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was also an Aussie surf legend and was the first professional world champion. Unlike many Holywood surf flicks, Big Wednesday had real surfers' fingerprints all over it. They said, Hey, its Warner Brothers, do you want to come to El Salvador?. But not just any BEAR Surfboard made for Big Wednesday -- we have for you the Original Bear Surfboard made for Big Wednesday director John Milius. His presence had been specifically requested by one of the films starring trio, Jean Michelle Vincent, who happened to be a personal friends of Townends after the pair had met half a decade earlier surfing at Californias Hollister Ranch. Terry was commuting from the Ranch and Goleta to attend SBCC and UCSB. Tell me about your experience at the Ranch? "Big Wednesday" follows three young surfers in the LA area (Jan-Michael Vincent, William Katt and Gary Busey). After the film came out, Bill began shaping under the Bear label depicted in the movie. Renew Premium Membership Now; My Account; Personal Info & Password; Payment & Settings; Premium Benefits; Site Settings; Help Center; Try Premium Free Now; My Account Which by contrast seem to contain the frustration of filmmaking."[25]. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. With the advent of VCRs and DVD players, it is now a full blown cult classic. When John Milius made Big Wednesday in 1978, he was considered one of the most promising filmmakers in Hollywood. Several surf legends - Peter Townend, Ian Cairns, Jay Riddle and Bill Hamilton - were involved in the making of the film as stunt coordinators or doubles. The points were aggregated and surfers were informed of their standing and which competitions would constitute the second half of the tour. Three friends who share a passion and talent for surfing are separated by military service in Vietnam, but return to the same beach ten years after the summer they ruled the waves. Several surf legends Peter Townend, Ian Cairns, Jay Riddle and Bill Hamilton were involved in the making of the film as stunt coordinators or doubles. The idea of the ocean as the new Far West is reinforced by the films references to Milius favourite Westerns, including The Wild Bunch (the scene in which four characters walk to the draft office) and The Searchers (Hank Worden, the actor who played Mose Harper in Fords classic was cast as one of the secondary characters in Big Wednesday). big wednesday stunt surfers - chanoyu.48s.jp Most of the shots of Gary Busey paddling out are me, so I kind of have a lot of those stunt double pieces. Even luckier was Denny, who got to help choose from hundreds of cute little beach bunnies. However, in the 1990s and 2000s his career declined rapidly. He features prominently in two documentaries about surfing: Hollywood Dont Surf and Between the Lines: Surfers during the Vietnam War. Terry Remick is now heavily involved with the marketing of vintage rail trips along the central coast. We never got a Big Wednesday day down there, and I was always just saying to Milius, dude, you should have just gone to Western Australia. Billy Hamilton, above, was the double for Jan Michael Vincent. Youlll see in the movie Jean and Billy paddling out, pushing under and catching a couple of waves and then youll see the stunt doubles come in. "[14], Milius at one stage intended to play the role of the Bear himself. The Big Wednesday Premiere: May 17, 1978 | SURFLINE.COM This is a great shot of Jan Michael Vincent, one of the actors that actually could surf. All of a sudden he realised hey theres a lot of shit going on out there in the water. When we saw these photos, we contacted surf legend Denny Aaberg to give us some more insight. Jan-Michael Vincent and Lee Purcell in Big Wednesday. "It was a special time," said Aaberg of the 1960s. Apple Computers was founded, NASA unveiled its first space shuttle, Concorde took its maiden commercial flight and, of equally critical importance, surfing had its very first crack at a joined-up international contest circuit. Other highlights included a complex dual scoring system and hilariously swollen heats sizes, often featuring up to eight competitors, (which sounds like a heavy crowd, but thanks to a lack of leashes and clean up sets, still resulted in frequent periods of entirely empty lineup. Write an article and join a growing community of more than 160,500 academics and researchers from 4,573 institutions. (1) Cairns in a Sunset tube (2) PT off the bottom. The points were aggregated, and surfers were informed of their standing, as well as of the remaining competitions that would constitute the second half of the tour. IC: Well, it was pretty horrible in 76. [The Wavelength Drive-In Cinema is back for 2021, bringing you a range of surf cinema, cult classics and family favourites from the clifftops of Cornwall, kicking off with Surf's Up and Big Wednesday on Friday 16th July. Another famous water photographer, Dan Merkel, was hired to shoot this film. This thing would be wrapped up in two weeks. Youlll see in the movie Jean and Billy paddling out, pushing under and catching a couple of waves and then youll see the stunt doubles come in. Browse the full lineup and get your ticket here. Big Wednesday is a 1978 American coming of age buddy sports comedy-drama film directed by John Milius. "Big Wednesday" started as a novel written by John Milius and Denny Aaberg and was