C
an you believe it? Easy Rider turns 50 this
year. Harley-Davidson had planned a 50th
Anniversary screening at the Milwaukee
H-D Museum on April 5th, 2019. But,
for some reason, it was cancelled. No
big deal, we’ve all seen it many times. But the
museum had also scheduled a meet and greet
photo opportunity with Peter Fonda, including a
one-hour conversation. Darn!
Well, as I write this the museum informs me
that, “Our team is still working with Peter Fonda
to reschedule the event. So far, there has been no
confirmation.”
Anyway – in case you have just landed from
outer space – the film has been summed up
succinctly in this manner.
“Flush with cash from a drug sale, bikers Wyatt
(aka ‘Captain America’) played by Peter Fonda and
Billy, played by Dennis Hopper, hide the money
gained from an illicit drug deal in the gas tank of
Wyatt’s motorcycle, then set off on a trip across
America to celebrate Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
Along the way, they encounter rednecks, hippies,
hitchhikers, whores, Jesus, hard-working ranchers
and get thrown into jail where they meet boozing
lawyer George Hanson, played by Jack Nicholson,
who decides to join them on their journey.”
But I also like this summary; “A classic movie
that takes a grainy, hard look at America and
the rift between generations – bigotry, racism,
experimental drugs and all under a psychedelic
blanket of bizarre camera work, scenic views and
confusion about what life is meant to be.” Which
is as good as any.
Now the image of Fonda and Hopper riding
their bikes across the desert is arguably the most
popular poster ever printed and adorned the
bedroom walls of several generations of youngEASY RIDER 50TH ANNIVERSARY
Celebrating the greatest biker
movie of all time ...
Above: Dennis, Jack and Peter, with
Jack wearing his infamous football
helmet.