The Real Deal with Hollywood Movie Cars

photo credit: Hot Rod Homepage

Everybody wants to have one of those fancy cars seen in the movies. Who doesn’t want something that James Bond drives? Everyone wants a chance to own and drive one of these cars. Some people go the extent of getting Hollywood car replicas to give them the feel of being able to drive the cars they see on TV or in the movies.

The hype primarily begins with the exposure of the car type and model on television or the movies. Take for example the cars used in the Transformers movies. Everyone wants to have one of those cars featured in the movie right? It’s all because of the hype caused by the movie itself. And some people go to the extent of getting replicas of movie cars to give themselves the feel of somehow being able to drive a movie car.

As mentioned earlier, the popularity of cars will depend on how much exposure they get on TV or in the movies. There are TV shows that actually accentuate the features of a car that in turn, lures people to purchasing it. And this is one reason why car manufacturers like their cars being featured on car TV shows. If you are familiar with the movie Dukes of Hazzard, it has helped increase the sales for the Dodge Charger since the car was used in the movie. The popular 60s show, Herbie, helped promote the Volkswagen Beetle. Remember the Mystery Machine? That’s a 1972 Bedford CF Van.

The car manufacturers take advantage of TV shows and movies to be able to get the attention of the people who have little to no knowledge and interest in cars. They are trying to market their cars to children and women as well. The shows often explain the details and features of a car that can really pique a woman’s senses.

The idea here is to get more people to fall in low with their cars. Not only does the show aim for sales promotion for car manufacturers but to develop a following of viewers.

When the shows feature Hollywood stunt cars, the show also promotes the movie. This ends up on a double promotion for the movie and the car manufacturer itself. This in turn, increases sales not only for the car manufacturers but also for the production company.

There is a lot of talk about Hollywood stunt cars going on. This is made evident by the rise of Internet channels that actually host car TV shows. A lot of people access the Internet to get information about their favorite cars or how to make replicas of Movie cars. And this avenue has been seen as a great way for media to be able to attract a bigger audience for the TV show, thus attracting a bigger audience and a bigger market for car manufacturers as well. This will surely be able to help increase car sales. They are not only concentrating on the local market. But they are also tapping a global market to sell these fancy Hollywood stunt cars.

Car 54 ~ The Movie that should never been…

In 1994 some studio head had the not so bright idea to make a movie based on the 1960′s TV show, Car 54 Where are You?  It was doomed to failure.

Making Car 54 without the unique chemistry of the original actors, Joe E. Ross and Fred Gwynne was like trying to make a new version of The Honeymooners without Jackie Gleeson.

Take a look at the movie trailer and then compare it to some classic clips of the show.  Am I right? or What?

A bit zany and certainly mild by today’s standards, Car 54 was a popular series that ran from September 17th, 1961 until September 8th 1963.

The series starred Joe E. Ross as Officer Gunther Toody and Fred Gwynne as Officer Francis Muldoon. The chemistry between the two stars was the deciding factor on the shows success.

Following the often hilarious adventures of the fictional 53rd precinct in The Bronx, New York, the show was actually shot in parts of the Bronx as well as Biograph Studios.

To keep from alarming the public, the studios had all the police cars painted a bright red. Thankfully with the Black and White filming of the day, the cars showed up in a perfect shade of black and white on film.

Additional Cast members included Hank Garrett as Officer Ed Nicholson, Jim Gormley as Officer Nelson, Albert Henderson as Officer Dennis O’Hara, Bruce Kirby as Officer Kissel, Al Lewis as Officer Leo Schnauser, and the reuniting of Beatrice Pons with Joe E. Lewis (formerly, husband and wife on Sgt Bilko) as Lucile Toody.

Charlotte Rae portrayed Sylvia Schnauser, Paul Reed was Capt. Paul Block, Joe Warren was Officer Steinmetz and the amazing Nipsey Russell stepped in as Officer Anderson.

Quite an impressive cast for it’s time.

Equally impressive was the catchy opening tune and catch phrase that can still bring a smile today. “Car 54…Where are you?

Several episodes guest starred some familiar faces including this one with Tom Bosley who later went on to star in Happy Days.