FILMFACTS
PRODUCTION
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Like new, great looking and fully loaded with laughs
Production
Go behind the scenes on the 1980 Comedy movie starring Kurt Russell, Jack Warden, Gerritt Graham, Frank McRae
Deborah Harmon, Joe Flaherty, David L. Lander, Michael Talbott, Michael McKean, Harry Northup, Wendie Jo Sperber, Marc McClure Update Cast
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When the 57 Chevy flips into Luke's car lot, keep your eyes peeled for a large black object, which gets knocked over from the impact. It was a disguised camera for the operator to get coverage of the stunt. Stunt driver Terry Leonard, a few seconds before the flip, radioed to the camera operator to get off the camera ASAP. A few seconds later and the camera operator would've been seriously injured. Robert Zemeckis states that it was the first time he sent a camera back to Panavision in a shoebox.Rewind Archive
The stunt co-ordinator felt the impact of the 1974 Mercury Montego jumping the train and hitting the pavement was too much for a stunt driver to take. So, a dummy was put in the driver's seat, the car was pushed toward a ramp at high speed and let go.Rewind Archive
This movie was made years before CGI was readily usable, so the scene where Gerritt Graham is almost hit by the incoming car is actually Gerritt Graham and he was nearly hit by the car in the scene after he pulls over in shock to find out his car was red.Rewind Archive
Steven Spielberg who was executive producer of the movie was shocked about the lines about crooked politicians and wouldn't believe that the President would like it. Bob Gale and Robert Zemeckis joked that they were both from two of the most corrupt cities in the United States and they didn't know any better.Rewind Archive
Steven Spielberg originally thought up the idea about used car salesmen in Las Vegas, Nevada, starring George Hamilton. Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale then developed the script for Universal, when they passed on it they took it to Columbia Pictures, who were the co-production company of the film, "1941" (1979), which they had written, where the head of the studio Frank Price immediately loved the script and quickly greenlighted the film. Steven Spielberg who was directing "1941" at the time would go on to executive produce this film.Rewind Archive
The late, great, John Candy was originally cast in the film playing Joe Flaherty's role, but ultimately dropped out because his agent erroneously double-booked him while he was filming "1941." After seeing the movie, Candy said it's a good thing that he didn't do the movie because he would not be able to keep a straight face in the courthouse scene where Grandpa Munster, Al Lewis, played the judge.Rewind Archive
Jack Warden was originally cast just to play one of the brothers, but Robert Zimeckis and Bob Gale convinced him to play both roles. Warden agreed to do the role because it allowed him to do two of the three things that every actor dreams of doing: play two roles, play drunk and play dead.Rewind Archive
In the scene in which Gerrit Graham's character starts shooting at Roy L.Fuch's cars for the commercial, real ammunition was used to shoot the windshields and the headlights.Thanks to Richard Lucas
The kids who fall out of the station wagon were not stunt professionals. One of the kids was actually my brothers wife's little brother.Rewind Archive
Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale have said that there were attempts to sabotage the filming, claiming that there were props stolen from the set and that reports were made to executives at Columbia Pictures saying that Zemeckis and Co. were out of control.Rewind Archive
The scene where Rudy's commercial in the parking lot of the football game was re-shot because Columbia Pictures executives were appalled by the "Dicknose" Glasses that Gerritt Graham had worn in the scene. Snippets of it could be seen in the final cut of the film when Kurt Russell holds the glasses at the camera for an instant, as his scenes were not re-shot.Rewind Archive
The film was shot in only 28 days, which was unheard of for a major studio film at that time.Rewind Archive
George Hamilton and Bill Murray were originally considered for the role of Rudy before it went to Kurt Russell.Rewind Archive
Rudy constantly litters during the movie, this was a conscious choice by Kurt Russell and director Robert Zemeckis.Rewind Archive
The scene where Toby the dog urinates on Jim the mechanic's sleeping head was achieved by training the dog to stand with his leg up and run off. The film was then run backwards in editing to make it look like the dog runs up. Robert Zemeckis says that the dog was one of the best, yet meanest, actors that he ever worked with.Rewind Archive
Jack Warden advised Gerritt Graham to say his lines fast and not slow so that the editors couldn't get in and trim his takes.Rewind Archive
The scene where Roy L. and Sam (Joe Flaherty) see Rudy, Jeff, and Jim burying Luke's car behind the lot was an eventful one. Gerrit Graham wanted more lines in the scene, so Robert Zemeckis told him to just repeat whatever anyone said during the scene. Kurt Russell was frustrated by Graham, but kept it to himself. Jack Warden got angry and started cursing during the scene in anger. The scene turned out to be so funny to Zemeckis that he left it in the movie, but the executives happened to see the dailies for that day of shooting and sent him notes to keep down the profanity used in the movie.Thanks to Heather Dumas
This was a real car dealership - Darner Chrysler, Mesa AZ 85201. It is still there. "New Deal Used Cars", the auto dealer on the other side of the road was built on a vacant lot owned by Darner and torn down right after filming. As part of the deal Kurt Russell participated in ads for Darner's real auto business.Thanks to Richard Lucas
The scene where Cheryl Rixon loses her dress was filmed in the parking lot of Saguaro Hall the female dorm at Arizona State University. Very cold night in December about 1am. I watched this scene being filmed it took at least 20 takes to get it right.Thanks to Richard Lucas
The '57 Chevy was actually purchased from one of my friends. He made a deal that he would buy it back after filming. The movie company gave him the car back. And the car was completely rebuilt. All metal work done by probably one of the best metal men in the world. Car is now still on the road. And it's painted black.Thanks to Richard Lucas
The Stunt drivers in the car chase scene were actually members of Arizona Off Road Racing Association members. I set that up and was the driver of the Buick Wildcat. The cars were purchased from wrecking yards and basically duct tape and bailing wire holding them together. The Buick dropped the driveshaft on a uphill grade and the back end came 4ft off the ground.Next Section: Deleted Scenes
Deleted Scenes
There are often scenes cut from the final version of a movie. Sometimes these will have been seen by preview audiences, or be included in Blu-ray or DVD extras etc.
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Next Section: Alternate Versions
Alternate Versions
Sometimes, there will be several versions of a movie floating about on cable, tv or video etc. Other times, a Director may release a special cut of the movie on Blu-ray or DVD.
Aw, man.. We don't know of any alternate versions of "Used Cars". If you know better, please add one for others to enjoy. It's quick & easy
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1980 Columbia Pictures
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