Punxsutawney Phil – being the 2nd of February today isn’t just when the Wood Chuck eats us know if winter will stretch out for another six weeks but is now also known as a repetitive day. After Mr Bill Murray’s comedy movie from 1993, where a selfish TV reporter finds himself in a time loop on 2nd Feb and only through self learning of selflessness he escapes the cycle.
The photo is Bill on a Honda XL175 dirt bike as a camp counselor in the film Meatballs.
Please don’t make me angry; you won’t like me when I’m angry. The latest iteration of the green behemoth via The Avengers movie sees the diminutive physicist Dr Bruce Banner being played by as bespectacled Mark Ruffalo. His mode of transport? A dusty patina’d Triumph looking like it’s seen plenty of lonely miles. This model kit at sixth scale certainly lost is the part for any comic book fan.
Dragline: “He was smiling…That’s right. You know, that, that Luke smile of his. He had it on his face right to the very end. Hell, if they didn’t know it ‘fore, they could tell right then that they weren’t a-gonna beat him. That old Luke smile. Old Luke, he was some boy. Cool Hand Luke. Hell, he’s a natural-born world-shaker.”
Sherlock jr. – Physical actor Buster Keaton can be regarded as one of the most revered actor directors in motion picture. His deadpan expression allowed viewers to read his emotions through pure movement.
The motorcycle is a 1924 Harley Davidson JD.
Meatball – Recent biker documentary Brittown features titular motorcycle connoisseur from the Hell On Wheels bike shop in Anaheim, CA as he eats, drinks, and sleeps British iron.
The Man from U.N.C.L.E. – RIP Robert Vaughn (1932-2016) Last of the Seven. Many know him as Agent Napoleon Solo, others as Lee from John Sturges’ classic remake of The Seven Samurai. I like him as slimy politician Chalmers opposite Steve McQueens film Bullitt. [Frank Bullitt to Chalmers] “You believe what you want. Look, you work your side of the street, and I’ll work mine.”
Biker Movie – one of the lesser known Outlaw Motorcycle Gang films from 1969 has a bunch of two-wheeled anarchist take to the highways on British Iron.
The tag line is: “Vicious bikers go on a killing spree in the desert, causing would-be victims to seek grisly revenge.”
Starring Russ Tamblyn better known as Riff leader of the Jets gang from West Side Story. In this vehicle he play leader ‘Anchor’. Violence ensues but bikes across a stark desert landscape add much needed respite.
Freddie Mercury- today he would have been seventy, impossible to fathom; forever seen as that exuberant performer who stole the worlds attention at Wembley in ’85 for LiveAid. I remember when this video would come on Top of the Pops and the big motorcycle playing a pivotal role in his leathered persona was impressive to an eight year old.
I gotta be cool, relax, get hip
And get on my track’s
Take a back seat, hitch-hike
And take a long ride on my motorbike
Until I’m ready (Ready Freddie)
Crazy little thing called love
Spot the Reedus – people on the Mighty Interweb have come up with classic photoshopped images using vintage photos, postcards or adverts dropping in Norman Reedus. This Johnson Motors Triumph ad is one such example, just needs his winged leather vest.
Stormin’ Norman – Reedus that is, zombie hunter, crossbow wielder, and motorcycle rider. Likes his Triumphs as see here with a Hammarhead Jack Pine set-up scrambler. A decent scoot for haring around an undead populated Georgia.
Riding Dead – we’re binge watching our way through six seasons of The Walking Dead. The wandering ‘biters’ just don’t stop. Unless they have their heads cudgeled in, chopped off with a katana, of blown through with a 45. Here is actress Lauren Cohan who portrays Maggie Greene at some promotional event on a Triumph Scrambler.
Daryl Dixon, (Norman Reedus) crossbow wielding Triumph Chopper rider looks on. Playboy bunnies are the backdrop. We shall continue over the weekend with Mr Reedus who likes his Brit Iron.
Happy Days – a musical version of the seventies TV show about the fifties will star include Pinky Tuscadero. Super promo shoot of an aptly attired Fonzie girlfriend with bobbed Triumph.
Headroom – one thing that can be said about motorcycles is they have ample headroom. Here is Enzo (Jean Reno) and his sidekick Roberto who goes up against his free diving competition Jaques Mayol (Jean Marc Barr) in the extraordinary Luc Besson film The Big Blue. The small Fiat acts as transport along the azure horizon Mediterranean.
Mad? You must be to work here. The cartoonist, illustrator and fine charicaturist Jack Davis passed away yesterday. He was one of the founders of Mad Magazine and helped create the zany look of the film and TV show spoofs. Easy Rider didn’t escape…
What, me Worry?
Clint Eastwood: The Man with No Name. I’m watching one of my favorite spaghetti westerns: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. Only horses and gunfights in that, so here is Blondie on another ride. This is a 750 Norton Commando.
geordiebiker.com 