George Lucas on the set of American Graffiti
George Lucas didn’t have the clout to make his crowning achievement, Star Wars, until he’d written and directed his first blockbuster hit: the classic comedy American Graffiti. After Star Wars became the highest-grossing movie ever made, Lucas became one of the most powerful players in Hollywood.
Whatever wild idea he cooked up, from Indiana Jones to Willow, he could get it made. But before Lucas could get 20th Century Fox to agree to fund his weird little space opera, he had to make a bona fide commercial hit to prove he had the sauce. In 1973, Lucas turned his early-‘60s childhood in Modesto, California into one of the biggest comedies of all time — and it still holds up today. American Graffiti Created A Whole Genre Of Its Own There isn’t much of a discernible plot in American Graffiti. It’s not about a rebel force trying to destroy an evil empire’s superweapon; it’s about a bunch of teenagers enjoying the last night of summer vacation in 1962. They eat at Mel’s Drive-In, they go to a sock hop at the high school, and they get into drag races on the streets. American Graffiti is a visual feast of classic cars and ‘60s Americana. It’s a ton of fun to just hang out with these kids, without a care in the world, basking in the historical setting. It created an entire genre of its own: the hangout movie. American Graffiti has since inspired a bunch of directors to look back at their childhood through a nostalgic lens in a refreshingly plotless movie. Richard Linklater went back to the Texas suburbs of 1976 in Dazed and Confused. Quentin Tarantino went back to the glitzy, glamorous Los Angeles of 1969 in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Paul Thomas Anderson went back to the San Fernando Valley of 1973 in Licorice Pizza. American Graffiti set the stage for all these movies. The Success Of American Graffiti Gave Lucas The Clout To Make Star Wars American Graffiti was a smash hit at the box office. On a budget of just $700,000 , American Graffiti managed to gross a whopping $140 million . After his low-budget comedy grossed back 180 times its production budget, Lucas had the freedom to make whatever movie he wanted. Of course, the movie he wanted to make was his long-gestating homage to Flash Gordon: a weird little space adventure set in a galaxy far, far away called Star Wars. If American Graffiti hadn’t been such a runaway success, then Star Wars may never have seen the light of day.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
New Mock Draft Pairs Bolts with Star All-American as Chargers Go All-In on DefenseNational analysts have continued to pair Los Angeles with interior defensive lineman, it could be in their best interest but carries risks.
Read more »
Teen K-pop Stars Hearts2Hearts Break Down New Single “Rude” and Tease First North American ShowsJust days away from their first anniversary as a group, the eight-member outfit once again proves they have what it takes to be the next IT girl group with the release of their bubbly single “Rude.”
Read more »
'American Idol' Alum Caleb Flynn Arrested for Allegedly Murdering WifeCaleb Flynn -- who auditioned for 'American Idol' in 2013 -- is back in the limelight but for all the wrong reasons ... he's just been arrested for allegedly murdering his wife.
Read more »
Brush up on American history with 'Common Sense' and 'We the People'In preparation for the U.S. Semiquincentennial this summer, we’re featuring two key texts in American history. First, Professor Nora Slonimsky joins NPR’s Sarah McCammon to discuss the legacy and reach of Thomas Paine’s Common Sense – including how we might see Paine as an influencer-like figure.
Read more »
US figure skater Alysa Liu wins gold, becomes first American woman to medal in 20 yearsAlysa Liu delivered the U.S. its first women’s figure skating Olympic gold medal in 24 years, performing a near-flawless free skate Thursday night in a glittering golden dress to upstage Japanese rivals Kaori Sakamoto and Ami Nakai at the Milan Cortina Games.
Read more »
$100K reward offered after graffiti discovered inside Bills' new stadiumIn the aftermath of the graffiti discovery, Gilbane Building and Turner Construction offered a $100,000 reward for information that leads to arrests.
Read more »