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-Manuel Paul

Ya gotta love the Car Chase Scene.

In this series of articles, we look back at the history of the car chase scene.

Part Two: The Seventies

It's now the Seventies and the effect of “Bullitt” is reverberating through Hollywood. Youth culture and the anti-war movement helped to propel such films as “Easy Rider” and the Studios were looking toward muscle cars to bring the kids to the theatre.

The first to take the director's chair and run with the assignment was a guy named Steven Spielberg. Taking a Richard Matheson story called, “Duel,” Spielberg created a made-for-TV movie about a traveling salesman (Dennis Weaver) who cut off the wrong trucker. The result being a “dinosaur” semi-truck constantly antagonizing Weaver on the road as he tries not to get killed driving his Plymouth Valiant. Ratings were so good the Studios released the movie in theatres.

Next came another great chase scene in cinema history: Gene Hackman in a hijacked car vs. an elevated subway train in 1971's, “The French Connection.” “The French Connection” followed two cops, “Popeye” Doyle (Hackman) and Sonny Grosso (Roy Scheider) as they made one of the biggest drug scores in history: $25 million in smuggled heroin. As for the chase, the perp got onto the train. To stop him, Doyle hijacks a car and avoids hitting other cars, poles, a mother with a baby carriage, etc. and gets to the scene in time enough to stop the guy cold.

The same year a low-budget film had James Taylor and Dennis Wilson (of the Beach Boys) in their 1955 Chevy Coupe challenge a guy (Warren Oates) in a stock 1970 Pontiac GTO to a cross-country race. “Two Lane Blacktop” may have been a little “Easy Rider” in showing aimless characters going cross-country, but the film has its following.

1973 saw “The Seven-Ups.” Based on a story by Sonny Grasso pitched to Roy Scheider during the making of “The French Connection,” “The Seven-Ups” follows a unit within the New York City Police Department that, if they catch you, your sentence is seven years and up. Having the producers of “Bullitt” and “The French Connection,” the film having a car chase scene was a requirement. When the bad guys speed off in their Pontiac Grand Ville, Scheider follows them in a Pontiac Ventura Sprint Coupe. They drive on sidewalks, fishtail the cars, almost hit a group of kids in the street, and in the end Scheider almost gets beheaded by a semi-truck. Maybe not the most inspired of car chases, but one of the more intense ones.

Another entry into the genre is none other than “Vanishing Point.” Barry Newman stars as Kowalski, a former Vietnam Vet, police officer, and race car driver who makes a bet that he can make it from Denver to San Fran in 15 hours. Spiritually connected with him is “Super Soul” (Cleavon Little) a blind radio disc jockey in a small town who is “tuned” into what and where Kowalski is going as his Dodge R/T Challenger avoids cops and a pissed-off motorist. The chase in this movie IS the movie, with the cops setting up a roadblock that Kowalski is ever speeding toward. Of note Dean Jagger of “The Treasure of the Sierra Madre” is in this. Also, the band Audioslave's video for their song, “Show Me How To Live” incorporated footage from the film mixed with the band driving the same car through the same locations.

Peter Fonda and Deke Sommers play washed-up NASCAR drivers who rob a small town grocery and along the way pick up Susan George in 1974's “Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry.” Larry (Fonda) and Mary (George) are pursued in their 1969 Dodge Challenger R/T by police officer Hanks (Eugene Daniels) in a 1972 Dodge Polara and Sheriff Franklin (Vic Morrow), who tracks them from a helicopter. While Larry does exclaim, “Ain't nothin' gonna stop us!” he should have watched out for the train.

The same year came low-budget filmmaker H.B. 'Toby' Halicki. If the name doesn't sound familiar, then you should recognize his contribution: “Gone in 60 Seconds.” With a budget of $1.1 million he wrote, directed, produced, and starred in this tale of Mandarin Chase, a fraud investigator who steals cars on the side (only ones that are insured). This movie practically shows you how to steal a car, circa 1974. When Chase completes a deal to deliver 50 cars in two days, the chase is on as him and his team secure every car but “Eleanor,” a 1973 Ford Mac 1. The cops swooping in leads to a 40-minute car chase (longest in film history). Trivia: all the cars housed in the warehouse Chase walks around in were owned by Halicki. The film was remade in 2000 with Nicolas Cage and Angelina Jolie.

