Indian Uprising Interview about Rockford Files Firebird
By Richard Piet
Here is a blog and interview I did at the 27th Annual Indian Uprising, by my friend Richard Piet. Hope you enjoy it.
https://wbckfm.com/richards-ride-extra-rockford-files-tribute-firebird-thrills-fans/
Rockford Firebird at The Indian Uprising Car Show
On Saturday and Sunday August 12th and 13th 2017. I will be displaying my Rockford Files Firebird at The Indian Uprising Car Show in St. Charles, IL. They are expecting around 600 Pontiac's at the show. The show is put on by The Cruisn' Tigers GTO Club that I am a member. We are a non for profit group raising funds for two charities. If you like, stop by my 1977 Firebird and get a picture taken with the car and my James Garner cut out. I will also be giving away pictures of the Firebird as well as some other Rockford related pictures. I will also be happy to talk Rockford with you.
Our Charities:
Association of Horizon which provides opportunities for adults with and without physical disabilities. Horizon produces Summer Camp Programs for adults with a wide range of physical disabilities including Muscular Dystrophy, cerebral Palsy and Multiple Sclerosis.
The second charity is Humanitarian Service Project. Their goal of this project is to help seniors living in the poverty experience. They delivery 95 - 100 pounds of grocery packages directly to their homes.
The Humanitarian Project also reaches out to 700 + children ages 3 to 11 who live in poverty in DuPage and Kane Counties. Their goal is to provide each child with nutritional support at critical times a year. a beautiful birthday box to celebrate their birthday, and school supplies for those children of school age.
The Project goal for their Christmas Offering is to provide nutritious food and Christmas presents to seniors, families and children living in poverty.
Featured:
Never seen before in the midwest. A very special thank you to Martin Bevis from North Carolina. Martin has painstakingly reproduced the exact police car that Sheriff Buford T. Justice drove under the trailer in Smokey and the Bandit. This is a great fit for our special anniversary celebration -
40 Years of The Bandit feature car.
FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER!!!
Snowman makes an appearance at The Indian Uprising! Well, not actually Jerry Reed, we all know he's passed on, but Tyler Hambrick has recreated the exact Kenworth rig that was used in the movie. Since we are celebrating 40 years of one our favorite movies, you bet this truck will be at the show!! How do you celebrate Smokey and The Bandit without Snowman?
The Fifth Annual
MEGA CRUISE-IN
At 4:00 on Saturday we open up the show grounds to all makes and models and The New Invaders will be back again to pound the pavement . This is a huge once a year cruise-in at a super nice resort with lots of food and live music you dont want to miss!!
Free admission!!
Last year we had over 600 cars on the ground.
Can we beat that for 2017?
SHOW LOCATION:
The Pheasant Run Resort
4051 East Main Street
St Charles, IL 60174
(630) 584-6300
SHOW HOURS:
Friday - Early arrival for arena parking 1:00
Saturday - 8:00-4:00 Cruise-In - 4:00-9:00
Sunday - 8:00-3:00 Awards - 3:00
Sunday Registration closes at 11:00
Believe me you do not want to miss this show. Hope to see you there!
The Return of Xander Cage's xXx GTO Flame Car.
Fans of the 'xXx' movie series were pleasantly surprised earlier this year when, fifteen years after we were first introduced to Vin Diesel's "Xander Cage" and his high-tech, color-shifting secret agent gadget car, we got to see this very same 1967 Pontiac GTO make a brief cameo appearance in the latest installment, 'xXx: Return of Xander Cage.'
Pontiac owner and historian Thom Sherwood was on hand in Toronto, Ontario this past April for filming with the GTO Flame Car and got to hang out with the cast and crew.
"It was yet another amazing once-in-a-lifetime experience," Thom revealed. "It was so fun to observe the whole big-budget movie making process. This time it was shot digitally, in IMAX 3-D, with a new director, new technology..."
But this was actually the second time his Flame Car has been filmed internationally, Thom adds.
"The original film was done in the Czech Republic back in 2002, during a whole different lifetime, it seems. The GTO got lots of screen time back then, flogging the back roads through small villages just south of Prague."
"It was quite an unusual sight for the locals. None of them spoke English, and they certainly had never seen a big, purple American muscle car like this roaring through their narrow streets. I've since gone back to the little village of Drhovy -- where that crazy potato cart explosion scene was filmed -- looking for locals to share their memories. There was only a lot of nodding and smiles." Thom recalls while acknowledging the international language barrier.
"In that movie's finale atop the famous Charles Bridge in the middle of Prague, the GTO got what I, for many years, thought would be its last few seconds of screen time. So, when the production company in Canada called last year to ask if they could use my car again for the newest 'xXx,' I couldn't say yes fast enough!"
