Author Topic: I finally got to watch Two-Lane Blacktop (Read 897 times)

DiabloTX · « **on:** January 31, 2008, 01:44:29 PM »

I first heard about in in High School in the mid'80s. It was something of a myth, a legendary car movie that had dropped out of circulation. In fact, late night cable didn't even play it and I couldn't find it on VHS anywhere. So the other night my wife is at home channel surfing the channel guide and see's that its going to be on later that night. She recorded it to DVR and I just finished watching it.

It's a minimalist movie and I love it. Very little dialog and a good deal of racing, both on the street and at drag strips. It's amazing to me how the contrast of the homemade '55 against the factory built '70 GTO made for great tension, the "built" vs "bought" dynamic. A bonafide 70's cult film, a great time capsule on celluloid. If you like cars and retro'70's film it's a must. I know some of you older guys have seen it and remember it so this is mainly for the ones like me who never had a chance to see it. Also, I didn't buy the James Taylor as the driver bit either, don't know why they cast him in that role.

4 out of 5 stars.

DiabloTX · « **Reply #1 on:** January 31, 2008, 01:51:00 PM »

This was my favorite bit of dialog from the movie:

DRIVER: Well, sure, I'd be grateful to find out. Only thing is (his tone changes, becoming more defined, firmer) I'm not exactly in the habit of seeing the Chevy work against some two-bit piece of junk.

PLYMOUTH DRIVER (angry): Make it fifty.

DRIVER (completing the deal, his tone hard and matter-of-fact): Add a yard and a half and you got a deal, mother****er!!!!

Airscrew · « **Reply #2 on:** January 31, 2008, 02:00:40 PM »

I dont think I ever saw it, maybe I'll check Netflix and see if its available. I remember seeing "Vanishing Point" and the original "Gone in 60 Seconds" but I must have missed that one

What channel was it on? cable or satillite?

GtoRA2 · « **Reply #3 on:** January 31, 2008, 02:02:47 PM »

The GTO was a non stock 70 Judge with the badging removed. I had a book on GTOs that talked about the car in that film.

It was also a 370 HP ram air 4 I believe.

The 55 chevy is the same car that was used in American Grafitti.

DiabloTX · « **Reply #4 on:** January 31, 2008, 02:14:34 PM »

"The Big 'Little GTO' Book"? That's where I read about it.

Still have it and look at it often.

The channel that broadcast it was 'retroplex', I think it's Starz.

Treize69 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 31, 2008, 02:47:52 PM »

I know a lot of those old movies are starting to pop up on Amazon lately (the original "Gone in 60 Seconds" just showed up in my recommended list the other day), might want to look for it again. Apparently a lot of those old "niche" movies are being reissued on DVD recently.

GtoRA2 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 31, 2008, 03:45:36 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by DiabloTX
"The Big 'Little GTO' Book"? That's where I read about it.

Still have it and look at it often.

The channel that broadcast it was 'retroplex', I think it's Starz.

LOL thats the book.

I have 2 copies even, but both have a newer version of the cover.

Great book if you love goats or old muscle.

Treize69 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 31, 2008, 03:49:37 PM »

Bah, theres only one car worth writing a book about...

GtoRA2 · « **Reply #8 on:** January 31, 2008, 05:05:24 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Treize69
Bah, theres only one car worth writing a book about...

How many rainbow stickers do you have on your stang cutie?

Treize69 · « **Reply #9 on:** January 31, 2008, 05:06:39 PM »

Just one. Right on the bottom edge of the front bumper. Got to get close to see it though.

GtoRA2 · « **Reply #10 on:** January 31, 2008, 05:19:22 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Treize69
Just one. Right on the bottom edge of the front bumper. Got to get close to see it though.

Your a girl right, I have never met a guy who liked early mustangs. They are so wimpy.

Treize69 · « **Reply #11 on:** January 31, 2008, 05:25:48 PM »

The only good 'Stangs were built between '65 and '73.

GtoRA2 · « **Reply #12 on:** January 31, 2008, 05:29:46 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Treize69
The only good 'Stangs were built between '65 and '73.

Well I can almost agree with you.

But the only good stangs before 67 had to be rebuilt by shelby.

They got interesting, and more manly in 67.

They stopped being cool in 71. (as cool as any car that is for chicks at its core)

Jackal1 · « **Reply #13 on:** January 31, 2008, 06:50:52 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Treize69
The only good 'Stangs were built between '65 and '73.

Had a`65 Stang convertible. Look in Webster`s under "Junk POS". I believe there is a picture of it there.

I remember seeing Two Lane Blacktop at the drive-in along with Easyrider.
Both classics.

lazs2 · « **Reply #14 on:** February 01, 2008, 09:08:44 AM »

It was a great drive in movie at the time. All the girls loved james taylor who was a heart throb at the time. It made us hot rodders seem a little more "romantic". Plus.. we could all show the girls how real men shifted a hurst equipped 4 speed.

lazs