Before happy days burst forth onto the television screens and before the galaxycrossing capers of star wars there was american graffiti, george lucas 1973 coming of age tale set in modesto, california. Some of geoffs rare downtime was spent in petaluma, california where part of george lucas classic movie american graffiti was filmed. The last graffiti night in modesto,ca i went to was in 1989it was alot of fun. How to watch modesto, cas 2019 graffiti classic car. An enduring classic, american graffiti celebrates an america of the early 1960s, where teenagers cruise the streets in hot rods and rock and roll tops the music charts. American graffiti had that effect in a lot of places, like petaluma, where most of the film was actually made. American graffiti 1973 filming location 40th anniversary. See more ideas about american graffiti, graffiti, american.
Set in 1962 modesto, california, american graffiti is a study of the cruising and rock and roll cultures popular among the postworld war ii baby boom. Lucas attempt to let all those who were not around to know what it was like to be a teenager in the 1950s and early 1960s. It depicts multiple characters going through a coming of age, dealing with decisions to attend college or reside in a small town in the early 1960s. American graffiti and the sixties in the seventies. Ok, boomers, your american graffitiinspired museum is her. About the cruise route modesto historic graffiti cruise.
Graffiti summer modesto is the birthplace of george lucas and the inspiration for his popular classic film american graffiti released in 1962. This probably had less to do with modesto in 1962 real or imagined and more to do with hollywood even the new hollywood in 1973. Must see for american graffiti lovers great self guided tour,describing the crusing experience of the 60s. Inspired by his youth in the valley town of modesto, california, graffiti was george lucas second feature film, and is a masterwork of vibrant colors, exciting soundtracks, and endearing characters.
The original drivein that was a distinctive element in the film is, sadly, no longer standing. Here geoff visits the location where the films most. Now, according to the modesto bee, the town of modesto, californiawhere the film was set it was actually filmed in san rafael and petaluma because they had changed less in the interim decademay receive an american graffitiinspired museum, thanks. Modesto american graffiti festival 2021, a festival in. Find updates on the annual american graffiti car festival in modesto california. Modesto historic graffiti cruise route walk of fame 2019 inductees celebration june 5, 2019 6. After driving it during a short european holiday, the teacher shipped it to california, where its been ever since. While shot in petaluma, the film is more than just modesto in name only. Portions of american graffiti were filmed in berkeley, san francisco, san rafael, mill valley, sonoma, marin county, concord and pinole, however most of the memorable scenes were filmed here in petaluma, june august, 1972. The graffiti classic car parade put on by the north modesto kiwanis club returns at 6. You can mark the dates for the 2020 show which will be held on june 12, 14, 2020.
Home of american graffiti 901 10th st modesto ca 95354. The original mels diners home of american graffiti. With richard dreyfuss, ron howard, paul le mat, charles martin smith. The two towns used, which had barely changed since the sixties, were petaluma in. The movies action ostensibly takes place in modesto although it was filmed in santa rosa, ca. This is a list of historic places in modesto, california. Take in a baseball game at the john thurman field, and have family fun at boomers amusement park. Portions of american graffiti were filmed in berkeley, san francisco, san rafael, mill valley, sonoma, marin county, concord and pinole, however most of the. See more ideas about american graffiti, american and graffiti. North modesto kiwanis show dir north modesto kiwanis show dir. Photo by universal picturesgetty images the 1973 film american graffiti is george lucass love letter to the 1950s and his home town of modesto, california. In 1972, the original mels located at 140 south van ness in san francisco was selected as a feature location by filmmaker george lucas for his 1973 coming of age film american graffiti. Site of final drag race in american graffiti in petaluma. American graffiti is a 1973 american comingofage comedydrama film directed and cowritten by george lucas starring richard dreyfuss, ronny howard, paul le mat, harrison ford, charles martin smith, cindy williams, candy clark, mackenzie phillips, bo hopkins, and wolfman jack.
Mels drivein is featured in a scene from the film american graffiti. Although american graffitis large ensemble class includes a number of women, the films story is built entirely around its male characters, for whom the female characters essentially serve as ethical tokens of a sort. George lucas visits modesto for american graffiti parade. This musicthemed night on the town in 1962 lit a fire that created the nostalgia movement of the 1970s and 80s, leading to the resurgence of 50s music and hit tv series like happy days.
