In recent years, Planes, Trains and Automobiles has become a holiday favorite of mine. While doing some research about the film, I came across this fact from the Associated Press around the filming of the movie. From this and other research, it sounds like they had a lot of trouble finding snow for the snow scenes. They chased filming locations from Chicago to Buffalo. When they finally got snow, they got too much of it. I can't imagine what it was like for the crew, John Candy and Steve Martin during these scenes. Happy Thanksgiving everybody!
This week we're pop'n a pop quiz on ya! Very simple, just match up the wheel and the tv/movie car it goes with. Send your friends and see who can match the quickest.
November 2023 is going to be an interesting month to watch car movies on streaming! Using an awesome post over at ComicBook.com, we were able to filter it down to great films that feature classic iconic cars or car chases. A little bit of something for everyone! Especially if you're a The Fast and The Furious fan. Some of these may not be just pure car movies. But you will see some awesome cars in all of these movies. For example Catch Me If You Can, may not be a car flick, but it has some great classics in it. So if you're looking for something new, here ya' go!
How many Saturday movies did you spend as a kid watching cartoons? I know this blogger sure did. I got thinking back to the sugary cereal fueled, care free mornings spent in front of the tube. Ah the good ole days. Then it hit me. A vision. A vision of this post. Alright enough paraphrasing Back to the Future. But I did have a vision. I was thinking back to all of the cartoon versions of famous live action tv and movie cars. There were a number of them! In this post we're going to look at few mash ups of famous cartoon cars and their live action counter parts. We spared some details, for future posts. But here's a taste of each.
After the success of the third Back to the Future film, dream team Zemeckis and Gale created the cartoon series. The series aired on Saturday mornings for two seasons in the early 90's. The series focuses on the Brown family. Who recently moved back to present, making a home on a farm just outside Hill Valley. In this timeline, the Delorean has been rebuilt. Remember it was destroyed at the end of the third film. Not only is it back but with some additional features. Including voice-activated time circuits. If you look closely in the show's intro, you can spot a barefoot surfer gas pedal. The time display panel is much more steampunky in the show. Which makes sense, given Doc's experience with steam powered time travel.
The Real Ghostbusters was the follow up to the blockbuster hit Ghostbusters. Running for over 7 seasons, the cartoon picks up where the first film leaves off. Sticking to the formula of the films, the Ghostbusters ride around in ECTO 1 as well. As with Back to The Future, the details are slightly changed. The car is much more simplified and appears much cleaner than in the films. But not without it's share of unique features. It's believed that this version of ECTO 1, inspired the "Gunner Seat" later in Ghostbusters: Afterlife. ECTO 1 wasn't the only ghostbusting vehicle used in the series. A number of specialty vehicles were used through out the show. Which also sparked an entire lines of Real Ghostbusters toys from Kenner.
Similar to that of Back to the Future, the Saturday morning special: The Dukes ran for only two seasons. From February to October of 1983, kids were treated to their own cartoon version of The Dukes of Hazzard. Hanna-Barbera put their spin on the live action car jumping show we all grew to love. But what about the General Lee? Well as you can tell, they did a pretty good job of recreating the iconic car in cartoon form. You can tell it's a 1969 Dodge Charger for sure! In fact, I would go as far as to say, it might be the closest representation of a live action car in this post. Except for the fact the car has gadgets. Yes! The General Lee got a handful of gadgets installed. Such as over-inflatable tires for softer landings. Special shocks that raise the body up for more ground clearance. That's the beauty of cartoons is being able to stretch the laws of physics and imaginations of the viewers. Over all the show reminds me of a mix of Scobby Doo, Knight Rider and Speed Buggy. Kinda neat huh?
That's all for now. But be sure to stay glued to the tube as we bring you more: On Screen Cars.
Just about every good car movie has a jump scene. We here at On Screen Cars are big fans of car acrobatics. Through our series Famous Jumps, we explore some of the best of vehicles going airborne. This week we commemorate another fine display of automotive volley. The bridge jump scene from the first Smokey and the Bandit movie. You know the one! But in case you're unsure or haven't seen it. Warning spoilers ahead.
The Scene
The scene takes place toward the middle of the movie. While traveling through Arkansas, Bandit runs up on a roadblock setup by the local county sheriff's department. Bandit quickly diverts down a dirt road and the officers jump in their cars and chase after him. Sheriff Branford and his associate lead the chase. The young deputy is excited to say the least. Branford confidently tells the deputy not to worry too much about losing him. Because they're approaching the recently dismantled Mulberry Bridge at the end of the road. They think they have the Bandit right in their grip. There's no escape! But little to their surprise the Bandit doesn't go down easy. The Bandit and Frog leap through the air, clearing the bridge. Frog cheers and can't believe they've made it. Now she's on cloud nine with her Bo, wanting to jump more stuff.
The Jump
It's unclear how long the jump is. But legendary stunt man Hal Needham setup the shot and made Bandit look so good. If you pay close attention you can see sand or red dirt flying through the air. Even as soft was the red dirt may have been I'm sure the stunt driver was rattled and the stunt car never drove again. In an interview with Motor Trend, Hal talks about how they used a special modified Trans Am for this scene. Hal asked his NASCAR race team to send him a 750+ horsepower motor and stick shift version of the SE Trans Am. As you may have noticed the car lands level. Chances are additional weight (often concrete) must have been added to the rear. Between all that and a well built ramp, Hal's team got the money shot we've all grown know and love.
Filming Location
I would like to sperate the fact from the fiction. According to the scene in the movie, they're in Arkansas. However the scene was actually shot in Jonesboro, Georgia. For those interested, the address is 365 Flint River Road, Jonesboro, GA 30238. This will take you a bridge over the Flint River that may have replaced the bridge jumped in the film. Several YouTubers have made videos about visiting the site. Only a few pillars of the bridge remain. But with a bit of imagination you can piece it together. Near the landing site, appears now be a storage center. Amazing how things change and develop. The road in the film was much wider and seemed longer. Nature sure has taken back the road less traveled. Speaking of the road less traveled, it's time for us to hit the dusty trail. Till then, keep your wheels spinning and your beavers grinning. Whatever that means. *wink*
