American Graffiti - Francis Ford Coppola & George Lucas - Lot 823

American Graffiti - Francis Ford Coppola & George Lucas (His second film, which would be a huge success) The film's budget was approximately $777,000. It grossed $115 million in the United States, including $21.3 million in its first year of release (1974). The film drew 1,248,919 admissions in France. In 1973, for his second film, George Lucas turned to the largely autobiographical comedy-drama American Graffiti, in which he portrays American youth in the early 1960s. Having lived through that era, the film perfectly reflects his vision: cruising around town in cars, car races, the emergence of alternative rock 'n' roll, Wolfman Jack’s radio show... On the surface a sketch comedy, American Graffiti is paradoxically a rather sad film, expressing nostalgia for a bygone golden age that still resonates with today’s audience. America confident in itself and its “carefree youth” before the assassination of President Kennedy, the Vietnam War, and the years of the counterculture. Lucas had, shortly before, directed THX 1138, depicting not the golden age from which we came, but a terrifying world toward which we were heading. A reference to this is present in the film, with the license plate on John Milner’s car: “THX 138.” The soundtrack uses the radio as a central theme, playing American hits of the era and featuring commentary by the host, Wolfman Jack, who plays himself in the film. The film was a huge hit in the United States and served as the basis for the hit TV series Happy Days. The opening credits of both the film and the series feature the same song: Bill Haley’s “Rock Around the Clock.” A whole collection of American cars from the 1950s and 1960s had to be sourced to recreate the right atmosphere. To keep an eye on their cars, some anxious owners stayed to watch the filming, which took place at night. The main character, Curt Henderson, drives a Citroën 2CV, which is an anachronism for the year 1962, when the film’s action takes place. In fact, the 2CV used is a 1967 model; equipped with front doors that open the right way, a third side window on the rear quarter panels (above the rear wheels), and a three-slat grille; this version would not be produced until after September 1965. The film was shot in Techniscope because CinemaScope was too expensive. Techniscope uses 35 mm film but half the width of CinemaScope. It provides a panoramic effect similar to CinemaScope but with lower quality, giving the film the documentary-style look Lucas desired. The use of Techniscope caused lighting problems during night shoots. The characters are inspired by the director’s past, the person he was as a child, and his friends. In this film, we see Harrison Ford in the role of Bob Falfa. After playing numerous small roles in films and television series, he had become a carpenter to support his family (he had two sons). He met George Lucas, then still unknown, while working on building storage units in the director’s home. Lucas offered him the role of Falfa in American Graffiti. For the part, he was required to cut his hair in the style of young men of the time, which he refused to do. He then suggested to Lucas that his character wear a Stetson to hide his hairstyle. Thus began the actor’s film career. Following the success of Star Wars at the box office, American Graffiti was re-released in theaters with three new scenes: Terry arrives at the entrance of a garage with Steve’s car, where a salesman insists on buying it from him; While the young people dance to "Louie Louie" at the dance, Steve and Laurie continue to waltz. The principal catches them and scolds them for being undisciplined. Steve replies, "Hey, Kroot! Go screw yourself!"; While driving his Chevrolet with Laurie as a passenger, Bob Falfa sings a tune from the 1958 film *South Pacific* in broken French. The film would have a sequel, *American Graffiti: The Sequel* (*More American Graffiti*), directed by Bill L. Norton in 1979. Lalande - Courbet Wissous Vintage Poster on Linen T.B.E. A + AIR France KLM TRAVEL POSTER 80 x 60 Printed circa 1960