At The Movies, Sixties

AT THE MOVIES (May 4, 2023)

Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

If you need a little boost getting your engine running, I’ve got the perfect number for you today.

“Easy Rider” is a 1969 American independent roaddrama film written by Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper and Terry Southern, produced by Fonda and directed by Hopper. Fonda and Hopper play two bikers who travel through the American South and Southwest carrying the proceeds from a cocaine deal. 

Released shortly after the assassinations of Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr., “Easy Rider” marked a significant change in American filmmaking. Never before had a low-budget, offbeat movie made such an impact on young audiences. Reflecting a chaotic time in a country that was deeply divided in its values, the film’s frank treatment of alternative lifestyles, sexual freedom and drug and alcohol use struck a deep nerve.

If you think back to Tuesday’s In The Groove, you may remember I mentioned “Easy Rider” in my post. I see some of you nodding your heads in agreement. Then you’ll remember the kick-ass power-song from the movie that I also talked about – “Born to Be Wild” by Steppenwolf.

As I said on Tuesday, this song is sometimes described as the first heavy metal song ever written. I do not agree with that but I’m going to let you decide for yourselves. If you’d like a refresher on some heavy metal music, please refer back to Tuesday’s post.

Turn up the volume and strap yourselves in. This is Steppenwolf and they were “Born To Be Wild”!

Vroom chaka laka! That is definitely a rockin’ song!

Now here’s the question of the day, a fairly easy one if you’re familiar with the movie (and you were paying attention to the video):

We already know the stars of “Easy Rider” were Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper. There was a third guy who tagged along for part of the movie. Who is the big name Hollywood star who had his first big acting break appearing along Fonda and Hopper in the movie?

I’ll have the answer for you next week.

Don’t forget to tune in tomorrow with Nick for another great edition of Breaking Boundaries.

Are we having fun yet? I hope to meet up with you again next week At The Movies where we can catch our breath and mellow out. I’ll save you a seat!

See you on the flip side.

I’m The Sicilian Storyteller

NAR © 2023

38 thoughts on “AT THE MOVIES (May 4, 2023)”

  2. Jack is the answer! I thought he was brilliant in Five Easy Pieces, but I
    his role in The Raven was hilarious! Easy Rider is a classic movie, not exactly an easy watch, but those times were a bit uneasy, too.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. That scene of him in Five Easy Pieces in the diner placing his omelet order is a classic! My favorite role of his was as Melvin in As Good As It Gets with Helen Hunt and Greg Kinnear. I love that movie!
      Misky, you are so right about those unsettled times. We lived through them.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. I am ancient, Nancy…so, no problemo!
        You, on the other hand, cannot age since you are the equivalent of the Macallan Valerio Adami…it only gets more precious with each year passing 😎

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply

    1. Oh, no!! You got me, Staci! I must admit in all candor I never made the connection. This is one of the pitfalls of scheduling so far in advance. My apologies to all the Star Wars fans out there. I feel like I let you all down. Here’s my tiny act of contrition:

      Liked by 3 people

      Reply

  8. There is nothing like driving down the highway with the windows down and the radio blaring “Born to Be Wild”. It never fails. Jack Nicholson, by the way, was along for the ride.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. A! I need to take a marker and draw a bike helmet onto your gorgeous silver hair! I always had a feeling deep down you are a wild man! 😂 😂

      Jack Nicholson was, of course, the right person in the wrong place at the wrong time. Poor George!

      Like

      Reply

      1. I copied this some years ago from where I don’t remember . . .

        “With the car open to the wind, and the radio tuned to an AM station riddled with static from a thunderstorm on the horizon, memories flicker in the sweetness of the moment. The miles themselves dissolve every question except the one that matters. What lies waiting there, just over the rise . . . ?”

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply

  9. Vroom chaka laka!
    Talking about a cultural milestone!
    I wonder…what was the latest low budget film that had, in proportion to its budget, a huge impact?

    Engine definitely high revving, Nancy!!

    (hey…now that Nancy isn’t looking…for today’s answer focus on the last seconds of the video …cream suit, iconic face with sunglasses…oops, here she comes…Oh, nothing – was just saying how much I love motorcycle riding 😉 )

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Great question, Nick! When you watch this movie, which I did not too long ago, you realize it’s got a lot of nice scenery but the rest of it looks like it was filmed out of someone’s garage. Wait, it was. Peter Fonda’s garage! A couple of upstarts stoned out of their gourds making quite the name for themselves and an impression on the world. It may not have been he best movie ever but it left it’s mark for sure!

      Iconic grinning face, sunglasses … yeah you got it! 😎

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

Leave a reply to Mister Bump UK Cancel reply