Posted on 03/23/2009 11:24:45 PM PDT by ReformationFan
Something you wont hear or read about as McQueen enters a chic status among the Beautiful Poseurs that wouldve revolted him, is that he was a true iconoclast: a born-again Christian and conservative Republican who backed the Vietnam War. Keep in mind this was during the 60s and 70s when his generation of Hollywood was as liberal and hyper-politicized as todays generation, only talented.
(Excerpt) Read more at libertyfilmfestival.com ...
Here's also the unforgettable car chase from Bullitt-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-7IEPTAoTg
BTTT
Steve McQueen's Desert Racer
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/driving/news/article5572854.ece
Steve McQueen's Desert Racer motorcycle is to be built and sold in the UK. The Métisse Desert Racer, a replica of one of McQueen's own bikes that he adapted with Bud Ekins - the stunt rider in The Great Escape - will be made by Oxfordshire-based Métisse Motorcycles, produced with the full endorsement of the McQueen estate.
He was one of a kind. Neile McQueen, his first wife, wrote a great autobiography and he is central in it. Great reading.
He was great in “The Blob” and “Wanted Dead or Alive,” along with everything else that came afterward.
I knew him through work in the 1970s. He was very intense, serious, shy.
He was always great in action roles - but was AWESOME in “Love With A Proper Stranger” with Natalie Wood ...
Steve McQueen actually wanted to do the ‘cycle jumps into the border fence in The Great Escape (he did most of the riding) but the movie’s insurer put its foot down and would nto allow it.
I spent 20 minutes showing Steve McQueen how to wash snakes when he slipped into the pet store I managed to escape all the crazy women trying to find him when he visited a mall in his fiance’s home town (Corvallis, OR). Very nice gentleman; shorter than he looked on screen though.
I loved both of them in that movie (especially the scene when she throws him out of her apartment).....He was also good in Thomas Crown Affair.
He also turned in a great performance in “The Towering Inferno”. Played a believable fire chief. Decent movie, too. Always liked his work. Still do.
Your Sooo Right. This photo is Steve’s stunt double doing the famous “fence” jump.
(I captured it off the DVD, with the director commentary stating so.)
Love the movie, specially the ‘moonshine’ scenes!
That’s a nice story. Was this during the late ‘70s? I know McQueen became a Christian around that time period.
I just watched the 2nd half of Nevada Smith(1965) on TCM in honor of his birthday. A classic western directed by Henry Hathaway(The Sons of Katie Elder) and co-starred McQueen with the late Suzanne Pleshette(RIP, as well), an actress he should have appeared with more often IMHO.
I thought he was the "Cooler King." :-)
-PJ
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