Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube
    Nostalgia Central
    • Home
    • Blog
      • Lists
      • Playlists
    • Television
      • Shows by Decade
        • 1950s Television
        • 1960s Television
        • 1970s Television
        • 1980s Television
        • 1990s Television
      • Shows by Genre
        • Comedy
        • Drama
        • Kids TV
        • Variety
        • News & Sport
        • Advertisements
      • Shows by Country
        • UK TV
        • USA TV
        • Australia & NZ TV
        • Canada TV
        • Europe TV
        • Japan TV
      • Shows A to K
        • Shows A
        • Shows B
        • Shows C
        • Shows D
        • Shows E
        • Shows F
        • Shows G
        • Shows H
        • Shows I
        • Shows J
        • Shows K
      • Shows L to Z
        • Shows L
        • Shows M
        • Shows N
        • Shows O
        • Shows P
        • Shows Q
        • Shows R
        • Shows S
        • Shows T
        • Shows U
        • Shows V
        • Shows W
        • Shows X
        • Shows Y
        • Shows Z
      • Shows 0 to 9
    • Music
      • Music by Decade
        • 1950s Music
        • 1960s Music
        • 1970s Music
        • 1980s Music
        • 1990s Music
      • Music A to K
        • Music A
        • Music B
        • Music C
        • Music D
        • Music E
        • Music F
        • Music G
        • Music H
        • Music I
        • Music J
        • Music K
      • Music L to Z
        • Music L
        • Music M
        • Music N
        • Music O
        • Music P
        • Music Q
        • Music R
        • Music S
        • Music T
        • Music U
        • Music V
        • Music W
        • Music X
        • Music Y
        • Music Z
      • Music 0 to 9
      • Genres
      • Music on Film & TV
      • One-Hit Wonders
      • Online Radio
    • Movies
      • Movies by Decade
        • 1950s Movies
        • 1960s Movies
        • 1970s Movies
        • 1980s Movies
        • 1990s Movies
      • Movies by Country
        • UK Movies
        • USA Movies
        • Australia & NZ Movies
        • Canada Movies
        • Europe Movies
        • Japan Movies
      • Movies A to K
        • Movies A
        • Movies B
        • Movies C
        • Movies D
        • Movies E
        • Movies F
        • Movies G
        • Movies H
        • Movies I
        • Movies J
        • Movies K
      • Movies L to Z
        • Movies L
        • Movies M
        • Movies N
        • Movies O
        • Movies P
        • Movies Q
        • Movies R
        • Movies S
        • Movies T
        • Movies U
        • Movies V
        • Movies W
        • Movies X
        • Movies Y
        • Movies Z
      • Movies 0 to 9
    • Pop Culture
      • Fads
      • Toys & Games
      • Fashion
      • Decor
      • Food & Drink
      • People
      • Radio
      • Technology
      • Transport
    • Social History
      • 1950s Year by Year
      • 1960s Year by Year
      • 1970s Year by Year
      • 1980s Year by Year
      • 1990s Year by Year
      • Events
    Nostalgia Central
    Home»Movies»Movies by Decade»1970s Movies
    1970s Movies Movies 1973 Movies A 4 Mins Read

    American Graffiti (1973)

    Share
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest WhatsApp Reddit Email

    Four California teenagers get a final, nostalgic glimpse of innocence before facing college and life in general in 1962 in this spot-on portrait of American youth culture shown through the experiences of some high school seniors.

    On the eve of leaving for college or military service, the quartet spend a memorable night of chasing girls, racing cars, taking dares, harassing the cops, and hanging out.

    The film opens at Mel’s Drive-In Burger City, the social centre for the town’s teenagers somewhere in the sun-drenched Central Valley of California.

    americangraffiti_023

    It tells the story of the last night of the summer vacation, the last night the four main characters – Steve, Curt, Terry and John – will be together before Steve and Curt fly east to college the next morning.

