The irony, of course, is that the twenty- and thirysomethings *are*
embracing 70s fashion all over again.
The irony, of course, is that the twenty- and thirysomethings *are*
embracing 70s fashion all over again.
Bruce.
I never got that far. He agreed to do the book with me, so I went off in
search of a publisher. Since "A French Kiss With Death" (Mike Keyser's book
abt. the making of "Le Mans") had sold very well, I approached the publisher
(Robert Bentley), but they said, in effect, "Once is enough." I also
approached Motorbooks International, which had sold thousands of copies of
"French Kiss" through their mail-order outlet, Classic Motorbooks, but,
incredibly, they weren't interested either. I tried to get Frankenheimer to
sit still long enuf for some depositions, but he worked incessantly right up
to his death (when he wasn't doing features he was doing commercials, like
one segment of those wacko BMW Internet films), so I never got another
chance. I did think of self-publishing (as Denise McCluggage had done
successfully with her book, "By Brooks Too Broad for Leaping"), but by the
time I had come around to that view, it was too late.
It was a real pity, because Frankenheimer promised to hook me up with
everybody who was associated with "Grand Prix" (including Garner, whom he
hated), and to tell the real story of why Steve McQueen (who was originally
slated for Garner's role as Pete Aron), exited the project with extreme
prejudice (he jumped out a window into a parking lot and sped away in his
911, never to be seen--by Frankenheimer, at any rate--again). The faux F1
"picture" cars still exist (they're in Ireland), and Frankenheimer was going
to give me access to the 1,500 production stills he donated to the American
Film Institute.
But no, there was not much left on the cutting room floor, according to
Frankenheimer. "I used every frame," he said, denying the rumor that there
had been a "director's cut" that was never released. (I gather the "special
material" DVD that's going to be released is the docu done for Speedvision,
which--while it's mainly talking heads and not outtakes--was quite
comprehensive and very well done.)
I also lobbied Papyrus to release--concurrently with the book's
publishing--a special edition of "Grand Prix Legends" with the 1966 cars
(Yamura, Jordan-BRM, etc.) and drivers (Aron, Stoddard, Sarti, et alia) from
the film, but they weren't interested either.
Most of all, I regret not being able to record for posterity the innumerable
anecdotes Frankenheimer--a master raconteur--had to tell about the making of
the film. His explanation of how he got the stiff-upper-lip British crowd
to leap to their feet when Aron's car crossed the finish line at Brands with
its ass-end on fire is a classic.
--Steve
> >When I interviewed Frankenheimer for my (aborted) "making of" book
project,
> >he indicated the legal rights to "GP" were all in a twist, but promised
he's
> >go to bat with his friends in the industry to get it released on DVD to
> >coincide with the publishing of the book. Sadly, he died before he could
> >make it happen.
> If you can't find a publisher for your book (which I can imagine is
> very hard to find because of the limited public for your book) then
> why don't you sell it as an online book or something?
> I think a lot of us are interested in your book, especially the
> Frankenheimer interviews, I'd be more than happy to pay for an
> electronic version of what you have written sofar..
> Andre
> > When I interviewed Frankenheimer for my (aborted) "making of" book
project,
> > he indicated the legal rights to "GP" were all in a twist, but promised
he's
> > go to bat with his friends in the industry to get it released on DVD to
> > coincide with the publishing of the book. Sadly, he died before he
could
> > make it happen.
> That is a shame. I saw an interview with him and Garner (well, perhaps
> they were interviewed separately ;) where he alluded to a substantial
> amount of racing footage which was archived after the film was edited
> together. Wouldn't it be great to have a deluxe edition DVD with hours
> of outtake footage included?
> Yes, Stephen. :)
> They say that, with fashion, there's nothing new under the sun - only
> rehashes.
> I get quite nostalgic when I see the cute chicks today wearing flared jeans
> or mini-skirts - takes me back to my vibrant youth! :)
Beers and cheers
(uncle) Goy
"goyl at nettx dot no"
http://www.theuspits.com
"A man is only as old as the woman he feels........"
--Groucho Marx--
> I'm just playing the Devil's advocate here because I know this group
> has a hardon for the movie GP. Just laying down a more realistic
> perspective is all.
Beers and cheers
(uncle) Goy
"goyl at nettx dot no"
http://www.theuspits.com
"A man is only as old as the woman he feels........"
--Groucho Marx--
> >Pierre ?
> Hehe...nope, but I think you know the real answer.
Beers and cheers
(uncle) Goy
"goyl at nettx dot no"
http://www.theuspits.com
"A man is only as old as the woman he feels........"
--Groucho Marx--
Although JF was not a big fan of modern Grand Prix racing, he was quite
knowledgable about it and still attended races whenever he could fit one in
his schedule.
--
don
-------------------------------------
BAPOM
Alternative Program Covers for GPL
http://www.trilon.com/bapom/
<SNIP>
<SNIP>
<snip of interesting stuff>
Well, I was at Watkins Glen when they filmed there, including the GT-40
modified with cameras mounted on it. None of that made it into the
movie...so there must have been at some outtakes. I always wanted to
see their Watkins footage, but as you say it's probably too late now.
-- Doug
Regards, Rudy
(GPLRank -7.8)
What about the British publication "Motor Sport" - perhaps they may be
interested in an article, at least?
Bruce.
:)
Bruce.
> > why don't you sell it as an online book or something?
> > I think a lot of us are interested in your book, especially the
> > Frankenheimer interviews, I'd be more than happy to pay for an
> > electronic version of what you have written sofar..
> Yeah, and expand on anything else GPL-related - I know *I'd* like a
> Four-Wheel Drift Part II since I read Part I often enough! ;)
> Regards, Rudy
> (GPLRank -7.8)
<snip>
What a missed opportunity :(( After reading this it makes me even more
sad that the book will never be released. Just tell me one thing - how
did the get the crowd to leap to their feet?
Andre
> GET STUFFED!
> (Nordic dill!)
Beers and cheers
(uncle) Goy
"goyl at nettx dot no"
http://www.theuspits.com
"A man is only as old as the woman he feels........"
--Groucho Marx--