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IMDbPro

American Graffiti

  • 19731973
  • PGPG
  • 1h 50m
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
89K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,066
308
Ron Howard, Richard Dreyfuss, Candy Clark, Paul Le Mat, and Cindy Williams in American Graffiti (1973)
A couple of high school grads spend one final night cruising the strip with their buddies before they go off to college.
Play trailer2:47
5 Videos
99+ Photos
  • Comedy
  • Drama
A group of teenagers in California's central valley spend one final night after their 1962 high school graduation cruising the strip with their buddies before they pursue their varying goals... Read allA group of teenagers in California's central valley spend one final night after their 1962 high school graduation cruising the strip with their buddies before they pursue their varying goals.A group of teenagers in California's central valley spend one final night after their 1962 high school graduation cruising the strip with their buddies before they pursue their varying goals.
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
89K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,066
308
  • Director
    • George Lucas
  • Writers
    • George Lucas
    • Gloria Katz
    • Willard Huyck
  • Stars
    • Richard Dreyfuss
    • Ron Howard
    • Paul Le Mat
Top credits
  • Director
    • George Lucas
  • Writers
    • George Lucas
    • Gloria Katz
    • Willard Huyck
  • Stars
    • Richard Dreyfuss
    • Ron Howard
    • Paul Le Mat
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 329User reviews
    • 119Critic reviews
    • 97Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 5 Oscars
      • 9 wins & 13 nominations total

    Videos5

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:47
    Official Trailer
    American Graffiti
    Clip 2:24
    American Graffiti
    What Roles Has Harrison Ford Turned Down?
    Video 4:33
    What Roles Has Harrison Ford Turned Down?
    American Graffiti | Anniversary Mashup
    Video 1:48
    American Graffiti | Anniversary Mashup
    Ron Howard Talks 'American Graffiti' and Meeting George Lucas and Harrison Ford
    Video 1:10
    Ron Howard Talks 'American Graffiti' and Meeting George Lucas and Harrison Ford

    Photos140

    Ron Howard, Charles Martin Smith, and Candy Clark in American Graffiti (1973)
    Harrison Ford in American Graffiti (1973)
    Charles Martin Smith and Candy Clark in American Graffiti (1973)
    "American Graffiti" Cindy Williams, Ron Howard 1973 Universal
    "American Graffiti" Richard Dreyfuss 1973 Universal
    "American Graffiti" Ron Howard, Cindy Williams 1973 Universal
    "American Graffiti" Harrison Ford, Paul Le Mat © 1973 Universal
    "American Graffiti" © 1973 Universal
    "American Graffiti" Charlie Martin Smith (center) © 1973 Universal
    "American Graffiti" Paul Le Mat © 1973 Universal
    "American Graffiti" Ron Howard, Cindy Williams © 1973 Universal
    "American Graffiti" Cindy Williams, Ron Howard, Harrison Ford © 1973 Universal

    Top cast

    Edit
    Richard Dreyfuss
    Richard Dreyfuss
    • Curt
    Ron Howard
    Ron Howard
    • Steve
    • (as Ronny Howard)
    Paul Le Mat
    Paul Le Mat
    • John
    Charles Martin Smith
    Charles Martin Smith
    • Terry
    • (as Charlie Martin Smith)
    Cindy Williams
    Cindy Williams
    • Laurie
    Candy Clark
    Candy Clark
    • Debbie
    Mackenzie Phillips
    Mackenzie Phillips
    • Carol
    Wolfman Jack
    Wolfman Jack
    • Disc Jockey
    Bo Hopkins
    Bo Hopkins
    • Joe
    Manuel Padilla Jr.
    Manuel Padilla Jr.
    • Carlos
    Beau Gentry
    • Ants
    Harrison Ford
    Harrison Ford
    • Bob Falfa
    Jim Bohan
    • Holstein
    Jana Bellan
    Jana Bellan
    • Budda
    Deby Celiz
    • Wendy
    Lynne Marie Stewart
    Lynne Marie Stewart
    • Bobbie
    Terence McGovern
    Terence McGovern
    • Mr. Wolfe
    • (as Terry McGovern)
    Kathleen Quinlan
    Kathleen Quinlan
    • Peg
    • (as Kathy Quinlan)
    • Director
      • George Lucas
    • Writers
      • George Lucas
      • Gloria Katz
      • Willard Huyck
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

