<VV> Sleepers

[Padgett]

Have been collecting movies for a long time, some from the '20s and '30s. 
Think the real turning point was the cameras in Grand Prix (1966).

Cars were mainstream rather than incidental from about 1957 (Thunder Road) 
to 1980 (Blues Brothers) just as they were integral to society rather than 
appliances as now.

Ones I really liked in addition to the above were Redline 7000 (spot a real 
Cobra Daytona Coupe), (the original) Italian Job,  Gumball Rally (supposed 
to be on Speed next weekend along with the biggest turkey of all,, Stroker 
Ace. The book was superb - find a copy and read it rather than watching the 
movie), (original) Gone in 60 Seconds (takes two cop cars to knock over a 
garbage truck), Two Lane Blacktop, (the original ) Vanishing Point (only 
the Jag seemed HiCamed - 104 minute "English" version if possible), the 
Last American Hero, and of course the first "Smokey and the Bandit".

Are some outside of that period (e.g. Days of Thunder) but by then the 
original American car picture along with the culture that spawned it, had 
faded away. Quite a few have since been remade mostly badly with much 
darker plots. Back then most wreckees were seen afterwards to walk away 
usually shaking their heads. Wiith the exception of a pivotal incident in 
Grand Prix, no one with a bit part was ever injured. Of course back in the 
day, these were usually considered comedies. Oh well.

Padgett