Harley Davidson and The Movies – Fifty Years of Movie parts
The most recent film Starring the American icon, the Harley Davidson, was called "Wild Hogs. Named after the nickname given to its pilots in the 1970s, this family comedy with a cast that includes all the Stars John Travolta did not quite meet their expectations exaggerated. Falling flat in plot and more importantly, script, the film was a disappointing attempt to capture the lure of the Harley and the thrill of the road. It should have been a surprise. Disney put together with Harley Davidson was a little like asking John Carpenter to do a remake Bambi. "Nice death scene, but did not quite capture the mood of the original!"
Hollywood however, has had a love hate relationship with this most unlikely of stars for more than half a century. It unwittingly threw the spotlight on what had been a U.S. industry standard, only to demonize the name to the extent that the Harley Davidson Motor Company nearly went bankrupt. As with most relationships, however, time heals everything. Would rise in cult status of cinema itself that nearly destroyed the company, which would increase the phoenix of Harley Davidson of fire, and make it the symbol icon it is today.
As with the careers of Movie Stars, early appearances and the pieces are mostly little forgotten. You can have a look at a Harley in WWII movies. (The motorcycles have been delivered to the army as utility transport during both World Wars to the Jeep took over as the main utility vehicle in 1942). The great opportunity for the Harley Davidson came in 1953 when he was cast alongside, or should I say under, Marlon Brando in The Wild. The film, which told the story of Jonny, the bike gang rebel, reflected the tone of the rebellion in America the time between the nations teenagers.
Unlike today however, the society of 1950 was not driven by youth culture. The impact of images openly anti-establishment that gender accounted for not cause a boom in sales of Harley Davidson, and then reach for such products as sunglasses Ray-Ban after the 1982 movie Top Gun. The effect in fact was the opposite, the leading manufacturer of the bike in a period of declining sales. Conservative, middle America in the 50s was not willing to support what Harley Davidson had become and the younger generation that idolized the Films and their stars were not yet in charge of finances to complete their dreams.
While commercially Harley Davidson was in trouble, their representation in film continued to flourish. The notable peak in came in 1969 with the film 'Easy Rider'. Once chosen as the favorite mode of transport bad guys, the Harley Davidson Chopper road cruiser open, always epitomize freedom and rebellion. Perhaps this dichotomy of emotions, so fundamental to American history and the American Dream has been the linchpin of the resistance of Harleys.
The nineties saw Mickey Rourke and Don Johnson take up the gauntlet, although in this film, was Mickey Rourke's character that made the name Harley Davidson in the title of the film. Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man once again cast the character of raw neck, yes you guessed it, Harley Davidson.
In the nineties progressed, the teenagers who had idolized Marlon Brando and biker movies in the early 50's were maturing into the wealth of America. Like an old friendship lost but never forgotten, it was these middle aged rebels of yester-year to revive corporate fortunes of Harley Davidson. their custom bikes to stand out in an audience and create for themselves an identity separate from the rest of the corporate clones. They were rebels who might have succumbed to the corporate ladder but now had the finances to relive the youth they could never afford.
It is therefore with a bit of a sad heart, that the film would portray the history of this revival and tell the story of 50's youth reborn, should have turn to be a damp squib. Maybe Harleys executives still feel the pinch of bad-boy image and so turned to Disney to tell the story. Personally, I think that Tarrentino should have gone with the courage and the glory, the true Harley Davidson.
About the Author
When it comes to Harley Davidson Motorcycles , merchandise, Harley Davidson parts, new and used Harley Davidson bikes,lookcyclesusa is the place to shop. Read More at OMDN
Pall Mall Cigarette Commercial 1950s. Dale Robertson stars.
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