American Graffiti: One Song at a Time

You want more? We’ve got more… More American Graffiti, that is! Doris, Rachel, and Tierney crowd into the booth to talk about four storylines spread across four New Year’s Eves in the mid ‘60s. This episode covers A LOT: melting ice sculptures, Carol calling herself Rainbow, Apocalypse Lite, and a trip down memory lane courtesy of Hawaiian Punch. We also address the creeps galore in the film, how amazing Candy Clark is, Terry Le Tigre, and that no one cares about Andy (aka Not Curt). Come hang out at Mel’s Listeners’ Drive In on Facebook and @vcrprivileges on Twitter and Instagram Artwork by Alex Robinson Music by Sankta Eugenia Vokalensemble

“All Summer Long” by The Beach Boys plays as the credits roll. Doris saves the day by coming up with a good reason to use a song from 1964 here, Tierney has a lot of feelings about California, and Rachel wonders if “More American Graffiti” will just blow this film out of the water. (Probably not.) Grab your marimba mallets and play along! Sittin’ in my car outside your house/(Sittin’ in my car outside your house)… Come hang out at Mel’s Listeners’ Drive In on Facebook and @vcrprivileges on Twitter and Instagram Artwork by Alex Robinson Music by Chris Frain

No music but plenty of feelings as George Lucas punches us all in the gut with the coda to this movie. Doris, Rachel, and Tierney are back to talk about the future of John and Carol’s friendship, to debate why Terry joined the army and if Steve is happy being an insurance agent, and to learn about amnesty later offered to draft dodgers living in Canada. Come hang out at Mel’s Listeners’ Drive In on Facebook and @vcrprivileges on Twitter and Instagram Artwork by Alex Robinson Music by Chris Frain

“Goodnight Sweetheart Goodnight” by The Spaniels plays as Curt says goodbye, boards his plane, and flies off into the future. All 3 DJs reunite to talk about the Happy Days parents, Steve’s college plans, aspirational book packing, Magic Carpet Airlines, and Curt annoying the other passengers with his radio. Also one last chance to objectify Milner in his black Levis. Come hang out at Mel’s Listeners’ Drive In on Facebook and @vcrprivileges on Twitter and Instagram Artwork by Alex Robinson Music by Chris Frain

“Only You” by The Platters plays as Milner hands Falfa his hat before he and Toad drive off into the sunrise. Meanwhile, Curt gets the call from his dream girl and the Wolfman closes out his radio show. Chris Callaghan and Chris Gore of Notes from the Underground join Tierney to talk about coming of age stories, Ringo Starr, the best songs to play when you need a break during your overnight radio show, class rings, and Dreyfuss’s acting throughout the phone call. Come hang out at Mel’s Listeners’ Drive In on Facebook and @vcrprivileges on Twitter and Instagram Artwork by Alex Robinson Music by Chris Frain

“Green Onions” by Booker T & the MGs plays as Milner and Falfa race. Falfa’s car rolls, almost killing him and Laurie. Steve arrives on the scene just in time to pledge to a hysterical Laurie that he’ll never leave her. Pete Mummert of Indiana Jones Minute joins Tierney to talk about uncooperative stunt cars, Indiana University’s own Booker T. Jones, flashlights, what happens to Falfa after his car explodes, and why Steve chooses to stay. Come hang out at Mel’s Listeners’ Drive In on Facebook and @vcrprivileges on Twitter and Instagram Artwork by Alex Robinson Music by Chris Frain

“Heart and Soul” by The Cleftones plays as Falfa and Milner agree where to race and everyone in town drives out to watch—everyone, that is, except Curt who heads to Mel’s to listen to his dedication and wait for his dream girl. Travis Bow of Reel Comic Heroes joins Tierney to talk about Harrison Ford channeling Han Solo in this movie, his introduction to the film via PTR singing, the actual Paradise Road, and Travis’s years as a real-life John Milner. Come hang out at Mel’s Listeners’ Drive In on Facebook and @vcrprivileges on Twitter and Instagram Artwork by Alex Robinson Music by Chris Frain