“Death Race 2000.” For those who didn't catch my “Remake Radar” article, it's the future and in the Trans Continental Road Race, you earn points for roadkill. The older, the better. David Carradine (“Kung Fu”) plays government champion Frankenstein. His rival: Joe “Machine Gun” Viturbo (Sylvester Stallone). Directed by Roger Corman, this was a satiric look at the “car is the star” Seventies film fare. Currently remade (sort of) as “Death Race” with Jason Statham, Joan Allen, and Tyrese Gibson.

“The Gumball Rally” solidified the nation's fixation with driving cross-country and comedy. Driving from New York to California, the illegal race featured such actors as Raul Julia and Gary Busey in a competition for speed and a gumball machine. This film would be seen again, but as “Cannonball Run.”

“Eastbound and down, loaded-up and truckin' / we're gonna do what they say can't be done...” If there was a nickel for every time in my life I heard Jerry Reed sing the theme to “Smokey and the Bandit...” Anyways, for those who have never watched it (just a disclaimer) the story goes like this: an 18-wheeler of beer has to get from Texas to Georgia. The driver: Cledus “Snowball 1” Snow (Jerry Reed). Making sure it happens is The Bandit (Burt Reynolds). When Bandit picks up a runaway bride (Sally Fields) they invoke wrath of father-in-law-to-be Sheriff Buford T. Justice (Jackie Gleason), aka “Smokey.” Fun, redneck comedy that rivaled “Star Wars” and “Close Encounters” for the box office of 1977. It also made it impossible not to spot a Trans Am in the South. Followed by two sequels. “We're Eastbound, watchin' Bandit run...”

A little late, one of the “Duel” imitators, as well as a precursor to  “Christine,” “The Car,” pops in at 1977. A possessed Lincoln Mark III takes on anyone who challenges it.

Stay tuned for the Eighties!

I couldn't help it. It was calling my name...

I absolutely adore French Connections cute little short sleeved shirts and blouses, and this was no exception. I can already picture how hot its going to look with my favourite Bettina Liano jeans, red belt and red stiletto pumps...

Saw this gorgeous tan bag at the window of French Connection the other day. Was in too much of a hurry to go in to investigate properly, so had to snap a pic with my mobile in order to be able to find it online later on.

Could it be the perfect companion to my lovely tan office heels?

Starring Roy Scheider and Tony Bianco. Directed by Philip D’Antoni.

Based on a story provided by Sonny Grasso (“The French Connection”), Roy Scheider is Buddy, the head of an underground police organization known as the “Seven-Ups.” They are called this because whatever criminal they catch receives a sentence of seven years or more. Mobsters around the city are being kidnapped and extorted for money, a plot that Scheider’s team finds out after a team member is accidentally killed. Playing both sides against the middle is Vito (Tony Bianco), Buddy’s friend and underworld informant.

This film could easily be considered a “sequel” to “The French Connection,” but don’t confuse it with “French Connection II.” For starters, there’s almost no dialogue whatsoever; outside of a few scenes between Scheider and Bianco, there’s just raw visual filmmaking. Using “French Connection” as a blueprint, the film is the classic “70’s style:” pseudo-documentary/ hand-held shots, wide angles, sparse dialog; an almost “being there” feel to it. Plus being directed by Philip D’Antoni (who produced “Bullitt” and “The French Connection”) there is the obligatory car chase.

Screeching tires? Check. Disobeying traffic laws? Check. Car continues to fishtail? Check. Trying to improve on “Bullitt” and “French Connection,” imagine a chase scene that is a marriage of the chase scenes from those movies; Roy Scheider in a Pontiac Ventura ripping through the streets of New York City following the bad guys driving a Pontiac Grand Ville. Throw in some traffic, kids playing in the streets, an extra police patrol car and a semi-truck at the end and while it may not be the best, it’s worthy of the Car Chase Hall of Excellence.