Fortunately, Thom had kept the now forever-roofless car in the exact same condition and appearance as when it appeared in the closing frames of the first film, even keeping the exact same set of BFGoodrich tires mounted along with most of the special effects hardware originally installed by the studio.
This proved advantageous for everyone in 2016 when the script for the new 'Return' film required the car to appear exactly the same -- unchanged, as if it had been in hibernation -- since the original Vin Diesel spy adventure in Europe.
"The only thing we discussed that would be different was a change in the license plates since the newest film sees the GTO being reunited with Xander Cage in Detroit," Thom shared.
"In retrospect, I would have preferred if they (the Canadian production crew) had kept the iconic "KY 29-0" Euro license plates on the car, but they really insisted it should have Michigan plates to help explain the car's current location after fifteen years. In the end, however, they filmed the car just from a front and side angle without any license plate mounted up front at all! Oh, well..."
"First thing I did when I got the car home to Tucson was to put the European plates back on. Then, a long-overdue set of fresh (and safer!) BFGs was finally installed prior to a photo session that led up to the red carpet event in Hollywood earlier this year."
Today, Thom actively shows the car at various venues, and with all the commotion from the release of the newest 'xXx' film and DVD, he's been quite busy.
One big date on his summer calendar includes a fun gig in Texas. The Pontiac-Oakland Club, International (POCI) will be having their annual convention and car show in Fort Worth at the Texas Motor Speedway in July and, as a special promotion with co-sponsor Ames Performance Engineering, Thom will be giving some lucky 'xXx' fan a ride around the banked oval NASCAR track in the Flame Car. (This contest, which is open only to members of the club, is a also a prelude to his multi-media "Secret Agent GTO: The Pontiacs of 'xXx'" presentation there on July 13, 2017. For more information, visit www.poci.org.)
Below is a portion of the club's promotional piece explaining the whole 'xXx' GTO thing for the few folks out there who aren't yet familiar with its story.
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Vin Diesel's 1967 'xXx' GTO Flame Car coming to Fort Worth!
2017 marks the 50th anniversary of Pontiac's legendary 1967 lineup of Wide-Trackers. It also marks the 15th anniversary of Vin Diesel's blockbuster hit film 'xXx' which first introduced us to "Xander Cage" and his high-tech, flame-throwing, color-shifting GTO Flame Car.
This car, with its crazy, hypnotic cache of instruments, spy gadgets and weapons, has dazzled millions of fans worldwide, but we suspect that not everyone may be familiar with its legend. For the uninitiated, here's an interview with Flame Car owner Thom Sherwood.
Q: What exactly is 'xXx' and just what does it mean?
A: When you say “Triple-X,” you’re actually referring to a franchise of spy-action films (of which three have been made thus far) and the main characters within those stories. Just as James Bond is referred to as one of the “Double-O” agents in Ian Fleming’s British spy novels and films, here we’ve got an American equivalent with a kick-ass attitude and some street smarts!
Q: When did this franchise start?
A: The very first 'xXx' film debuted fifteen years ago (August 2002) with Vin Diesel in the starring role. It actually did very well at the box office, but was followed-up three years later with a related sequel entitled 'xXx: State of the Union' (2005) where actor/rapper Ice Cube becomes the next Triple-X agent.
Then, after many years and a couple of false starts, the 'xXx' franchise was re-booted just this past year with Vin Diesel returning in the lead role for the highly-anticipated 'xXx: Return of Xander Cage.' That film was released in theaters worldwide at the beginning of this year (January 2017) and, by the time you read this, it will have just been released on DVD to rent (RedBox, iTunes, OnDemand, etc.) or to purchase at the big-box stores (BestBuy, Target, WalMart, etc.)
Q: Just how similar is this to a James Bond film?
A: Very similar, actually, but the whole spy film genre has become very formulaic ever since the success of Bond’s Goldfinger back in 1964. The original 'xXx' film’s tagline (“It’s Time for a New Breed of Secret Agent”) was obviously a direct poke at the apparent aging and stiff manners of James Bond’s character, but the expected girls, guns, and global domination ethos remains very evident. What is different in 'xXx' is that the secret agents here are supposed to be more a bit more hip and edgy, well-versed in extreme sports action, and have a penchant for a particular split-grilled American muscle car.
Q: Oh, so that’s how your GTO got involved! Does your Pontiac appear in all three of the 'xXx' films?
A: No, it is introduced in the first film from 2002 as Vin Diesel’s “hero car” to help his character ultimately save the world from the evil villain’s twisted plans.
In the second film from 2005, Ice Cube’s Triple-X character also drives a ‘67 GTO, but it is intended to be (and most certainly is) a completely different Goat — totally blinged-out!