    Steve wants to break up with Laurie, his devoted high school sweetheart and pursue new experiences away from home. Curt is hesitant about going away to school and leaving the comfortable, familiar surroundings of family and friends.

    John tries to maintain his “too cool for school” image as a hip guy, but can’t seem to shake a nagging awareness that life is somehow passing him by. Finally, there’s Terry, the nerdy wannabe trying to fit in but who still manages to screw up.

    americangraffiti6

    The film follows their adventures from dusk to dawn: the girls they meet, the local school gym hop, cruisin’ the streets in and out of Mel’s, terrorising the police, making out on the river bank to the sounds of Wolfman Jack‘s XERB radio show (pictured above), duelling on deserted dawn-lit country roads between John’ Chevy-powered Ford deuce coupe and a very mean ’55 Chevy, until – finally – each goes his separate way at the airport the next morning.

    American Graffiti is a perceptive account of this period – the optimistic Kennedy era of post-war permissiveness before the final fall from innocence of the decade that followed.

    scan0072The film greatly enhanced the career of director George Lucas and cast members Ron Howard and Cindy Williams. You also should spot Harrison Ford and Suzanne Somers.

    As if such good times, beautifully filmed, were not enough, Lucas also achieved outstanding life-like performances from his young cast – the boys, Ron Howard (Steve), Richard Dreyfuss (Curt), Charlie Martin-Smith (Terry), Paul Le Mat (John); and the girls, Cindy Williams (Laurie), Candy Clark (Debbie), and McKenzie Phillips (Carol) – who together perfectly engineer the common empathy and changing moods of youthful friendship.

    There’s very little plot, but this landmark film sparkles with nostalgic atmosphere and hilarious dialogue.

    As a constant backdrop, the music plays a great part in setting the mood of the film; ranging from Bill Haley‘s classic opener Rock Around The Clock (almost 20 years after it opened Blackboard Jungle), to The Beach Boys‘ All Summer Long at the close.

    Although technically dazzling, the sequel More American Graffiti (1979) lacked the unity of style and dedication of purpose that made the original movie so memorable.