“A Thousand Miles Away” by The Heartbeats plays as Curt is told that the real Wolfman Jack just drops off tapes and won’t be able to play his dedication asap. When he tells the dj why he needs it to air tonight, they end up having a heart-to-heart. Eric Nash of Feels Like Weezer joins Tierney to talk about George Lucas’s USC student film The Emperor, Laura Sterritt’s curation of metal music (here), Richard Dreyfuss’s amazing disappointed face, and how Eric fell in love with radio. (Also, how to choose your DJ name.) Come hang out at Mel’s Listeners’ Drive In on Facebook and @vcrprivileges on Twitter and Instagram Artwork by Alex Robinson Music by Chris Frain

“Crying in the Chapel” by The Orioles plays as Debbie gives Terry a second chance by making a date for tomorrow night, then Curt goes to KRE in Berkeley to find Wolfman Jack. Heidi Bennett of Vibrant Visionaries joins Tierney to talk about the movie’s Nighthawks at the Diner moment, Terry’s Indiana Jones moment, that Orioles magic, how Robert Weston Smith became Wolfman Jack, and on-air personas. We also give a ton of recommendations: Streetlight Harmonies documentary Vibrant Visionaries: Streetlight Harmonies: A Doo-Wop Doc podcast episode interviewing director Brent Wilson Always Magic in the Air book California Historical Radio Society Charlatan book Sawbones: The Goat Testicle Solution podcast episode Have Mercy book Please Kill Me: The Uncensored Oral History of Punk book Who Charted podcast Clint Howard as a dj in That Thing You Do! Come hang out at Mel’s Listeners’ Drive In on Facebook and @vcrprivileges on Twitter and Instagram Artwork by Alex Robinson Music by Chris Frain

“Teen Angel” by Mark Dinning plays as Steve finds out Laurie is driving around with Bob Falfa and takes his car back from Terry to go after her. Terry gives up and finally tells Debbie the truth. Bryon Lockhart of The Marine Corps Movie Minute joins Rachel to talk about depressing teen tragedy songs, symbolic salt, these two original mean girls, Terry’s order, and Bob Falfa’s family. Come hang out at Mel’s Listeners’ Drive In on Facebook and @vcrprivileges on Twitter and Instagram Artwork by Alex Robinson Music by Chris Frain

“Chantilly Lace” by The Big Bopper plays as Toad tries to steal back the car and John rescues him from a fight. Jim O’Kane of The Rocketeer Minute Podcast rejoins Rachel to talk about Tarzan’s son, Milner at his most Han Solo, the importance of protecting Charles Martin Smith at all costs, what music might have been if the plane hadn’t crashed, and how to hotwire an Impala. Come hang out at Mel’s Listeners’ Drive In on Facebook and @vcrprivileges on Twitter and Instagram Artwork by Alex Robinson Music by Chris Frain

No soundtrack needed as poor Toad is sick in front of an audience, Debbie proves herself the most unflappable date ever, and John gets ready to race Falfa. Jim O’Kane from The Best Minutes Podcast joins Rachel to talk about seeing this movie in theaters the summer before starting high school, debate who the main character of the film is, and explain what John actually did to his car to make it faster. Come hang out at Mel’s Listeners’ Drive In on Facebook and @vcrprivileges on Twitter and Instagram Artwork by Alex Robinson Music by Chris Frain

Things are awkward between Laurie and Bob Falfa so of course his solution is to serenade her with “Some Enchanted Evening”. Today’s song is performed by Harrison Ford doing his best Ezio Pinza impression. Pete the Retailer (of petetheretailer.com) rejoins Rachel to talk about why on earth Falfa chooses this to break the silence, what might have been if Cindy Williams had played Princess Leia instead of Shirley, and the possible future of hot rods. Come hang out at Mel’s Listeners’ Drive In on Facebook and @vcrprivileges on Twitter and Instagram Artwork by Alex Robinson Music by Chris Frain

