American Graffiti

American Graffiti is a 1973 film directed by George Lucas. It tells the story of a group of small-town middle-class American California teenagers on the last night of summer. It is set in 1962 against the backdrop of commentary and music created by disc jockey Wolfman Jack. The commentary is from his U.S. broadcasting studio that is linked to the transmitter of border-blaster XERB in Mexico.

Production

Stars

American Graffiti starred Richard Dreyfuss (Curt Henderson), Ron Howard (Steve Bolander), Paul Le Mat (John Milner), Charles Martin Smith (Terry Fields), Candy Clark, Cindy Williams, Mackenzie Phillips and Harrison Ford. It also featured the first major public appearance by disc jockey Wolfman Jack. Suzanne Somers had a small but notable part as a blonde in the Ford Thunderbird.

Related Topics:
Richard Dreyfuss - Ron Howard - Paul Le Mat - Charles Martin Smith - Candy Clark - Cindy Williams - Mackenzie Phillips - Harrison Ford - Wolfman Jack - Suzanne Somers - Ford Thunderbird

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Script and location

The script was written by George Lucas, Gloria Katz and Willard Huyck.

Related Topics:
Gloria Katz - Willard Huyck

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Although the movie was based upon the memories of George Lucas regarding his teenage years in Modesto, California, it was shot on location around San Rafael and Petaluma in the Bay Area of Northern California. The low-budget movie was mostly shot during night in less than a month.

Related Topics:
Modesto - San Rafael - Petaluma - Bay Area - Northern California

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Musical accuracy

The movie gained some of its popularity through its accurate reflection of period music. The depiction of Wolfman Jack broadcasting live from a local studio in California via a transmitter in Mexico is not accurate. This is because provisions of the Brinkley Act forbade cross-border broadcasting. However, Wolfman Jack did broadcast from XERB, but not in the manner shown in the picture.

Related Topics:
Brinkley Act - XERB

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