Category Archives: movies

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“THE FROZEN FEW” BY STEPHEN M. MARINO | MEL STULTZ AND HIS “CRAZY EIGHTS” CREW

STEPHEN M MARINO THE FROZEN FEW TSY THE SELVEDGE YARD HARLEY MEL STULTZ CRAZY EIGHTS

The Frozen Few may be the antithesis of The Race of Gentlemen in climate & conditions, but in spirit it’s the same balls-out combustible mix of freedom, speed, and more than a pinch of chaos that’s behind everything TROG founder Mel Stultz brings to the world. What’s in store for The Frozen Few & Crazy Eights ice-racing wrecking crew? You’ll just have to wait and see… For now, enjoy this amazing short film by Stephen M. Marino that just won the Tokyo Moto Film Fest award for “Most Inspiring Film.”

The Frozen Few

“Once upon a time, on a cold day in March, a group of men known as the ‘Crazy Eights’ crossed their American borders in search of an even colder climate in the ‘Great White North.’

It was in Sault Ste. Marie, Canada that their icy, snow-covered tires finally came to a halt. A forgotten land that once provided great trade between these two countries during their industrial revolutions—now a vast, almost-wasteland of buildings left behind; lost in time…

That is, until the Crazy Eights laid their eyes and wheels upon it! Once again, this land was looked upon with great hope and promise. Hungry and wild-eyed, they set their appetites for that ever-lingering taste of speed.”

-Meldon Van Riper Stultz

STEPHEN M MARINO THE FROZEN FEW TSY THE SELVEDGE YARD HARLEY-DAVIDSON MEL STULTZ TROG

Mel Stultz, also founder of The Race of Gentlemen – Photo (C) Stephen M. Marino

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THE SHINING | KUBRICK’S MASTERPIECE OF SUSPENSE, SYMBOLISM, SETS & STEADICAM

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The Shining – the layers in this Stanley Kubrick classic are a visual feast for the eyes, full of blatant and sometimes subtle iconography. The sets, scenery, and graphic elements really lock you in. And the multitude of modern mythology & conspiracy theories that have been created by Kubrick fans, history nuts, and film buffs alike are enough to make a movie about that alone– oh wait, it’s called Room 237! (An interesting watch for fans of the film and those wanting to know more about Kubrick– but a lot of it smacks of beautiful coincidences, and some theories seem just too far out to me.)

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THE LEGENDARY BIKE BUILDER TOM FUGLE | SCOTT POMMIER’S FILM TELLS IT STRAIGHT UP

So, you may have already seen this incredible short film on motorcycle builder Tom Fugle originally shot for Born Free, but there’s a newly added epilogue that’s not to be missed. Tom’s story, succinctly captured by Scott Pommier, has resonated with so many out there that it has become a powerful tribute to a man truly considered to be a living legend.

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SHINE ON YOU CRAZY DIAMOND | REST IN PEACE ROBIN WILLIAMS GENIUS OF MANKIND

Robin Williams in 1978

Actor & comedian Robin Williams outside the Comedy Store, 1978 – photograph by Wynn Miller for Time & Life Pictures

The news of Robin Williams’ passing yesterday hit me unexpectedly hard. A lot of cultural icons have come and gone during my lifetime, but none in recent memory have felt as close and raw as this. All at once I was overcome with shock, disbelief, confusion, loss, and grief. I’ve always loved Robin Williams, but I now know that I didn’t truly appreciate all that he meant to me until suddenly he was gone.

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A LINE IN THE SALT | GREASY GRINGO BSA RISES FROM THE ASHES TO TAKE ON BONNEVILLE

BSA Greasy Gringo motorcycle 13

A few weeks back, Dan Daughenbaugh’s 1951 BSA Star Twin custom bike generated a ton of buzz and picked up the 1st Place People’s Choice Award at the Triumph National Rally in Oley, PA. To hear the story of how the charred engine was literally plucked from the ashes of a garage fire in Philly to be reborn as the Greasy Gringo is pretty cool. In Dan’s words, “They had a Fire Sale, and there it was blackened and charred. All the pot metal parts had melted off but the cases were still good!” He took it home and dedicated himself to machining it into a land speed record bike in his barn, and mostly on a mill dating back to the 1940s.

Then fate struck– driving with his family in the Pennsylvania countryside, Dan stopped when he noticed a motorcycle that had wrecked. He thought nothing of taking the guys and their bike back to his barn where he kindly fixed them up. He also showed them his BSA barn build bike and shared his humble story which amazed them– and led to a joining of forces to make it to Bonneville together and document the Greasy Gringo’s attempt at setting a new land speed record. Obviously this takes money, and so they’ve started a campaign on INDIEGOGO to raise funds to get them to Bonneville and make a film on Dan’s inspiring story.

