American Graffiti (1973)
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- PG
- 1h 50min
- Comedy, Drama
- 11 Aug 1973 (USA)
- Movie
A group of teenagers in California's central valley spend one final night after their 1962 high school graduation cruising the strip with their buddies before they pursue their varying goals.
Director:
Writers:
Stars:
Awards:
- Nominated for 5 Oscars. Another 9 wins & 8 nominations.
- See more »
Reviews:
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| Richard Dreyfuss | ... |
Curt
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| Ron Howard | ... |
Steve
(as Ronny Howard)
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| Paul Le Mat | ... |
John
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| Charles Martin Smith | ... |
Terry
(as Charlie Martin Smith)
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| Cindy Williams | ... |
Laurie
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| Candy Clark | ... |
Debbie
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| Mackenzie Phillips | ... |
Carol
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| Wolfman Jack | ... |
Disc Jockey
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| Bo Hopkins | ... |
Joe
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| Manuel Padilla Jr. | ... |
Carlos
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Beau Gentry | ... |
Ants
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| Harrison Ford | ... |
Bob Falfa
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Jim Bohan | ... |
Holstein
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| Jana Bellan | ... |
Budda
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Deby Celiz | ... |
Wendy
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| Lynne Marie Stewart | ... |
Bobbie
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| Terence McGovern | ... |
Mr. Wolfe
(as Terry McGovern)
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| Kathleen Quinlan | ... |
Peg
(as Kathy Quinlan)
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Ty Crowley | ... |
Eddie
(as Tim Crowley)
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Scott Beach | ... |
Mr. Gordon
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John Brent | ... |
Car Salesman
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Gordon Analla | ... |
Bozo
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John Bracci | ... |
Station Attendant
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Jody Carlson | ... |
Girl in Studebaker
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| Del Close | ... |
Man at Bar (Guy)
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Chuck Dorsett | ... |
Man at Accident
(as Charles Dorsett)
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Stephen Knox | ... |
Kid at Accident
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Joe Miksak | ... |
Man at Liquor Store
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George Meyer | ... |
Bum at Liquor Store
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James Cranna | ... |
Thief
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| Johnny Weissmuller Jr. | ... |
Badass #1
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| William Niven | ... |
Clerk at Liquor Store
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Al Nalbandian | ... |
Hank
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Bob Pasaak | ... |
Dale
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Christopher Pray | ... |
Al
(as Chris Pray)
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| Susan Richardson | ... |
Judy
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Fred Ross | ... |
Ferber
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Jan Dunn | ... |
Old Woman
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Charlie Murphy | ... |
Old Man
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Ed Greenberg | ... |
Kip
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Lisa Herman | ... |
Girl in Dodge
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Mark Anger | ... |
Mr. Kroot
(as Irving Israel)
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| Kay Lenz | ... |
Jane
(as Kay Ann Kemper)
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Caprice Schmidt | ... |
Announcer at Dance
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| Joe Spano | ... |
Vic
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| Debralee Scott | ... |
Falfa's Girl
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Ron Vincent | ... |
Jeff
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Donna Wehr | ... |
Carhop
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Cam Whitman | ... |
Balloon Girl
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Jan Wilson | ... |
Girl at Dance
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| Suzanne Somers | ... |
Blonde in T-Bird
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Flash Cadillac | ... |
Herby & the Heartbeats
(as Flash Cadillac and the Continental Kids)
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
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Linda Christensen | ... |
Girl (uncredited)
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Jeannette Dilger | ... |
Student (uncredited)
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Dennis Falt | ... |