Should you rent this movie? If you’re a fan of Seventies cinema, yes. If you liked the “French Connection,” yes. If you’re a Roy Scheider fan, definitely.

My grade: B

The original $300 CA price tag was a bit unnerving, but thanks to Winners, I walked away with this beauty for the glorious price of $25 CA plus tax (and that wasn't even a sale, people).

I like the lighter version of this dress over the dark for a number of reasons; the lighter is better suited for funky daytime wear, has no fuchsia involved, and let's face it: light sequins are much less tranny-like.

I think this would look intense with a dark leather jacket, ankle boots and [just maybe] a pillbox hat; we'll see.

French Connection has always been one of my favourite high-street shops. I don't think i have ever actually disliked any of their collections, since they do sell stylish, trendy and often good quality pieces. The price is often a bonus as well!

The maxi-dress has been a huge trend this season, and it's perfect to wear on a hot sticky day (as we are currently experiencing in the UK), during a picnic or in the evening. This Pop Dress (was £70 now £40) would look fantastic with some statement wooden bangles.

Bows, neck-ties, and ruffles may be associated with the romantic prep trend this season, but this Stripe Tie Shirt (was £35 now £25) should be a staple in any girls wardrobe. It's fitted, it's classic and it will carry well into F/W 08.09

Statement jewellery, worn over a coat is set to be a big trend this F/W, so start picking up your little bargains for next season with this Row Necklace (was £14 now £10)

Indian Rose x

Il faut dire que la période ne m'inspire aucunement, et que je ne sais même plus moi-même si je dois porter du noir ou de la couleur, du court ou du long, du léger ou du chaud, du slim ou du large, de la mini ou de la jupe longue.
Bref, j'ai l'impression d'être dans un espèce de trou noir de modasseries, où j'irais même jusqu'à dire que je n'ai plus envie de shopping, de robes, de maranteries et de monoperies.
Ceci dit, en allant acheter quelques petites choses chez ce dernier, pas plus tard qu'avant hier, j'ai bien réussi à shopper un bermuda en soie à -80%. Je me suis alors rendue compte que le magasin en question devait se faire un max de blé en vendant à des filles excitées de la cb comme moi qui se disent parfois entre yaourts et pain complet, combien il est mignon ce petit top en coton bio.

Bref, je m'éloigne.

En fait, en ce moment j'ai envie de porter les fringues de mon mec. Je ne sais pas pourquoi, ne me demandez pas d'ou vient ce délire. Mais j'ai envie de porter du XXL.

Du coup, j'ai bien repéré un petit tee shirt que je lui achèterais bien pour lui piquer. Il vient de chez French Connection (FCUK), une marque que je n'achète jamais (ils sont aux Galeries, et j'aime pas les Galeries). A la rigueur, j'entre dans la boutique de Londres, en allant chez Liberty's (notez l'attitude snob : oui je vais chez FCUK, mais pas à Paris, c'est pas assez... exotique !).

J'ai repéré également un slim sur ma copine C. qu'elle a payé des clopinettes chez Uniqlo.
Comment ça t'es allée chez Uniqlo ? A la Défense ? Maaaaais c'est... loin. Hein, c'est direct ? Oui mais non.Je préfère encore aller chez Uniqlo à Londres. Oui je suis snob. Non je n'ai pas envie de faire du shopping. Tiens je passerai chez APC demain pour la peine.

I mean, HOLY CRAP man, right? I love these period pieces. It reminds you of a more innocent place and time, back in the day when Kevin Costner was still cool, the 60s were the 80s of their day, and Jim Kelly, Bruce Smith and Thurman Thomas were making the AFC look silly on a daily basis. Those were the days.