    Curt Henderson
    Richard Dreyfuss
    Steve Bolander

    Ron Howard
    John Milner

    Paul Le Mat
    Terry ‘The Toad’ Fields

    Charlie Martin Smith
    Laurie Henderson

    Cindy Williams
    Carol

    McKenzie Phillips
    Debbie Dunham

    Candy Clark
    Bob Falfa

    Harrison Ford
    XERB Disc Jockey

    Wolfman Jack
    Blonde in T-Bird

    Suzanne Sommers
    Joe Young

    Bo Hopkins
    Carlos

    Manuel Padilla Jr
    Ants

    Beau Gentry
    Officer Holstein

    Jim Bohan
    Budda

    Jana Bellan
    Wendy

    Deby Celiz
    Bobbie Tucker

    Lynne Marie Stewart
    Bill Wolfe

    Terry McGovern
    Peg

    Kathy Quinlan
    Eddie

    Tim Crowley
    Mr Gordon

    Scott Beach
    Bozo

    Gordon Analla
    Hank Anderson

    Al Nalbandian
    Dale

    Bob Pasaak
    Al

    Chris Pray
    Judy

    Susan Richardson
    Ferber

    Fred Ross
    Kip Pullman

    Ed Greenberg
    Mr Kroot

    Irving Israel
    Vic

    Joe Spano
    Bob Falfa’s Girl

    Debralee Scott

    Director
    George Lucas

    Video

    Related Posts

    • American Hot Wax (1978)
      American Hot Wax (1978)
      "This is Alan Freed  . . . and this is rock'n'roll." With these words, the young hearts of New York beat…
    • Cannibal Girls (1973)
      Cannibal Girls (1973)
      This Canadian-produced horror spoof by future SCTV stars starts when a young couple, Clifford (Eugene Levy) and his girlfriend Gloria (Andrea Martin,)…
    • Digby: The Biggest Dog in the World (1973)
      Digby: The Biggest Dog in the World (1973)
      Entrusted to the care of Jeff (Jim Dale), the jolly animal psychologist of a British space research centre, shaggy Old…
    • Summer of '42 (1971)
      Summer of '42 (1971)
      For 15-year-old Hermie (Gary Grimes) and his friends, life on a tranquil New England island is untouched by the harsh…
    • Blazing Saddles (1974)
      Blazing Saddles (1974)
      The movie which made motion picture history by introducing farting to the big screen. Rescued from a railroad gang, Black…
    • Zabriskie Point (1970)
      Zabriskie Point (1970)
      After enjoying the biggest success of his career with Blow Up (1966), Michelangelo Antonioni spent two years and $7 million of…
    • Big Wednesday (1978)
      Big Wednesday (1978)
      Quentin Tarantino once said that surfers don't deserve Big Wednesday. Perhaps this was a hangover from his days working in a…
    • Aloha, Bobby and Rose (1975)
      Aloha, Bobby and Rose (1975)
      After making an impact with his role in George Lucas's American Graffiti (1973), Paul Le Mat starred in this crime melodrama…

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest WhatsApp Reddit Email
    Previous ArticleAmbushers, The (1967)
    Next Article American Hot Wax (1978)

    Comments are closed.

    A Labour of Love

    Nostalgia Central has been a labour of love for me since 1998.

    If you find the site informative or enjoyable, please consider a donation – no matter how small – to help me with the running costs of the site and ensure I can keep Nostalgia Central running for your entertainment and education.

    Thank you so much, and please enjoy your trip in the time machine!
    Follow us
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    You May Also Like
    • Suicide
      Although they barely receive credit, Suicide is the source point […]
    • Abbott and Costello Cartoon Show, The
      1 9 6 7 – 1 9 6 8 (USA) 39 x 30 minute episodes This […]
    • Banana Splits Adventure Hour, The
      1 9 6 8 – 1 9 7 0 (USA) 31 x 50 minute episodes Few shows […]
    • National Velvet
      1 9 6 0 – 1 9 6 2 (USA) 58 x 30 minute episodes […]
    • Brood, The (1979)
      Oliver Reed persuades Samantha Eggar to give birth to deformed […]
    • Future Cop
      1 9 7 6 – 1 9 7 7 (USA) 13 x 60 minute episodes As part of […]
    Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons

    OUR LATEST FACEBOOK POSTS

    60 years of Billy Liar: how the Bradford locations have changed today ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    60 years of Billy Liar: how the Bradford locations have changed today

    theb.fi

    Not everything is at it seems about the shooting locations for this classic story of a Yorkshire daydreamer.
    20 hours ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 6
    • Shares: 1
    • Comments: 1

    Comment on Facebook

    “I’ll tell you what Charlie, there’s always been a Holroyd at Holroyd’s mill and by god there always will be” Love this film.

    www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-65006801 ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    Terry Hall: Coventry scooter ride-out pays tribute to singer

    www.bbc.co.uk

    Hundreds of people ride through Coventry on what would have been the singer's 64th birthday.
    1 week ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 12
    • Shares: 2
    • Comments: 0

    Comment on Facebook

    metro.co.uk/2023/03/13/the-whos-roger-daltrey-thinks-theres-no-point-releasing-an-album-18434779/ ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    The Who's Roger Daltrey thinks there's 'no point' releasing another album

    metro.co.uk

    Bad luck.
    1 week ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 1
    • Shares: 0
    • Comments: 0

    Comment on Facebook

    www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-64963359 ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    Sir Michael Caine's first Rolls Royce sells at Duxford for £120K

    www.bbc.co.uk

    The Italian Job actor hired a chauffeur to drive the 1968 Silver Shadow, with its doors still intact.
    2 weeks ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 3
    • Shares: 0
    • Comments: 0