initially published in 1978 by Bantam Books. The film presents a vivid portrait of a specific cultural moment both in surfing and the world at large but equally explores themes that transcend time and place, like loss, friendship and the impact of growing up on each individuals surfing path. Photo: Stoner, Unlike many Holywood surf flicks, Big Wednesday had real surfers fingerprints all over it. "[22], The staff at Variety wrote, "A rubber stamp wouldn't do for John Milius. n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; This is a faux pas of no mean eminence; after all, Miss Hale actually is Mr. Katt's mother. He didnt really surf, where as Jean Micheal and Billy were reasonable surfers, so they were down there to have fun, hang out and shoot as many scenes as possible. [The Wavelength Drive-In Cinema is back for 2021, bringing you a range of surf cinema, cult classics and family favourites from the clifftops of Cornwall, kicking off with Surfs Up and Big Wednesday on Friday 16th July. This was their first production. Behind The Scenes On Big Wednesday: Tales From The Set With Stunt It was a lot of money. Sure enough, the next morning we arrived to 4-6 perfect Cojo with only P.T., Cairns, Mark Warren, and Gerry Lopez out. Filming & Production He didnt really surf, where as Jean Micheal and Billy were reasonable surfers, so they were down there to have fun, hang out and shoot as many scenes as possible. Browse the full lineup and get your ticket here. The surfers and stunt doubles with director John Milius. They still used a stunt double for a lot of the surfing action, his was Bill Hamilton. [3] It was inspired by a short story Aaberg had published in a 1974 Surfer Magazine entitled "No Pants Mance",[4] and published by Australian surfing magazine Tracks in April 1973[5] and the lives of a group of friends who used to surf with Aaberg and Milius including Lance Carson. So he took a sledgehammer and pounded Important all over Big Wednesday. Thats not enough. if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0'; Or, subscribe to Wavelength now to get free entry to a screening of your choice.]. Im actually really stoked on the surfing in that final sequence, they did a really good job stitching it all together . It's the most personal film I'll probably ever make, and I figured I ought to do it now, before I get too far away from it. Except for Big Wednesday, none of the Milius-directed films have a satisfying conclusion. s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window,document,'script', This movie is about friendship: surfing is just the background. Most famously, hes responsible for creating the character Colonel Kilgore in Apocolypse Now and writing the films most iconic line: Charlies dont surf.. You just get treated like a king, youre part of the crew, hanging out with the actors, writers and directors. Above is George Greenough, Denny Aaberg with the guitar, Peter Townend and Townends girlfriend. And at the same time our lives were regulated by a strict chivalry code. That completely changed his mind, because here was a day when the surf was barely breaking and he almost dies, and were out there on big days. We were treated like rock stars and I still get a cheque every year from the screen actors guild. Then in 77, they were getting paid, so we were cordial. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. WL: Are there any other memories from that trip that particularly stand out? [27 June 1978] The movie often seems even more uneventful than material like this need make it, and Mr. Milius's attention to his actors focuses more closely on their pectorals than on their performances. So much so in fact, that Milius friends Steven Spielberg and George Lucas famously agreed to trade profit percentage points on their forthcoming films Close Encounters of the Third Kind and Star Wars with the movies box office takings. (1) Peter Townend and actor William Katt. Milius and his friends George Lucas and Steven Spielberg famously agreed to exchange a percentage point of Big Wednesday, Star Wars and Close Encounters of the Third Kind prior to the release of the three films throughout 1977-1978. While Big Wednesday was a "Hollywood production" and featured then popular actors William Katt, Gary . Free Delivery on all Orders Over 80. It was pretty bizarre. Big Wednesday (1978) - IMDb We had a huge bottle of water, and what they didnt tell us was they were filling it up out of the well, so everyone got amoebic dysentery. Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington, Te Herenga WakaVictoria University of Wellington, Between the Lines: Surfers during the Vietnam War. Official Sites The films success, as demonstrated by its great popularity in countries such as Italy where surfing is not a prevalent sport, was not limited to its depiction of surfing subculture. I mean, they were all just waiting for the Big Wave. Technical Specs, See agents for this cast & crew on IMDbPro, executive in charge of production (uncredited), second assistant director trainee (uncredited), sound effects editor (as Joe von Stroheim), stairs fall double for Geoff Parks (uncredited) / stunt coordinator (uncredited), camera operator: special water photography, wardrobe supervisor: women (as Ann Lambert), wardrobe supervisor: men (as Bill Minton Jr.), music consultant (uncredited) / musician: violin (uncredited), surfing photography consultant (as Roger Brown). The film production hired the Hui to clear the water for us. We got alot of emails regarding this page from folks that were extras. Click Here for starters. Release Dates Among these was Kym Herrin, who later gained fame as a Playboy bunny. No Hype.No Sponsors. "But I couldn't," he said. The fictional Bear surfboards logo and t-shirts, originally created by the filmmaker as props for the film, went on to become a popular surf trademark owned by Milius himself. After roping in a few replacements, including Billy Hamilton, to stand in for Vincent and famous Malibu surfer Lance Carson to double for the third star, Gary Busey, the crew set off for El Salvador, where the filming for Big Wednesday got underway. We all knew it was special, we knew it wouldn't last. Milius and Aaberg based their script on their own stories about Malibu, which in the film would be referred to as The Point. Behind The Scenes On Big Wednesday: Tales From The Set With Stunt There, he sought advice from Gerry Lopez, brought in for the action-filled climax to play himself, who told him in the event of a wipeout, to go like a dishrag in a dryer. Sage advice, as ever, from the surfing sensei. The board I was riding was an 86, so it wasnt really a longboard, but it worked kind of fun. Above is a distant view of the set they made, a replica of the Malibu wall, complete with lifeguard tower. He looked at these little skinny surfer idiots and he thought these guys are total pussys! Similarly, most of the sequences of the film, including the iconic Vietnam draft dodging scene and the trip to Mexico, were based on the filmmakers own real-life experiences. (1) George Greenough surrounded by his tools of the trade and (2) with his homemade housing. Jean Micheal Vincent and Billy Kat were there but the Masochist wasnt. It's about growing up and relationships and the surf is the exotic background. Shop Now, 8 OF THE BEST FEMALE SURF RETREATS FOR 2023, Where To Surf In Italy The Wavelength Guide. He encourages such stiffness in his players that Barbara Hale, for instance, is quite unconvincing as Mr. Katt's mother. When we saw these photos, we contacted surf legend Denny Aaberg to give us some more insight. Another luminary brought in for this film was none other than Gerry Lopez. IC: One day I was at home in Australia and the phone rang and it was Hollywood calling. Matt (Jan-Michael Vincent), Jack (William Katt) and The Masochist (Gary Busey) are three buddies who are the local surfing champions of Malibu in the early 1960's. Much of the authenticity of the film was due to the fact that Milius was himself an avid surfer. This is a great shot of Jan Michael Vincent, one of the actors that actually could surf. Ahead of the release, Hollywood was abuzz with talk of Big Wednesdays impending success. Hell, we offered to smoke dope in front of them just to prove we were surfers. It's a movie that I have never forgotten. Can't play on this device. Its the artful portrayal of these hardy perennials that allows Big Wednesday to still resonate so thoroughly with wave riders over forty years on. Youre not allowed to drive into the Ranch, so every day youd just wait for your car to come and pick you up. Browse the full lineup and get your ticket here.Or, subscribe to Wavelength now to get free entry to a screening of your choice.] There was no one living there and you had to come in by boat, even until today its really uncrowded. It was a lot of money. Four decades of Big Wednesday | News | Victoria University of Wellington (1) The central trio heading out for the final showdown. Milius described the film in a 1976 interview: It's a surfing HOW GREEN WAS MY VALLEY: the loss of an aristocracy, the end of an era, the passing of a more innocent time to a more corrupt and complex one-all growing up is the passing of innocence. Or, subscribe to Wavelength now to get free entry to a screening of your choice.]. Big Wednesday: four decades between surfing and myth making The surfing scenes used in the finale to Big Wednesday were not filmed in California, where the film is set, but at Sunset Beach in Pupukea, Hawaii. [7], They obtained finance from Warner Bros in June 1976. At least half the people who participated are dead now. Also starring Jan-Michael Vincent ("The Winds of War"), real- life mother and son Barbara Hale . WL: Tell me about the filming of the final sequence? The first week was fairly fraught, beset by illness, bad waves and a standoff with a gun-toting local militia. All Rights Reserved. Here it goes, the good, old story of the dog chasing its tail. I first saw this film in 1978, my father took me to see it with my brothers at the drive-in as a double feature with "Every Which Way But Loose." Warga, Wayne. It doesn't work. . "We very much want it to be authentic. We were allowed to be out surfing all the time and Cojo is pretty nice its a bit like Little Rincon at Bells. It's about love of a place, love of a time, love of your human contacts, and the loss of those things. (as Karen Rea Grossman) If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. document,'script','https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js'); Movie Info. I went there 190lbs and ended up a 170, and in fact one night I lost 10lbs, vomiting and shitting, just incredibly sick. Its pretty sweet, Ill tell you that. [13], The leads were played by Jan Michael Vincent, Gary Busey and William