You got anymore awesome memorabilia from your favorite team? I know some of you Sabres folks are packin some classic French Connection style stuff, and maybe even a few of you Giants fans can hearken us back to the pre-Hostetler days, when Phil Simms was, you know, not coming up small. Post them in our Facebook group (you have to join first), or drop us an e-mail (talleywhackers (at) gmail (dot) com with your memories.

TOP FIVE HACKMAN MOVIES

Yes, we are celebrating the acting career and catalog of esteemed thespian Gene Hackman. Due to the vast amount of movies he’s been in, and the roles, it was difficult to bring it down to just five (much less ten or twenty). For you’re reading pleasure, here we go:

5. Superman (1978) – While Jack Nicholson and Gene Wilder were considered Hackman was the one to fill the role of Supe’s nemesis, the criminal mastermind Lex Luthor. Luthor’s plan: buy up worthless desert land and launch nuclear missiles at the San Andreas fault line, making Luthor’s land the New West Coast. On his side are girlfriend Eve Teschmacher (Valerie Perrine), bumbling sidekick Otis (Ned Beatty), and not just a pocket but a box full of Kryptonite. Trivia: Hackman refused to wear a “bald” skull cap, just increasing laughable wigs. He relented in the end and wore one for Luthor’s final scene.

4. Unforgiven (1992) – Hackman plays Little Bill Daggett, former gunfighter and current sheriff of the town of Big Whiskey. After a prostitute has her face cut-up and he fines the cowboy who did it seven horses (payable to the saloon owner/pimp), the other prostitutes in town gather together and look for someone who can come in and deliver justice. This comes in the form of William Munny (Clint Eastwood), former thief and murderer now reformed. Munny, his friend Ned Logan (Morgan Freeman) and wannabe desperado The Schofield Kid (James Woolvett) head off to Big Whiskey for the reward and to find out what happened. Hackman delivers one of the film’s best lines: “I don't deserve this... to die like this,” in which Munny replies, “Deserve's got nothin' to do with it.” Trivia: The script for “Unforgiven” had been floating around Hollywood for two decades. Hackman had already read it and passed on it. Eastwood coaxed him into being in it.

3. The Royal Tenenbaums (2001) – Hackman makes an appearance in this Wes Anderson movie about estranged patriarch Royal Tenenbaum who is trying to spend time with his family (former child prodigies) because he has a terminal illness. This movie was fun to watch because it appeared that Hackman himself was having fun. With a cast of Danny Glover, Anjelica Huston, Ben Stiller, Gwenyth Paltrow, Luke and Owen Wilson, how could it not be? This is one of the best Wes Anderson movies (next to “Life Aquatic”). Trivia: Wes Anderson wrote the part of Royal Tenenbaum with Hackman in mind.

2. The French Connection (1971) – In my Top Ten Favorite Movies of All Time, Hackman plays Jimmy ‘Popeye’ Doyle. Along with partner Buddy Russo (Roy Scheider) they make the biggest drug bust in NYC history -$32 million in heroin (a HUGE deal in the 1960’s). I can’t praise this movie enough. Whether it’s Hackman’s delivery of “Did you stop to pick your feet in Poughkeepsie?” or his “car vs. train chase,” you can’t miss this movie. Trivia: The real ‘Popeye’ Doyle was on the set and would often antagonize Hackman.

1. Crimson Tide (1995) – Hackman plays Captain Frank Ramsey of the USS Alabama (“Go Bama!”) who takes on new XO, Lt. Com. Ron Hunter (Denzel Washington). When the nuclear sub is called into deep waters it does a dance with a Russian Akula-class sub. Conflicted messages are obtained as to whether or not the sub should fire its nuclear missiles. Based on the film, “Run Silent Run Deep,” “Crimson Tide” is, in my opinion, a much better version of the story. I honestly thought there would’ve been a moment in the film where Hackman and Washington got into a fight. Trivia: Warren Beatty, Al Pacino, and Tommy Lee Jones all turned down the part Hackman played.