Student (uncredited)
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Warren Knight | ... |
Bass Player - Herby & the Heartbeats (uncredited)
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| Paul Lambert | ... |
Sleeping Police Officer (uncredited)
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| Ken Martinez | ... |
Mooner (uncredited)
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| Rick May | ... |
Boy In Car (uncredited)
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Sam McFadin | ... |
Singer - Herby & the Heartbeats (uncredited)
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Kris Moe | ... |
Keyboards - Herby & the Heartbeats (uncredited)
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Linn Phillips III | ... |
Guitar - Herby & the Heartbeats (uncredited)
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George Robinson | ... |
Saxophone - Herby & the Heartbeats (uncredited)
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Directed by
| George Lucas | ||
Written by
| George Lucas | ... | (written by) and |
| Gloria Katz | ... | (written by) & |
| Willard Huyck | ... | (written by) |
Produced by
| Francis Ford Coppola | ... | producer (produced by) |
| Gary Kurtz | ... | co-producer |
| Sid Sheinberg | ... | executive producer (uncredited) |
Cinematography by
| Jan D'Alquen | ... | director of photography |
| Ron Eveslage | ... | director of photography |
Editing by
| Verna Fields | ||
| Marcia Lucas | ||
| George Lucas | ... | (uncredited) |
Casting By
| Mike Fenton | ||
| Fred Roos | ... | (casting) |
| Ann Brebner | ... | (uncredited) |
Art Direction by
| Dennis Lynton Clark | ... | (as Dennis Clark) |
Set Decoration by
| Douglas Freeman | ||
| Paul Nickerson | ... | (on set props) |
Costume Design by
| Aggie Guerard Rodgers | ||
Makeup Department
| Bette Iverson | ... | key hair stylist (as Betty Iverson) |
| Gerry Leetch | ... | key hair stylist |
Production Management
| Jim Hogan | ... | production manager |
| Charles Clement | ... | post production operations head (uncredited) |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Ned Kopp | ... | first assistant director |
| Charles Myers | ... | second assistant director |
Art Department
| Doug von Koss | ... | property master (as Douglas Von Koss) |
| Mort Drucker | ... | poster designer (uncredited) |
Sound Department
| Walter Murch | ... | re-recording / sound montage |
| James Nelson | ... | sound editing |
| Art Rochester | ... | production sound (as Arthur Rochester) |
| Ryan Villarreal | ... | audio description editor |
| Michael Evje | ... | boom operator (uncredited) |
Stunts
| Bob Herron | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| Charlie Picerni | ... | stunt driver (uncredited) |
Camera and Electrical Department
| William Maley | ... | gaffer |
| Ken Phelps | ... | key grip |
| John Bonfield | ... | electrician (uncredited) |
| Tony Coangelo | ... | grip (uncredited) |
| Lawrence Gruenberg | ... | first assistant camera (uncredited) |
| Jon Guterres | ... | grip (uncredited) |
| Paul Ryan | ... | still photographer (uncredited) |
Music Department
| Kim Fowley | ... | music producer / music recorded for the film |
| Karin Green | ... | music coordinator |
| George Lucas | ... | music supervisor (uncredited) |
Script and Continuity Department
| Christina Crowley | ... | script supervisor |
Transportation Department
| Henry Travers | ... | transportation supervisor |
| Frank Khoury | ... | transportation (uncredited) |
Additional Crew
| Toni Basil | ... | choreographer |
| Jim Bloom | ... | production associate |
| Nancy Giebink | ... | production associate |
| Geno Havens | ... | dialogue coach (as Gino Havens) |
| Al Locatelli | ... | design consultant |
| Paul Nickerson | ... | elf: expendible life form |
| Beverly Walker | ... | assistant to the producer |
| Haskell Wexler | ... | visual consultant |
| Dick Delson | ... | publicist (uncredited) |
| Dan Hess II | ... | production assistant (uncredited) |
Thanks
| Oscar Hammerstein II | ... | use of the song Some Enchanted Evening courtesy of |
| Richard Rodgers | ... | use of the song Some Enchanted Evening courtesy of |
Production Companies
- Universal Pictures (presents)
- Lucasfilm
- The Coppola Company
Distributors
- Universal Pictures (1973) (United States) (theatrical)
- Cinema International Corporation (CIC) (1973) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- Cinema International Corporation (CIC) (1973) (Norway) (theatrical)
- Cinema International Corporation (CIC) (1973) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- Cinema International Corporation (CIC) (1974) (Argentina) (theatrical)
- Cinema International Corporation (CIC) (1974) (France) (theatrical)
- Cinema International Corporation (CIC) (1974) (Japan) (theatrical)
- Cinema International Corporation (CIC) (1974) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
- Universal Pictures (1978) (United States) (theatrical) (re-release)
- DiscoVision (1979) (United States) (video) (LaserDisc)
- National Broadcasting Company (NBC) (1979) (United States) (tv) (original airing)
- MCA Videocassette (1980) (United States) (VHS)
- Universal Films of India (1982) (India) (theatrical)
- Rai 1 (1983) (Italy) (tv)
- MCA Home Video (1985) (United States) (VHS) (pan and scan)
- CIC Video (West Germany) (VHS)
