DEC4 Podcast (New): Gary Wells Double Feature - More American Graffiti | American International Pictures

This episode, we take inspiration from some articles by our leading contributor, Gary Wells, on his hit website soulrideblog.com. First, we discuss the sequel to the groundbreaking 1973 movie classic, American Graffiti, as we follow the fortunes and misfortunes of our favourite characters in an increasingly troubled 1960s America.

We also learn about an independent film studio and distributor, American International Pictures, which transformed the movie-going audience and carved its own niche in film history as the old Hollywood crumbled around it.

Gary explains;

“…More American Graffiti is just as much about the sixties as its predecessor was, but it deals more with the realities of that time, maybe it’s more about melancholy than it is about nostalgia. American Graffiti saved the realities of life for that final title card; More American Graffiti, those realities hang over the proceedings from the outset, but you watch it anyways, which I couldn’t help but feel, that’s like life; you know tragedy and heartache are real and may come at any time, but you live anyways…”

American International Pictures, established initially as American Releasing Corporation in 1954, rose out of the ashes of a crumbling Hollywood studio system. As early as 1948, the New York Times was reporting on ‘grim times’ for the major studios, with international revenues plummeting and domestic receipts down by as much as 25 percent. That year, the United States Vs Paramount antitrust ruling required studios to divest from their theatre chains, television was taking hold, and a remarkable generation of moguls was ageing, feeling battered and insecure from the House Un-American Activities hearings, and losing touch with evolving audience tastes and expectations.

AIP co-founder, Samuel Z Arkoff, had no time for big budgets, actors’ egos or highbrow critics and, unlike the increasingly bewildered old guard running the legacy studios, knew his audience;

“…TV might have been keeping parents at home, but teenagers needed to get out of the house and be with kids their own age…if we concentrated on movies aimed at the youth market, we might be able to create a lucrative niche for ourselves…”

Very special thanks to Gary Wells, to all our readers and listeners, to Detlef Wolff and Gainesville, and to Steve Collins.