    Comment on Facebook

    www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-64900348 ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    Mystic Meg: Astrologer dies aged 80

    www.bbc.co.uk

    The TV star, whose real name was Margaret Lake, was a well-known TV figure in the 1990s.
    2 weeks ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 1
    • Shares: 0
    • Comments: 1

    Comment on Facebook

    Do you think she know it eas going to happen

    PlayTalk Teletext (1976) | BFI Replay

    Talk Teletext (1976) | BFI Replay ... See MoreSee Less

    3 weeks ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 8
    • Shares: 2
    • Comments: 0

    Comment on Facebook

    Gary Rossington: Lynyrd Skynyrd's last founding member dies aged 71.
    ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    Gary Rossington: Lynyrd Skynyrd's last founding member dies aged 71

    www.bbc.co.uk

    Guitarist Gary Rossington had survived a 1977 air crash that killed several of his bandmates.
    3 weeks ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 2
    • Shares: 0
    • Comments: 1

    Comment on Facebook

    What a talented man. Lucky enough to see original band in concert. BRILLIANT.

    Rest in peace Dickie Davies. An absolute giant of British sports broadcasting.

    ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    Dickie Davies, World of Sport presenter, dies at 94

    www.theguardian.com

    The broadcaster became something of a cult figure after fronting the ITV show for 20 years
    1 month ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 4
    • Shares: 1
    • Comments: 1

    Comment on Facebook

    Yes, one of the great presenters. R.I.P.

    For fans of the radio series Round The Horne (1965 - 1968) - starring the inimitable Kenneth Williams - there are several full episodes on Spotify. Some of the humour is still pretty close to the edge, even by modern standards. Bona! 

https://open.spotify.com/show/7DIM1wfGKwDis0uzsjHeP7?si=pG0_U0TjRKGzVDvrePs4vA

    For fans of the radio series "Round The Horne" (1965 - 1968) - starring the inimitable Kenneth Williams - there are several full episodes on Spotify. Some of the humour is still pretty "close to the edge", even by modern standards. Bona!

    open.spotify.com/show/7DIM1wfGKwDis0uzsjHeP7?si=pG0_U0TjRKGzVDvrePs4vA
    ... See MoreSee Less

    1 month ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 12
    • Shares: 1
    • Comments: 2

    Comment on Facebook

    For those interested, the complete “Jules and Sandy” is available on Audible…

    Bona to vada your jolly old eek. Lovely riah....

    RIP the beautiful Stella Stevens, who has died at the age of 84.

    ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    Stella Stevens: Nutty Professor and Poseidon Adventure star dies at 84

    www.bbc.co.uk

    The co-star of Elvis Presley also worked in TV on series such as Murder She Wrote and Magnum, P.I.
    1 month ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 0
    • Shares: 0
    • Comments: 0

    Comment on Facebook

    Load more
    Please note


    Nostalgia Central covers the period 1950 to 1999 and contains some words and references which reflect the attitudes of those times and which may be considered culturally sensitive, offensive or inappropriate today.
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    Search Nostalgia Central
    Tag Cloud
    1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1974. 1975 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 Action Figures Amicus Arcade games Australia Beach movies Beatles Blaxploitation Board games British Invasion Britpop Bubblegum music Canada Civil rights Cold War Computer games Crime Disc Jockeys Disco Disney Doo-Wop Elvis Presley Folk rock Girl groups Glam Goth Hammer Heavy Metal Irwin Allen James Bond JFK Kraütrock Labels Madchester Merseybeat Mod revival Motown New Romantic New Wave New Zealand Nixon Northern Soul NWOBHM Oi! One-hit wonders Politics Power Pop Prog rock Pub rock Punk Radio Reggae Rolling Stones Scotland Ska Ska revival Skiffle Soul music Space Race Sport Surf music Video games Vietnam war
    Copyright © 1998, 2023 Nostalgia Central. Run by volunteers. Funded by donations.
    • About Nostalgia Central
    • Contact
    • FAQ

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.