This academy award nominated classic, voted one of the american film institutes top 100 films of all time. This cancellation includes the popular car parade classic car cruise and the twoday show and festival that had been scheduled june 1214. A couple of high school grads spend one final night cruising the strip with their buddies before they go off to college. Seeing american graffiti through new eyes modesto bee. Its a common misconception that american graffiti was filmed in modesto, california, where mr.
The 1973 film american graffiti, starring ron howard, richard dreyfuss, and cindy williams, was set in 1962 modesto. Despite all this razzmatazz, modesto is not where the movie was filmed. American graffiti film location scenes part 1 youtube. American graffiti 1973 filming locations 25 mels drivein 140 south van ness ave. Modesto, california american graffiti festival and movie. Ron howard and cindy williams on the set of the film american graffiti, 1973. American graffiti is a 1973 coming of age film directed and cowritten by george lucas starring richard dreyfuss, ron howard, paul le mat, harrison ford, charles martin smith, cindy williams, candy clark, mackenzie phillips and wolfman jack. American graffiti 1973 filming location 40th anniversary on. Teenagers enjoyed music, hot rods, sweltering heat, and the new found freedom of summer. All the scenes in his great movie either happened here in modesto or were inspired by events in our city. It basically starts back from george lucas being from modesto, a downey high graduate, and the american graffiti movie, said burnside.
The 2019 american graffiti tm festival and car show was a great success. Set in modesto, california, in 1962, the film is a study of the cruising and early rock n roll cultures popular among lucass age group at the. Set in modesto, california in 1962, the film is a study of the cruising and. Home of american graffiti 901 10th st modesto, ca art. The north modesto kiwanis club thanks our sponsors, the show entrants, and the public for their support. A statue in downtown modesto commemorates the home town of star wars creator george lucas. George lucas 1973 film continues to resonate locally. Read information about the yearly events calendar, classic cars, remodeled trucks, venue, vendors, parade and more. Order online tickets tickets see availability directions. Although american graffiti is set in 1962 modesto, california, lucas believed the city had changed too much in 10 years and initially chose san. Before he was a director, lucas spent his nights drag racing through the streets of northern california, and his nostalgia for his youth is on display in. George lucas plaza honors the film american graffiti, filmed in modesto, with a bronze statue of george lucas. This academy awardnominated classic, voted one of the american film institutes top 100 films of all time, features the coming of age of four teenagers on their last summer night before college. Geoff visits location where american graffiti was filmed.
The festivities kick off the american graffiti festival saturday. The film was inspired by lucas own adolescent years cruising the strip in modesto, on highway 99 between stockton and fresno in central. The rocknrollsoundtracked film, following a group of friends throughout a single lifechanging night, assisted in propelling the careers of upandcoming actors including richard. Although the movie takes place in modesto, california, most of its scenes. Throughout the movie, there are allusions to city staples and nostalgic. American graffiti car parade and festival cancelled. After passing to a series of owners, it occasionally is exhibited, more or less in its original form, at american graffitirelated events, including a 2012 fair at petaluma, where the movie was filmed. Please plan to attend the show and visit modesto, the birthplace of american.
Graffiti in modesto american graffiti was released in 1973 with a great nostalgic look back at cars, music and teenage years, portraying an age of innocence in 1962. Dismissed as a disgraceand unreleasable by the suits who know the business, american graffiti not only grossed millions and spawned a wave of pale imitations, but earned a pair of oscar nominations for george lucas as both writer and director. About the cruise route american graffiti was the first big film from modesto native george lucas. The cast members were there,rick figari brought out the deuce coupe etc. Ok, boomers, your american graffitiinspired museum is. Just like the movie remember that movie with our young teens growing up with cars. When it comes to eateries, the name mels instantly strikes a familiar chord with anyone who is a fan of george lucass classic 1973 film, american graffiti. As far as the filming of the movie it started to be filmed in san rafael,ca and then moved north to petaluma. Outdoor activities await you at woodward reservoir regal park and modesto reservoir, both less than 30 minutes from the modesto hotel.
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