. 11. The entire movie takes place over one night, and filming was done between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m.
What is the most car-saturated movie?
American Graffiti, the surprise summer blockbuster that ignited the career of filmmaker George Lucas (director and co-screenwriter), is one of the most car-saturated movies that is not explicitly about cars. Set in Modesto, California, at the tail end of summer 1962, it follows the exploits of a quartet of recent high-school grads: college-bound Curt Henderson (Richard Dreyfuss), class president Steve Bolander (Ron Howard), the nerdy Terry the Toad (Charles Martin Smith), and drag-racer John Milner (Paul Le Mat). The action takes place on a single night against a backdrop of endless cruising. Lucas made the movie in 1972, and it was highly autobiographical. In an interview in The New York Times, Lucas said of the film:
Is American Graffiti on HBO?
American Graffiti is newly available on HBO's streaming services this month, so we figured it was worth another pass down the main drag. Here are some lesser-known facts to know about it, in case you settle in for a rewatch or a first watch — it's highly recommended if you haven’t seen it before.
Was there a sequel to More American Graffiti?
There was a 1979 sequel, More American Graffiti, that checked in with the crew in the mid 1960s, but it lacked the cruising theme (although the Milner character had become a drag racer). The sequel was a critical failure and a box-office flop. Continue Reading.
Overview
Legacy
Internet reviewer MaryAnn Johanson acknowledged that American Graffiti rekindled public and entertainment interest in the 1950s and early 1960s, and influenced other films such as The Lords of Flatbush (1974) and Cooley High (1975) and the TV series Happy Days. Alongside other films from the New Hollywood era, American Graffiti is often cited for helping give birth to the summer blockbuster. The film's box-office success made George Lucas an instant millionaire. He gave a…
Plot
On their last evening of summer vacation in 1962, high school graduates and friends Curt Henderson and Steve Bolander meet two other friends, John Milner, the drag-racing king, and Terry "The Toad" Fields, in the parking lot of Mel's Drive-In in Modesto, California. Curt and Steve are to travel "Back East" the following morning to start college. Curt has second thoughts about leaving Modesto. Steve gives Terry his car to care for until he returns. Laurie, Steve's girlfriend a…
Cast
• Richard Dreyfuss as Curt Henderson
• Ron Howard as Steve Bolander (Credited as Ronny Howard)
• Paul Le Mat as John Milner
• Charles Martin Smith as Terry "The Toad" Fields
Development
During the production of THX 1138 (1971), producer Francis Ford Coppola challenged co-writer/director George Lucas to write a script that would appeal to mainstream audiences. Lucas embraced the idea, using his early 1960s teenage experiences cruising in Modesto, California. "Cruising was gone, and I felt compelled to document the whole experience and what my generation used as a way of meeting girls," Lucas explained. As he developed the story in his mi…
Production
The film's lengthy casting process was overseen by Fred Roos, who worked with producer Francis Ford Coppola on The Godfather. Because American Graffiti's main cast was for younger actors, the casting call and notices went through numerous high-school drama groups and community theaters in the San Francisco Bay Area. Among the actors was Mark Hamill, the future Luke Skywalker in Lucas' Star Wars trilogy.
Soundtrack
The choice of music was crucial to the mood of each scene; it is diegetic music that the characters themselves can hear and therefore becomes an integral part of the action. George Lucas had to be realistic about the complexities of copyright clearances, though, and suggested a number of alternative tracks. Universal wanted Lucas and producer Gary Kurtz to hire an orchestra for sound-alikes. The studio eventually proposed a flat deal that offered every music publisher the same a…
Release
Despite unanimous praise at a January 1973 test screening attended by Universal executive Ned Tanen, the studio told Lucas they wanted to re-edit his original cut of American Graffiti. Producer Coppola sided with Lucas against Tanen and Universal, offering to "buy the film" from the studio and reimburse it for the $775,000 (equivalent to $5 million in 2021) it had cost to make it. 20th Century Fox and Paramount Pictures made similar offers to the studio. Universal refused these …