motowebmaster

Just learned that Dennis Hopper passed away yesterday. Some of his roles were quirky, but I enjoyed watching him.

The Prophet

You could always count on ol' Dennis to bring out everything in the roles he played. Very often the wierder, and more disturbing... the better.

Hoosiers, Blue Velvet, Speed, Apocalypse Now, and at least a hundred others.

"Easy Rider" was maybe his claim to "comeback" fame. A fun movie "back n' the day", but if you watch it closely now, it's about two guys who sell drugs to finance a cross country trip (not cool), then head down to the ultra-conservative - at the time - South, and do their best to aggravate the locals (not cool), until they get thrown in the slammer (not cool), but get sprung by a spoiled, drunkard, rich kid (not cool). Who's right or wrong here? Oddly, at the time, this was considered "political", and "the voice of a generation". Who's to say now, but obviously back then, Dennis and Peter Fonda thought the premise was really revolutionary. How time dates things! I think our old pal Dennis was 'toking up' a few(!) back then, so once great "ideas" may not appear as they seem?

Anyway, a great, classic soundtrack to that flick, a couple of pretty interesting bikes, and some fantastic camera shots. In the end, this film did more for opening opportunities for independent film makers, and providing solid proof that low budget films could "make it", than anything else.

I thought his best role was in Hoosiers, an all time "Top-Ten" favorite. I also think he did a better job in more serious roles, and when he had an opportunity to "flesh-out" roles into interesting, complex characters.

Rest in Peace Dennis, we'll be watching your great flicks forever.

Ride Safe!

Bob

__________________

• A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving. ~Lao Tzu
• Motorcyles are not my whole life, but they make my life whole. ` me

Speedtrip

One of my all time favorite movie scenes with Hopper and Christopher Walken from True Romance.

Very non PC clip!


YouTube - True Romance - Sicilians

Aussiebikerdave

Prophet, an excellent review and thumbnail description of the basic essence of Easy Rider. I seem to remember that I first saw the movie about 1969 or 1970 at the tender and impressionable age of 19/20. The movie sure captured the moment of the times and had a huge impact but I remember trying to watch it again about 10 years ago and giving up on it before the end as it seemed so crass and low rent. I guess we have all moved on and I am no longer 19 or 20! The best thing that came out of the movie for me was the soundtrack. It gave Steppinwolf's BTBW legendary status.

Speedtrip

Damn you guys are old!

The Prophet

I'm much, much younger. In 1969/70 I was 18/19!

I clearly remember this "Easy Rider" movie back then as being the absolutely coolest thing around, and I also recall that it probably launched a million bike sales. Everyone and their brother wanted to buy a bike, grab a buddy, and go cross country to "find themselves". As a group, I think we all saw it at the "Show" 3 or 4 times at least! (How did we survive without DVD players, movie rental outlets, and "on demand" TV!)

Odd how time dates and alters perspectives, and how something that appeared so cool at 19, in retrospect becomes pretty silly, and actually "uncool" when pondered in-depth at 59.

For fun, find an old "Chopper" style magazine from the late 60's / early 70's, and check out those super wild extended forks and unbelievable rakes! The turning radius must have been a city block or so! Imagine how many vintage bikes were destroyed by doing this ??? Check out as well those pants... those platform shoes... the big hair (when we had some!), and those oddly tight jackets that now appear as a few sizes too small. Lastly, why was everyone so skinny back then?

Still... great and now classic tunes from that flick, and it DID open up a new arena for independent filmmakers.

What other classic bike films do you remember?

I'm thinking "Wild Angels" with Peter Fonda? Jack Nicholson was in a few others as I remember. There was a big, muscular guy that I think was in about every single biker film back then, never the lead, but always the # 2 or 3 guy. Even Joe Namath did a horrid biker flick... I think with Ann Margaret?

Ride Safe!

Bob

Aussiebikerdave

Your comment above reminds me of one of my close friends of the time who traded his '68 BSA 650 Lightning on the last Velocette 500 Thruxton to be imported into Australia before the demise of the Velocette company. This is the model that if found today would probably be the most collectable of the lot, a fully faired 1970 model with a tank cut-away to give room for the huge Amal GP carbie. Legendary.

After a few weeks trippin' on acid my bearded friend decided to "chop" the bike. First to go was the fairing, then the fishtail muffler, the seat, the clip-ons, the rear half of the back mudguard (fender). Finally the beautiful black paintwork with its gold pinstipping gave way to a heavy metalflaked maroon paint job festooned with multicoloured pin-stripe scrolls of the style that was popular on truck doors and hoods of the day. The King/queen seat and sissy bar matched the ape hangers while the cheap muffler with a turned-out end flare completed an otherwise abominable picture.

Unfortunately my friend perished in a caravan fire about 5 years ago so is no longer here to suffer the wraith of the Velocette faithful.