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DIRTQUAKE USA!!! GO FAST, TURN LEFT!!! | THROTTLED FILMS RECAPS THE MAYHEM

tori tuesday see see motorcycles

This is the one event that I seriously regret missing this year!

Dirtquake USA, brought to you by See See Motorcycles & Sideburn Magazine is the self-described “…go fast, turn left celebration made for anyone and everyone with motorcycle unfit for the half-mile Castle Rock Dirt Circle. A spectacle that cannot be unseen, an event that will leave you trembling in anticipation as world class racers compete in four uncommon categories: Inappropriate Road Bike; Street Tracker; Kitchen Sink; and everyone’s favorite Chopper Flat Track.” 

Check out the amazing recap film by Ray Gordon’s Throttled Films which somehow captures the spirit of the event that to me feels like the epic The Bad News Bears bike scene on Rocket Fuel. “It sure was a hoot, and I can’t believe we pulled it off! I don’t think a group of people could’ve had more fun. It’s just impossible.” ~ Ray Gordon

(Do not miss the 4:00 mark…)

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“PENTON: THE JOHN PENTON STORY” | FROM THE WOODS TO THE WORLD

“After losing his wife (and mother of their 3 boys) in 1958, John Penton went on an absolute tear on the enduro circuit trying to outrun his grief. Family members cared for his boys while Penton dismissed the winter cold and rode off for Daytona on his 175cc NSU motorcycle. Stopping in Atlanta, Penton won the Stone Mountain Enduro, then rode the NSU to Florida winning the Alligator Enduro, and racked up  a few more wins across the Midwest– including his first victory at the Jack Pine.

Penton closed out 1958 with a road trip to Mexico. Upon hitting California on the way up the Pacific Coast, he decided it was time to return home to Ohio and did so non-stop– inspiring his brother Ted to challenge him to break the New York to Los Angeles transcontinental record.”

John Penton_June 10 1959_Trascontinental record

“On June 8th, 1959 John Penton recorded his time and location with Western Union in New York City and set off for California on a BMW R69S outfitted with an oversized gas tank. On June 10th, just Fifty-two hours and eleven minutes later, Penton rolled into Los Angeles. His record was heavily advertised by BMW, and newspapers all over the world covered the record run. Penton was now a legend in motorcycling.” via

But the story of John Penton’s awe-inspiring career does not end there. Find a screening of “Penton: The John Penton Story” near you by going to http://pentonmovie.com/see-the-film/  and reserving your tickets. I’m also proud to announce that the film will be entered in the 2nd Annual Motorcycle Film Festival in Brooklyn, NY held Sept. 24th – 27th.

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2ND ANNUAL MOTORCYCLE FILM FESTIVAL | SEPT 24TH-27TH, THE GUTTER, WILLIAMSBURG

 

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Do not miss The Motorcycle Film Festival Sept. 24th – 27th at The Gutter in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. It’s going to be a blast! The final due date for all film submissions is July 1st, 2014: www.motorcyclefilmfestival.com/submit-your-film/

This year’s returning judges include: Paul d’Orleans (The Vintagent), JP (The Selvedge Yard), and Stacie B. London (ESMB &Triple Nickel 555 Racing). And we are very excited to announce an all-star roster of new judges: Paul Cox, Roland Sands, Shinya Kimura, Hayden Roberts, Eric Ristua, Peter Starr, Ultan Guilfoyle, Amos Poe, and Chris Logsdon. Find out more here.

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THE CATALINA GRAND PRIX 1950S HEYDAY | AMERICA’S VERSION OF THE ISLE OF MAN

“The Catalina Grand Prix was one of the biggest races In the country at the time. It was a 100-mile event held on Santa Catalina Island of the coast of Los Angeles. The 10-mile course was a mixture of road, dirt fire trails, singletrack, and even went through a golf course. Cycle Magazine noted that many of the big AMA national riders skipped Catalina so as not to suffer embarrassment at the hands of Southern California scrambles riders who dominated the event.” –AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame

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It was a time and energy completely unrivaled in all of motorcycle racing history. Many of the AMA’s best motorcycle racers, local SoCal riders, shop owners, and colorful MC’s (The Checkers, Shamrocks, Rough Riders, Dirt Diggers, and more) mixing with Hollywood actors, stunt riders, and thrill-seekers– all converging on the tiny vacation island from 1951 – 1958 for an event like no other. Actors Keenan Wynn avidly raced, Steve McQueen famously attended, and Lee Marvin infamously raised holy hell. In fact, Dave Ekins went so far as crediting Lee Marvin for being partially responible for the Catalina GP’s demise in 1958–

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