Katt. Back then they built the whole Hollywood wall set and we were staying in this country town called Lompoc, which is just north of the Ranch, in the middle of farmland, with all the actors and crew. I said of course, who wouldnt! Honestly, the whole experience completely ruined me for being back on the pro tour. Surfing is a strange thing. But even though we did the Ranch for a month, and El Salvador for a couple of months, they still didnt have the big day, so they just said ok were going to Hawaii., were going to sit up there and make it happen. IC: The guys were held at gun point at Sunzal one morning as part of the revolution thing, but that was before I got there. Lucky for us, Terry was a photographer, and she happened to be friends with George Greenough, who was hired as a photographer for the film. In the last sequence of the film, the three are reunited to face the Great swell of 74, which represents the final moment in this maturation process. On the set, from left to right, Billy Hamilton, director John Milius, Peter PT Townend, Ian Cairns, Ray Riddle and Gary Busey. In addition, two-time Pipeline Masters champion Gerry Lopez, who served as one of the six surfing masters in the production of the film, also appears in a cameo as himself during the final surfing section of the film. Finally, a nice shot of Denny Aaberg, co-writer of the film, enjoying the fruits of his labor. We surfed there and down at La Libertad and it was pretty fun, just hanging out with the crew. Crumple Car was a nickname for Little Drakes. Malibu in the early 60s, immediately post-Gidget, when some old-timers were already arguing the breaks best day were behind her. Milius wrote the script with his friend and fellow surfer, journalist Denny Aaberg. A lot of people never leave it. In 1971, Milius discussed the idea of writing a book about their youth in Malibu with his Aaberg. Surf star Gerry Lopez, who would. The brand morphed into an actual successful company after the release of the movie, producing hundreds of boards, and is still active today, with various people producing Bear-branded boards in different countries. In 1978 surfer and filmmaker John Milius (Apocalypse Now, Red Dawn) set out to make a feature length film for the big screen based on his youth surfing and growing up in Malibu Ca., it would become the iconic film of the 70's "Big Wednesday". Big Wednesday is the opposite of all those "beach party" movies of the early 1960's; it takes surfing as seriously as the surfers themselves. Other highlights included a complex dual scoring system and hilariously swollen heats sizes, often featuring up to eight competitors, (which sounds like a heavy crowd, but thanks to a lack of leashes and clean up sets, still resulted in frequent periods of entirely empty lineup. For those of you that dont know about George Greenough, you should learn. [1], Big Wednesday was a box office flop upon its release, and was quickly pulled from theatres after taking in only $4.5 million. "He was going to do another gun and guts macho fight film but he decided to do this; he decided he needed this in his life. IAN will be signing his new book from 6:30 to 7:30. The three make the difficult transition to adulthood with parties, surf trips, marriage, and the war. Working on big Wednesday in 77, we earned 50 grand. With this reunion, the transition in their lives becomes the end point of what the 1960s meant to so many as they see that the times have changed, and what was a time of innocence is gone forever. Buy Big Wednesday - Microsoft Store It inspired the names of things as disparate as the weekly New Zealand lotto draw, an Australian pale ale and countless storms and hurricanes. Multiple scenes required surfers to ride waves up to 70 feet . Nineteen seventy-six was a big year for innovation. director of photography Film Editing by Casting By Karen Rea . Lucky for us, Terry was a photographer, and she happened to be friends with George Greenough, who . When Milius saw them sat next to each other, he couldnt believe the likeness, immediately switching PTs role to that of Kats double instead. "Big Wednesday" (1978) is a film that was made for baby boomers. WATCH Surfing Massive 20-30 Ft Waves in Cape Town on Big Wednesday Did working with them that winter help smooth things over a bit? This is reminiscent of Dennys brother Kemp Aabergs famous pose, captured in an iconic photo taken by John Severson, below. Working on big Wednesday in 77, we earned 50 grand. IC: Well, we were in the Northern Ranch, where the breaks Cojo and Governments are. Forty years after its release the passion and lyricism of the film are even more compelling. Townend was just gearing up to embark on the tours second spin around the sun when he received a phone call from John Milius a long time Malibu surfer and Hollywood director inviting him to fly to LA to stunt double on a new film he was working on. While Milius has been forgotten by most contemporary viewers and critics, the legacy of Big Wednesday continues to live on. As part of the sequence, the director wanted big wipeouts and snapped boards, so he roped in Aussie pro Bruce Raymond, whom he paid $200 a day a months rent on the North Shore back then to repeatedly go over the falls. WL: Can you tell me about getting the call up to double for Busey? Actors - Big Wednesday (1978) Returning Jan-Michael Vincent played troubled surfer Matt Johnson.