One of my all time favourite films:
The Wild One. 1953
'The story took a cue from an actual biker street party on the Fourth of July weekend in 1947 in Hollister, California that was elaborately trumped up in the July 21, 1947 issue of Life Magazine, and dubbed the Hollister riot, with staged photographs of wild motorcycle outlaw revelers. '
As if the photo above wasn't enough to shock the general public, Stanley Kramer made a movie about it which instantly drew a cult following.
Controversy surrounded this film from day one, it found it's way to a dead end ban by censors in the UK for fourteen years! Finally the film was released in November, 1967 under an 'X' certificate and viewed first at the 59 club in 1968. It was also said that Johnson Motors (importers of Triumph Motorcycles USA) objected to the use of the 6t Triumph in the film.
Marlon Brando's portrayal of Johnny Strabler has become legendary. Johnnys' image remains iconic even today. His leather jacket, tilted cap, Triumph motorcycle and long sideburns also inspired James Dean and Elvis Presley amongst others. The Jacket worn by Johnny is known as the 'Brando Jacket'. Now that's influence!
