Paul LeMat Discusses his Role as John Milner in American Graffiti.

[dragonflygurl4u]

I had such a crush on Paul Le Mat in the old days...from this, and also Aloha Bobby & Rose...now he looks like a "good ol boy" who has lived a very cool life!

[mbrand19971]

He seems like a real nice guy, would like to meet him if I get the chance.

[barfyspitz]

I always thought that the whole dynamic of John Milner and his fear of becoming old and outdated was fascinating. His reluctance to drag race was so realistic that it encapsualted his worries of losing his reputation as the fastest in the valley.

[markybgoode]

@barfyspitz Absolutely. I agree!

[vidgal07]

I am from the Bay Area and they filmed the movie all over the place, including Tam High School where I went years ago! My mom said she remembered all these young people in 50's garb outside the school gym practicing the Sway dance and she said at the time she was wondering what was going on. It truely is the best film ever! I can watch it over and over and never get bored of it!

[markybgoode]

@vidgal07: Thanks for your comment. That's really interesting that your mom saw students outside by the gym practicing a dance. Was it The Stroll? I know it was filmed in the Tam boy's gym on a Saturday. Was she going to Tam High at the time or were you? Anyways, thanks again for your comment.

[MrT5mustang]

I met Paul in Moultry Ga a few years ago . He is a very nice man and a wonderful story teller!!

[memphisdrean]

Thank you for posting this, Paul LeMat is a real nice guy. I wrote to him after I saw the movie, and he actually wrote back, (was not expecting that). He still seems like a nice guy.

[carollshelby500]

best movie lucas ever made? STAR WARS

[blinko656]

Best interview ever man. TY….

[jacob11593]

How much did the car weigh?

[Mr32ducecoupe]

@jacob11593 Welll my american graffiti clone is a exact replica of the car except ive got a 400 small block 40 over my car is about 2,200 pounds and its fast in the quarter its a scary ride...idk for sure how much the 55 weighs sorry about that.

[SpeedTriple59]

Paul was a better actor than H Ford,just a damm pity he never got a break..Met him when he came to England,with the cars etc,great guy God Bless You Paul..

[ddescvvb]

What a neat guy he is. I watch American graffiti pretty much once a year still, there is no other movie that has the "feel" or atmosphere. I find it quite mind blowing to hear the amount payed versus the revenue created. The money earned from this movie is no surprise whatsoever, so yes I agree completely with an earlier poster that Paul is worth millions for his role in the movie, not to mention royalties. All the best Paul from just 1 of your fans in New Zealand. Cheers for posting Mark.

[markybgoode]

@ddescvvb You're, first person to comment on the very thing I like about Graffiti: the atmosphere. I love the positive feeling and the world we (me) are pulled into when watching it.  the large number of funny and dramatic events that take place in the embellished version of Modesto, as well as the beautifully lit up cars with flashy chrome, and fantastic (most of it) music swirling around our aural perceptions create the atmosphere that we want to return to again and again. -Peace!

[ddescvvb]

@markybgoode Wow I'm a bit blown away to be honest. A man who has talked to the pivotal actor in my all time by far fav movie has sent a letter to my private e-mail over here in NZ. I feel a tad connected by this albeit indirectly etc. The first time I saw the movie it was just new and played at 1 of our older more traditional huge theatres which had a sound system for its day to die for. From the second the scene changed with 16 candles starting I was absorbed into the screen (I'm still there)

[markybgoode]

@ddescvvb: I saw Graffiti on its first release. It had been out several months already and it was playing in the smaller of 3 theaters. I was McKenzie Phillips' [Carol] age. It was the first movie that really stuck with me. After I saw the movie, I would watch Happy Days always expecting to relive the film but I was always disappointed. I had to wait 4 yrs until it was re-released in the theaters again to relive the magic. Now we have DVDs and we can enjoy the film anytime. Bitchin'

[surrynet]

Looks like Mels Diner used in Happy Days

[dans55chevy]

i think it was a great movie. they should remake it. and have paul in it.

[MrDavearama]

I wonder why Paul never became a bigger star.? He had a great authenticity to his work as a method actor. George Lucas owes the man a hell of a lot. How about a part in a movie today?

[markybgoode]

@MrDavearama: He IS a great method actor & he brings a lot of warmth and authenticity to his work. I too wonder why more popular roles didn't come his way.

[mamadoenut]

@MrDavearama I agree, Paul is such a great actor. He brings such realism to movies that you get engrossed in the storyline. How a real actor should be! Today's actors are totally overpaid...can't believe what Paul was paid in 73!

[david1513]

Dam i could sit and listen to paul la mat talk all day long george lucus you owe him a million dollars for his part in your movie you riped him off at 3600 dollars he was the real star of this movie,

[markybgoode]

@david1513 : Well said. He was ripped off. But, at least he gets residuals. I like what you said about his voice. He has a soft warm voice that I could listen to all day too.

[usmctanks1]

A guy who lived below me has (had) one of the cars that was in the movie (the coupe) he almost never took it out of the garage, but I finally had the courage to go up and ask him about it (1978 or so). He had a ton of pictures of the movie set (most signed) and told me it was used in the Movie and that he got 5000 from the producers to use the car. I saw this in upstate NY. I don't know what happened to it, but It may still be there!! Wonder how many were used in the film??

[markybgoode]

@usmctanks1: There is only one '32 yellow coupe that was in American Graffiti. It was bought in 1972 by Producer, Gary Kurtz for the movie. In 1978 it was still on display in CA. at Universal Studios who also owned it. The guy who told you that story fooled you. There are hundreds of '32 clones out there, and unfortunately a few people who try to pass off their cars as the real thing. You should check out my Kip's American Graffiti blogspot .com (Google it). For more on the coupe.

[shadowman2192]

He was such a bastard in The Burning Bed...Good movie.

[markybgoode]

@shadowman2192:  Yes, he was. He told me that it was difficult to be mean to Farrah Fawcett because she was so sweet.

[fairiegirlga]

I have always wondered if "John Milner" was based on a real person that George Lucas knew growing up, does anyoe know? I would really like to know, thanks !

[markybgoode]

@fairiegirlga: The name John Milner was a variation on his macho friend, screenwriter and director, John Milius.

Lucas has said that Toad, Milner, & Curt were all respectively based upon himself at different stages when he was growing up. Check out the WRITING GRAFFITI post on my blog for further info: "kips american graffiti.blogspot."

[fairiegirlga]

@markybgoode Thank you for writing back about this, American Graffiti I personally feel was one of the most important American movies of all time sort of the "great american novel" if you will, no other film has ever capturped a time in this country so perfectly, the music, the clothes, the mores and attitudes than George Lucas did, as far as I am concerned, it is his masterpiece.

[markybgoode]

@fairiegirlga: I love THE GREAT AMERICAN NOVEL comparison! it made me think that whereas at the end of the film George Lucas' surrogate, Curt became a writer, moved to Canada and wrote the Great American Novel. But, in real life George went to school in LA and came to the Bay Area and made THE GREAT AMERICAN MOVIE!

[fairiegirlga]

@markybgoode Thank you so much, I really felt that !

[markybgoode]

This is fascinating. Good interview Mark.

[sherrie85248]

Thanks for the video post! I loved hearing the background info!!!!

[iknowrosey]

There it is, very cool.

[woodzo40]

I hear they had to teach him to drive a car with a 4 speed. You hear a lot of bs but i always wondered if it was true.

[CJDiggs]

'i'm not quite as cool as he is, not quite as tough..but..close'

hehe great video post man, appreciate it