- CIC Victor Video (1990) (Japan) (VHS)
- CIC Video (1990) (France) (VHS) (dubbed version)
- Esselte CIC Video (1990) (Netherlands) (VHS)
- France 3 (1990) (France) (tv) (dubbed version)
- Home Video Hellas (HVH) (1990) (Greece) (VHS)
- MCA/Universal Home Video (1990) (United States) (VHS)
- Universal Studios Home Video (1997) (United States) (VHS)
- Universal Studios Home Video (1998) (United States) (DVD)
- PolyGram Vidéo (1999) (France) (VHS) (dubbed version)
- Universal Pictures Video (2000) (Germany) (DVD)
- ARTE (2003) (France) (tv)
- Cinema Foobio (2003) (Japan) (video) (VOD)
- Universal Studios Home Video (2004) (Canada) (DVD)
- Universal Studios Home Video (2004) (United States) (DVD)
- Télé Monté Carlo (TMC) (2005) (France) (tv)
- Argentina Video Home (2009) (Argentina) (DVD)
- Chapel Distribution (2011) (Australia) (theatrical) (mew 35mm print)
- Direct Star (2011) (France) (tv)
- Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (UPHE) (2011) (United States) (Blu-ray)
- Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (UPHE) (2011) (United States) (DVD)
- Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (2011) (Germany) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
- Moonriver Entertainment (2012) (France) (theatrical) (re-release)
- Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (UPHE) (2012) (United States) (Blu-ray) (DVD) (Universal's 100th Anniversary)
- Universal Studios Home Video (2012) (Canada) (DVD)
- SP Films (2013) (Argentina) (DVD)
- NBCUniversal Entertainment (2014) (Japan) (Blu-ray) (DVD) (double feature)
- HBO Max (2020) (United States) (video) (VOD)
- CIC Vídeo (1990) (Brazil) (VHS)
- RCA VideoDiscs (United States) (video)
- Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (2023) (Germany) (Ultra HD Blu-ray)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment (camera cranes)
- Cinemobile (location equipment by)
- Dolby System (acknowledgement)
- Film Production Services (location equipment by)
- International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) (this picture made under the jurisdiction of: affiliated with A.F.L.-C.I.O.)
- Radio Advertisers Bureau (commercials selected from)
- THX Ltd. (digital mastering: 1998 VHS & LD, DVD)
- Universal Title (titles & optical effects)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
It's the proverbial end of the summer 1962 in a small Northern California town. It's the evening before best friends and recent high school graduates, Curt Henderson and Steve Bolander, are scheduled to leave town to head to college back east. Curt, who received a lucrative local scholarship, is seen as the promise that their class holds. But Curt is having second thoughts about leaving what Steve basically sees as their dead end town. Curt's beliefs are strengthened when he spots an unknown beautiful blonde in a T-bird who mouths the words "I love you" to him. As Curt tries to find that blonde while trying to get away from a local gang who have him somewhat hostage, Curt may come to a decision about his immediate future. Outgoing class president Steve, on the other hand, wants to leave, despite meaning that he will leave girlfriend, head cheerleader and Curt's sister, Laurie Henderson, behind. Steve and Laurie spend the evening "negotiating" the state of their relationship. Meanwhile, two of their friends cruise around town for the evening. Steve has left his car to meek and mild-mannered Terry "Toad" Fields to look after during his absence. The wheels give Toad a new sense of confidence, which he uses to try and impress Debbie Dunham, a more experienced girl generally out of his league. And John Milner, who is seen as the king of the street race in his souped-up yellow deuce coupe, tries to get rid of precocious pre-teen, Carol Morrison, who has somehow become his passenger for the evening, while dealing with the challenge of bold out-of-towner, Bob Falfa. Written by Huggo |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | ...is back! [1978 Re-release] See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
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Additional Details
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Box Office
| Budget | $750,000 (estimated) |
| Cumulative Worldwide Gross | $140,000,000 |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | Due to the low budget, George Lucas was unable to pay all of the crew members. He offered to give many of them a screen credit in lieu of payment, and they accepted. Traditionally, only department heads received screen credit. Giving screen credit to so many crew members has now become a tradition, which is why closing credits last so long now. See more » |
| Goofs | The movie is set in 1962, but a cinema marquee advertises Dementia 13 (1963) (released in 1963). This was done on purpose by George Lucas, because Dementia 13 was Producer Francis Ford Coppola's first movie. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in Airport 1975 (1974). See more » |
| Soundtracks | At The Hop See more » |
| Crazy Credits | Worded epilogues prior to the credits shows what happen to the characters following the movie. While this has since become commonplace in films, it was considered innovative at the time. See more » |
| Quotes |
Curt Henderson:
You're the most beautiful, exciting thing I've ever seen in my life and I don't know anything about you. See more » |