One of the best things to ever happen to the sport (and sales) of motorcycles was the 1971 movie On Any Sunday. The film was a collaboration between movie producer Bruce Brown and actor Steve McQueen. Brown knew that McQueen was a serious motorcycle aficionado – the King of Cool often raced during his time off from movie making – and was likely to provide financing for the film even though the investment would probably never be recovered. On Any Sunday went on to become a classic film and a surprising commercial success. A few entertaining clips from the film are below. Makes me want to buy a bike and do my thing.
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Was this the one with Widowmaker Hill? If so, I remember my brother and I loving this so much. Then we did the BMX thing in SoCali…good times.
Another heart pumping post! I love this movie. Even my 13 and 11 year old nephews who race in the current age of Supercross and X Games get in to the film.
I started riding at age 2 (have the photos to prove it while living in Singapore). My dad would “encourage” us boys to get straight A’s by luring the goal closer with motorcycles. My brother achieved the educational and riding goal almost every year. I waited until senior year in high school to nab a Yamaha VMax. I still have that bike in the garage while many others have come and gone.
In 2 months I get this: http://www.dieselstation.com/pics/Ducati-Streetfighter-bike-pictures.jpg
Just need to figure out what to do with the bunny ear mirrors.
That’s it, Michael, I’m putting On Any Sunday in the Netflix order!
Alpha,
Widowmaker Hill is the second clip in. Great stuff!
ACL
a must see. the soundtrack is good too. love the iceracing…
“Manly yes, but I like it too “. One of the best…I personally love speedway racing..no brakes, dirt track…the clothes, the soundtrack..the colors, I just watched it last weekend. Coincendance ? I will say it again…I love ACL !
Funny thing is that back in L.A. we had a regular Sunday trail run in the Santa Monica Mtns with 2 hills…one was Little Widow and the other was Big Widow. Namsed after this boyhood influence.
Malcolm Smith rules!
Nice to see other old school MX appreciators.
Actually, motorcycle culture has had and
continues to have a huge influence on pop
culture and design….check out some
Super Motard action – hopped up dirt bikes
with street tires!
Great Movie! Also there is a movie called ‘Dust to Glory’ which is directed by Dana Brown. Bruce Brown’s son. It’s about the Baja 1000 and has some pretty epic racing scenes. He seems to be following in his fathers footsteps as far as subject matter is concerned.
And of course ‘The Endless Summer 1 and 2 as well as ‘Step Into Liquid’ are obligatory viewing, even if you live in a land locked state.
Dust to Glory is very, very good.
I couldn’t finish Endless Summer; it was like a bad attempt at a Warren Miller-esque surf film.
*me ducking for cover