No song as Curt flexes his auto mechanic skills on the broken down Citroen while Steve tries to argue against going away to college. Pete the Retailer from Star Wars Minute joins Rachel to talk about Curt and Steve’s sudden role reversal, questionable line reading choices, and, of course, George Lucas as a filmmaker. Come hang out at Mel’s Listeners’ Drive In on Facebook and @vcrprivileges on Twitter and Instagram Artwork by Alex Robinson Music by Chris Frain

“Since I Don’t Have You” by The Skyliners plays as a crying Laurie gets over her heartbreak by getting into Bob Falfa’s car. Also, John finally gets to drop Carol off at home. Christy Porter of The Indiana Jones Minute rejoins Doris to talk about the amazing contrasts drawn between these two “couples”, the completion of John and Carol’s Mandalorian arc, and why on earth Laurie would go for Falfa with his ridiculous car decor. Come hang out at Mel’s Listeners’ Drive In on Facebook and @vcrprivileges on Twitter and Instagram Artwork by Alex Robinson Music by Chris Frain

“Love Potion #9” by The Clovers plays as the Pharaohs return a giddy-as-a-schoolboy Curt to his car. His life is turned upside down once again when he goes to chase down the dream blonde only to find that his car won’t start. Christy Porter of The Indiana Jones Minute joins Doris to talk about choosing a college, Curt’s luck or lack thereof, the surprising relevancy of this song to the scene, and seeing the movie for the first time. Come hang out at Mel’s Listeners’ Drive In on Facebook and @vcrprivileges on Twitter and Instagram Artwork by Alex Robinson Music by Chris Frain

Yesterday’s song ends as the scene shifts to a silent Steve drinking coffee in the diner. Budda joins him to talk about wanting to hang out—just in time for Laurie to see them. Tom Taylor of ABCD:TOS rejoins Doris to talk about Budda’s motivations, playing Yes on jukeboxes, and diners around the world. Come hang out at Mel’s Listeners’ Drive In on Facebook and @vcrprivileges on Twitter and Instagram Artwork by Alex Robinson Music by Chris Frain

“You’re Sixteen” by Johnny Burnette plays as John “seduces” Carol into giving him her address so he can finally take her home. Tom Taylor of The Indiana Jones Minute joins Doris to talk about what Ringo Starr and Carrie Fisher have to do with this scene, teenagers showing their kid-ness, and why John finally risks this move to get Carol out of the car. Come hang out at Mel’s Listeners’ Drive In on Facebook and @vcrprivileges on Twitter and Instagram Artwork by Alex Robinson Music by Chris Frain

“Come Go With Me” by The Del Vikings plays as Curt destroys a cop car. Stand by for justice! Jay Cluitt of Deep Blue Sea: The Podcast joins Doris to talk about this movie’s foray into Blues Brothers territory, the Del Viking that became a German pop star, and Jerry’s Cherries used car lot. Come hang out at Mel’s Listeners’ Drive In on Facebook and @vcrprivileges on Twitter and Instagram Artwork by Alex Robinson Music by Chris Frain

“Party Doll” by Buddy Knox plays as Curt cruises with the feisty Pharaohs and our weary wanderers head back to Burger City. This is the section where Curt proves he is not a ninja as they set up the cop car prank. Dave Pallas of 5 Minutes of Mystery joins Rachel to talk about what makes a car cool, the symbolism of Curt’s obsession with the blonde and his stepping off the Moose Lodge path, and why this film should be part of The Fast & the Furious Universe. Come hang out at Mel’s Listeners’ Drive In on Facebook and @vcrprivileges on Twitter and Instagram Artwork by Alex Robinson Music by Chris Frain