Then, in the newest film which debuted earlier this year, my car returns for a brief but important cameo role, appearing exactly as it did in the closing frames of the first 'xXx' fifteen years ago while helping tie-together the seemingly disconnected plotlines of the two earlier films.
Q: What makes this car so unique and why is it called the “Flame Car”?
A: Well, when you talk about spy cars, you know there are going to be all sorts of gadgets and weapons on board. The GTO that you’ll see in Fort Worth is the actual car from the film that made all those fun special effects — or “gags” — really happen on screen. None of that stuff was computer-generated. This car really did shoot flames from its custom hood scoop and fire rockets from the upper headlights! Then there’s the crazy gauges and dashboard...
Q: Is the car street legal? I imagine you’ve gotten some interesting looks!
A: Yes, it is fully street legal, and I do occasionally drive it to local Pontiac club functions or cruise nights. But, I’ve got to be extra careful... Once, when I was driving on a busy multi-lane road, a person pulled alongside my car in the adjacent lane and became so transfixed — just staring at the GTO and all its lights and gauges — that he began drifting off into another lane of traffic. He came within inches of sideswiping some hapless guy in a BMW!
Q: Is it a real 1967 GTO convertible, or maybe a Pontiac LeMans "clone"?
A: That’s actually the most frequent question I hear. Yes, it is a real “code 242” GTO with its original 335hp 400-cubic-inch Pontiac V8. But, it is not a convertible; it began life as a genuine GTO hardtop built at the Fremont, California plant.
One of the gags seen at the end of the first 'xXx' requires Vin Diesel’s character to eject himself from the car with a parachute. But, to do that, his GTO has to first shed its hardtop roof. And as you might know, the quarter panels on a Pontiac A-body convertible look completely different. So, in order to maintain proper continuity throughout the film, the production crew knew that they had to utilize a hardtop model to accomplish this gag. What all this boils down to is that the Flame Car is now best described as a roofless hardtop.
Q: What can the folks expect when they attend your "Secret Agent GTO" seminar on Thursday, July 13, 2017 in Fort Worth?
A: I’ve done countless hours of research on the xXx GTO legacy and have collected all sorts of fascinating behind-the-scenes stories, photography and trivia that I'll share with the audience there. I certainly hope my enthusiasm for all this will prove to be entertaining while providing some unique insights to the whole big- budget filmmaking process. I’ve got lots of fun and fresh material to reveal in Fort Worth — especially since the release of the newest 'xXx-3.' Plus, it’s always fun to do a “show and tell” with all the cool spy gadgets. The best part of this is that it all focuses on your favorite brand of automobile — Pontiac!
Q: For anyone who hasn’t yet seen any of the 'xXx' trilogy, what would you suggest?
A: Back when the first 'xXx' was originally released on DVD, about a gazillion copies of that disc were sold to the public, so today, you can easily find a used copy of it on eBay for less than $5.00 including shipping.
After you’ve watched the film, go back to that DVD’s Home Menu and peck around there to watch some of the fun “extras” that accompany the film — especially the 10-minute featurette called "The Vehicles of 'xXx.'" What’s highlighted there is the very same Flame Car that you’ll see in the flesh — minus Vin Diesel, of course — in Fort Worth from July 12-15, 2017!
Thom Sherwood and his 1967 GTO
I would like to thank Thom for sharing this story with us. It is so nice to hear he his preserving such a great piece of movie history.
Photo by Ted Ferfecki
Here is a great story about The Rockford Files. https://oldcarmemories.com/teds-adventure-rockford-files-filming-malibu/
Rockford arriving at Charlotte Motor Speedway for the April 6th through 9th.
If you are in the area this weekend be sure to stop by and say hello. Would love to meet fans of James Garner and the show.
Joe Santos
Written by Jim Suva
Joe Santos is best known for his portrayal of Sgt. and later Lt. Dennis Becker, on The Rockford Files. I recently had the opportunity to interview Joey Santos, Joe’s son.
Joe Santos was born in Brooklyn New York, on June 9, 1931. He was 100% Italian. His Father, Joseph Minieri was a mobster and was murdered while his mother was in the hospital giving birth to him.
After Joe was born, his mother, Rose, took him to Italy where they lived for three years. Upon returning to New York, she contacted the mob. Rose told them, “I did you a favor, now I want a favor.” So they set her up in business. She went on to own nightclubs in NY, Havana and Miami. She later married famed Latin singer, Daniel Santos. Daniel adopted Joe; hence the surname.
Joey said his father became an actor by accident. His passion was football. He was semi-pro during his college years until he broke his knee, permanently ending that dream. Joey explains, “After bumming around for a while, he met and fell in love with my mother, Maria. They met in Havana where she and her sisters were working as showgirls at my grandmother's nightclub, called The Southland. He moved my mother and her entire family to New York, where he set them up in apartments and helped them find jobs.”