Obviously selling this lovely little lappie to finance our move to Londres (goodness me how time flies!). We're actually upping roots in 3 weeks! EEEK. and STILL we need the dollar to move... so please bid generously!

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE eBAY LISTING!

Other Features:

Speakers, Mic, Bluetooth, Firewire, x2 USB2, Modem, Network Card, DVI

Selling due to upgrade.

The laptop has a few minor scratches on the exterior metal due to unavoidable wear. The only other small problem is that the processor fan is quite loud, although I have replaced it with a new fan, which reduced the noise somewhat, this does not effect the performance of the computer at all.

Any questions? send me an email!

Thank you!

Ms. Judy Pink.

1,000,000:

Letting You:

Echoplex:

posted by Trent Reznor at 1:30 am pst, from los angeles

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posted by Trent Reznor at 6:22 am pst, from los angeles

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posted by Rob at 5:22 am pst, from los angeles

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added: click for original video @ pitchfork.tv - had to convert it to embed it. oh, and btw, since i just changed the containers, the vimeo video is also a downloadable .avi with minor loss of quality, if any at all.

Actualité

- Partir : tournage pendant l'été à Nîmes du dernier film de Catherine Corsini.
- Regards sur le Désir Amoureux : Projections/Rencontres/Débats aux Arcades Bis autour de 5 films - Les Bureaux de Dieu, Ploy, A Swedish Love Story, Mysterious Skin et Transamerica.
- Les Révoltés de l'an 2000 de Narciso Ibañez Serrador, sortie en édition 2DVD collector chez Wild Side.
- Eldorado de Bouli Lanners, à l'affiche au Sémaphore, à Nîmes.
- Les séries de l'été : LOST (4ème saison sur TF1) ; HEROES (2de saison sur TF1) ; La Main Blanche (la saga de l'été de TF1 à ne pas regarder !) ; S.O.S 18 (sur France 3, ne pas regarder non plus) ; Kyle XY (ou "ex wouaye" pour se la jouer, sur M6) ; Rex ( sur france 2, la vous faites ce que vous voulez...) ; Scrubs, Les Griffin, X-Files Nip Tuck (sur Paris Première).
- Génériques n°16 : le numéro de juin est en kiosques.

Dossier : Les Voitures Mythiques du Cinéma

A l’occasion de la sortie au cinéma le mercredi 18 juin du film Speed Racer des frères Wachowski, les Voyeurs vont réver avec vous en se remémorant les fabuleux bolides que le cinéma nous à offert pour alimenter nos fantasmes.

Les Voitures de Flics

Bullit de Peter Yates (1969) avec une Ford Mustang Fastback GT 390 de 1968 et une Dodge Charger 440R/T de 1968
Les Incorruptibles de Brian de Palma (1987) avec les Buick Serie 40 et 50 ainsi que les Ford modèles A et T
Les Brigades du Tigre de Jérome Cornuau (2006) avec la De Dion-Bouton 1915 et la Renault 8CV Torpedo 2 places de 1913
Colors de Denis Hopper (1988 ) avec tout un tas de Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Impala/Malibu et j'en passe
Mad Max de George Miller (1982) avec sa Ford Falcon Coupé XB GT V8 de 1973
Columbo, série télé avec Peter Folk (1968 ) et sa célébre Peugeot 403 Cabriolet
Blues Brothers de John Landis (1980) avec la fameuse Bluesmobile, une Dodge Monaco version police de 1974

Les Courses de Voitures

La Fureur de Vivre de Nicholas Ray (1956) avec une Ford Super Deluxe de 1946
Grease de Randal Kleiser (1978 ) avec des Buick, des Dodge, des Chevrolet, des Cadillac et Oldsmobile
American Graffiti de Georges Lucas (1974) avec plein de Chevrolet, de Ford, de Mercury... et une 2CV
L'Amour en 4ème vitesse (Viva Las Vegas - 1964) avec une superbe Shelby Cobra, entre autres...
La Grande Casse (Gone in 60 Seconds - 1974) de H.B. Halicki avec BEAUCOUP de voitures
60 secondes Chrono (Gone in 60 Seconds - 2000) de Dominic Sena, avec plein de voiture dont la fabuleuse Ford Mustang Shelby GT 500 "Eleanor" de 1967
French Connection de William Friedkin (1974), avec entre autre la fameuse Pontiac Le Mans de 1971 qui sert à la célèbre poursuite du film