    The Life and Times of Harrison Ford

    The Life and Times of Harrison Ford

    Take a look back at Harrison Ford's movie career in photos.
    See more Harrison
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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Due to the low budget, George Lucas was unable to pay all of the crew members. He offered to give many of them a screen credit in lieu of payment, and they accepted. Traditionally, only department heads received screen credit. Giving screen credit to so many crew members has now become a tradition, which is why closing credits last so long now.
    • Goofs
      The Beach Boys song "All Summer Long" - which plays over the end credits - was released in the Summer of 1964 although the movie is set in the Summer of 1962, some two years before the song's release. But the characters do not hear it, only we do; and it is a suitable way of moving into the post-1962 "future".
    • Quotes

      Curt Henderson: You're the most beautiful, exciting thing I've ever seen in my life and I don't know anything about you.

    • Crazy credits
      Worded epilogues prior to the credits shows what happen to the characters following the movie. While this has since become commonplace in films, it was considered innovative at the time.
    • Alternate versions
      Originally released at 110 min.; re-edited and re-released in a slightly longer version (112 min.) in 1978 when many of its then-unknown stars became famous.
    • Connections
      Featured in Airport 1975 (1974)
    • Soundtracks
      At The Hop
      Written by John Madara, Artie Singer and Dave White (uncredited)

      Flash Cadillac (as Flash Cadillac and The Continental Kids)

      Produced by Kim Fowley

      Courtesy of Roulette Records:

    User reviews329

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Thanks George Lucas !
    As the plot and the characters of this movie have already been thoroughly discussed elsewhere , perhaps I can just make one additional observation in regard to the wider influence that it had during its initial release.

    Specifically, the outstanding success of this landmark film was largely (although not entirely) responsible for starting the "retro" craze that quickly grew into a major international subculture and is still going strong today. Although, back in the '70s we used the word "nostalgia".

    The movie's soundtrack album, which was nothing more than a compilation of 1950s and early 60s Top 40 hits, generated massive sales figures across the globe and immediately triggered a flood of similar vinyl offerings from other record companies.

    Being the ripe old age of 13 in 1973, I totally lost interest in the music of the day and started to collect many of the aforementioned compilation albums.

    Again, as others have correctly pointed out, the initial retro scene was mainly confined to the musical side of things which included the establishment of "Oldies" radio stations. It wasn't long, however, before the general mood of nostalgia became more widespread with an increasing number of people becoming interested in other pop culture commodities of the era such as movies,TV shows, cars and clothes.

    Pretty soon the whole thing exploded and the "Good Old Days" suddenly became big business. And why not? There's some fabulous entertainment to be found in the archives for those who care to look.

    Give me 'dem ole' time movies any day of the week! In fact, when you look back, I think we owe a debt of gratitude to George Lucas and the gang for giving us "American Graffiti". It started a positive and enjoyable marketing trend which has brought a great deal of pleasure to millions over the years. And that's a pretty nice legacy for any movie to leave behind.
    helpful•28
    7
    • BruceCorneil
    • Mar 24, 2003

    FAQ1

    • If the action takes place on the last night of Summer Break, how come the school is holding a Freshman Dance? Surely the first dance in the school calendar would be Homecoming a few weeks after the start of semester?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 11, 1973 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Another Slow Night in Modesto
    • Filming locations
      • Mel's Drive-in - 140 South Van Ness Ave., San Francisco, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Universal Pictures
      • Lucasfilm
      • The Coppola Company
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $750,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $115,000,000
    • Gross worldwide
      • $115,000,324
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 50 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

    Related news

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    Ron Howard, Richard Dreyfuss, Candy Clark, Paul Le Mat, and Cindy Williams in American Graffiti (1973)
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