Post by ChrisM on Aug 10, 2019 20:26:13 GMT
Some of you may know that I'm a great fan of James Garner in The Rockford Files.
Just come across this:
driving.ca/cadillac/auto-news/entertainment/famous-for-acting-but-a-racer-at-heart-the-cars-of-james-garner
Extract:
Whenever a list of the greatest racing movies of all time is compiled, two always seem to rise to the top: McQueen’s LeMans, and Garner’s Grand Prix. Both are characterized by not having much in the way of plot, but plenty of incredibly realistic racing footage, shot in the days before CGI.
Grand Prix is of particular interest as it was shot in a race against another McQueen movie, one that was never actually completed. McQueen was intended to star in Grand Prix, but walked out of the film after a meeting, and director John Frankenheimer had his work cut out for him after several rolls of footage shot at the Nürburgring had to be handed over thanks to a studio contract.
However, when James Garner came on board, the film had the star it needed. The cars used were mostly Formula 3 and Formula 2 cars mocked up to look like the faster, more dangerous Formula 1 cars – in Garner’s case, older Lotus and BRM machines with cladding to resemble Hondas. Most of the actors were only borderline capable behind the wheel, with one being completely unable to handle the tricky, cylindrically shaped cars. Garner, on the other hand, took to the circuit as if he’d been racing his whole life.
Parts of the filming required a sequence shot over three or four corners around an actual F1 circuit such as Brands Hatch. Then, when the cameras were out of the way, there was a sprint around the back half of the track to get back in position. Grand Prix employed a number of professional drivers, including Graham Hill, Jack Brabham, Jackie Stewart, and Jöchen Rindt. Garner so effectively diced it up with these greats in the free-for-all that they reportedly remarked that he could have competed in Formula 1 – and at one point, Rindt had to abashedly admit that he couldn’t keep up to Garner during a filmed chase scene.
In fact, Garner was enough of a hot shoe that it became a problem. First, the insurance company Lloyds of London became understandably vexed to learn that the star of the show was reaching speeds of over 200km/h in the rain. Next, when Garner’s car caught fire during a butane-fuelled stunt and he opted to keep driving until the shot was in the can, they pulled insurance entirely. He drove without coverage for the rest of the filming.
Just come across this:
driving.ca/cadillac/auto-news/entertainment/famous-for-acting-but-a-racer-at-heart-the-cars-of-james-garner
Extract:
Whenever a list of the greatest racing movies of all time is compiled, two always seem to rise to the top: McQueen’s LeMans, and Garner’s Grand Prix. Both are characterized by not having much in the way of plot, but plenty of incredibly realistic racing footage, shot in the days before CGI.
Grand Prix is of particular interest as it was shot in a race against another McQueen movie, one that was never actually completed. McQueen was intended to star in Grand Prix, but walked out of the film after a meeting, and director John Frankenheimer had his work cut out for him after several rolls of footage shot at the Nürburgring had to be handed over thanks to a studio contract.
However, when James Garner came on board, the film had the star it needed. The cars used were mostly Formula 3 and Formula 2 cars mocked up to look like the faster, more dangerous Formula 1 cars – in Garner’s case, older Lotus and BRM machines with cladding to resemble Hondas. Most of the actors were only borderline capable behind the wheel, with one being completely unable to handle the tricky, cylindrically shaped cars. Garner, on the other hand, took to the circuit as if he’d been racing his whole life.
Parts of the filming required a sequence shot over three or four corners around an actual F1 circuit such as Brands Hatch. Then, when the cameras were out of the way, there was a sprint around the back half of the track to get back in position. Grand Prix employed a number of professional drivers, including Graham Hill, Jack Brabham, Jackie Stewart, and Jöchen Rindt. Garner so effectively diced it up with these greats in the free-for-all that they reportedly remarked that he could have competed in Formula 1 – and at one point, Rindt had to abashedly admit that he couldn’t keep up to Garner during a filmed chase scene.
In fact, Garner was enough of a hot shoe that it became a problem. First, the insurance company Lloyds of London became understandably vexed to learn that the star of the show was reaching speeds of over 200km/h in the rain. Next, when Garner’s car caught fire during a butane-fuelled stunt and he opted to keep driving until the shot was in the can, they pulled insurance entirely. He drove without coverage for the rest of the filming.