Les Voitures Tueuses

Christine de John Carpenter (1983), avec la Plymouth Fury 1958. (Erratum : en fait il ne s'agit pas que de Fury utlisées dans le film, mais également de Belvedere de 1957 maquillées pour ressembler à des Fury de 1958, les Fury étant des versions "collector" des Belvedere... pfffioouuuu)
James Dean - ses voitures : sa Porsche Speedster 356 et sa "maudite" Porsche 550 Spyder
Crash de David Cronenberg (1996)
Duel de Steven Spielberg (1971) avec une voiture Plymouth Valiant de 1970, le terrible camion étant un Peterbilt 281 de 1955
Enfer Mécanique (The Car - 1977) de Elliot Silverstein, avec une terrifiante Lincoln Continental Mark III de 1971
Maximum Overdrive de Stephen King (1986) avec pleins de camions et de voitures, plus un petit véhicule militaire assez bizarre
Riding the Bullet de Mick Garris (2004)

Les Voitures Gadgets

James Bond : la célébre Aston Martin DB5 de Goldfinger et Casino Royale ; la Lotus Esprit ; la BMW Z3 etc...
Batman : de la Batmobile de la série TV des années 60 au Tumbler de Batman Begins en passant par celle des films de Tim Burton, la voiture chauve-souris est indissociable du chevalier noir de Gotham City
SOS Fantômes d'Ivan Reitman (1984) avec l'Ecto-1, la voiture des chasseurs de fantômes basée sur une Cadillac Futura de 1959, modèle Ambulance/Corbillard
Trafic de Jacques Tati (1971)
Retour vers le Futur de Robert Zemeckis (1985) avec l'éternelle DeLorean DMC 12

Les Voitures de Séries TV

K2000 (1982 à 1986) avec K.I.T.T, la voiture qui parle, en fait une Pontiac Firebird Trans-Am de 1982
Viper (1994 à 1999) avec une Dodge Viper RT/10
Magnum (1980 à 1988) avec la Ferrari 308 GTS de 1981
Shérif, fais-moi peur (1979 à 1985) et sa Dodge Charger de 1969, nommée "Général Lee"
Deux filcs à Miami (1984 à 1990) et son nombre incroyable de voitures à l'écran
Starsky & Hutch (1975 à 1979) et sa Ford Gran Torino de 1976 rouge et blanche
Maman bagnole

La BO de la semaine

Triplets extrait du film Tous en scène de Vincente Minnelli (1953)

Extraits sonores

Spot TV pour la prévention routière par James Dean
Bullit de Peter Yates
Christine de John Carpenter
K2000 de Glen A. Larson

Extrait Musical

Black Sunshine interprété par le groupe White Zombie

PS : un lien vers un très bon site sur les voitures (ainsi que tous les autres types de véhicules) présentent dans les films => IMCDB - Internet Movie Cars Database

Don't you just hate when you fall in love with a dress, order it, and then find out that Kate Middleton has worn the same one? It's enough to make the prettiest of dresses go from fabulous to dull. Will the same fate befall these beautiful designs too?

Hopefully the company you ordered it from has a good return policy.

French Connection has come a long way from what it used to be. Recent designs in both accessories and clothing are the perfect combination of modern and wearable, without being overly trendy. Many of you have asked about a well made yet affordable bag around the three hundred dollar mark. I have yet to find one that I like as much as this! (French Connection Leather Buckle Front Bag $324.45 available online at asos.com) http://tinyurl.com/3sbs86

nine west, $79.00

Roxy, $34.00

French Connection, $49.99

Bebe, $189

Urban Outfitters, $68.00

Forever 21, $28.80