A good friend of Joe’s was a male model and actor Tony Tostoy. One day he accompanied his friend to an acting class in New York City. That was it! He was hooked! It was the early 1960's, and he had found his passion.
Following is a transcript of an interview I had recently with Joey Santos.
***
Jim Suva: How did your Dad meet James Garner and Stephen Cannell?
Joey Santos: Dad and Cannell go back a long way. My father did a few of his early shows and TV movies, Baretta and a show in ‘72-‘73 called Toma. Stephen Cannell liked my dad and when The Rockford Files was conceived, he brought him in right away. He read with Jim Garner and their chemistry was instant. Both friendships lasted throughout their lives.
Jim: What was your Dad and Garner’s relationship like?
Joey: They had a kinship. They liked each other's humor. They both loved sports. Jim taught my dad golf. They played together often as well as poker.
Jim: What was he like as a father?
Joey: Family was important. He was spontaneous, he loved the outdoors, movies, theatre, music, sports. He loved the ocean. Rollercoasters. He always made time for us. Took us on amazing trips. He taught us manners. He was very proud of us. Wanted us to be the best for ourselves. Taught us the value of time and energy. He was extremely generous. Gave us freedom and consequences when poor decisions were made. Loving, forgiving and kind. Funny. Told great stories. Sang us funny songs at bedtime. Was inclusive with our friends. Always gave us the best of everything. Beautiful homes, expensive cars. He was one of a kind.
Jim: When did your Dad start teaching acting?
Joey: Early 90's. He decided to reinvent himself as an actor. Wanted to find a new approach to his craft and interpretation. Got acquainted with Director and Beverly Hills Playhouse Founder, Milton Katselas. He started taking the Saturday Master Class every week. That went on for a couple of years. Then he began substituting the class for Milton. That turned into Milton asking him to take over the Tuesday/Thursday classes. He taught there for 10 years. He was extremely passionate and loyal to his students. Taking them on one on one whenever they need it. This became something my Father felt most proud of and accomplished by. Eventually, starting his own school and refusing to take money from students. Their tuition was simply, write a poem or bake cookies for the other classmates.
Jim: On the different shows/movies he worked on, what were his two favorite characters?
Joey: He never spoke much about that. He sorta was critical of himself. He did say that he was grateful for Becker. He also liked some of his early film roles like, Shamus with Burt Reynolds and Zandy's Bride with Liv Ullman and Gene Hackman.
Jim: Any stories with your Dad and Garner, Cannell or Juanita Bartlett that you would like to share.
Joey: I know he was extremely fond of Juanita. He felt she knew how to write for him.
Jim: Who did your Dad look up/admire as an actor?
Joey: He loved Brando. Nicholson. He liked Edward G Robinson, Cagney, Bogart. Loved William Holden. Anthony Quinn and he did three films together and were good friends. Robert Mitchum. He always said that working with Jim never felt like work. And Jim's dialogue never sounded like dialogue. That allowed him some of their best work together.
Jim: Did he enjoy acting or teaching more?
Joey: He loved both. But the joy he felt when he saw someone else shine gave him extreme happiness.
***
One other interesting story Joey told me was that his Dad was offered Rockford as well as the TV series, Planet of the Apes. When he came home he told Joey. Of course Joey had seen the movie and told his Dad to take the Planet of the Apes show. His Dad went to his agent and took Rockford. Apes only last a couple of episodes. Joe told Joey he would never make a good agent. Pictured below is Katy Garver, Stephen Cannell and Joe.
Joe Santos died on March 18, 2016. He is missed greatly by his fans. We thank him for leaving us with Lt. Dennis Becker, Lt. Frank Harris, Angelo Garepe and all of the other characters he played.
Here is a link to Joe Santos screen credits: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0764134/
The Suva Files, Case #4
By Jim Suva
I was very fortunate to have 4 articles in The Smoke Signals magazine, in 2016. The Smoke Signals is published through the Pontiac-Oakland International car club.
Tim Dye is the current editor of this wonderful magazine. In my opinion, it is a must for the true Pontiac-Oakland fan. Thom Sherwood helped edit and did the layouts and graphics for each of the articles.
Below is a scan copy of the 4th article, from the October 2016 issue.
If you are interested in join the Pontiac-Oakland International Club or to purchase a copy of this magazine, below is their contact information.
Phone: Outside of US: (763) 479-2111
Fax: (763) 479-3571
Toll Free: (877) 368-3454
EMail: pociworldhq@POCI.org
Website: POCI.org joining the Pontiac-Oakland International Club or would like to purchase a copy of this magazine here is their contact information.
The Suva Files, Case #3
By Jim Suva
I was very fortunate to have 4 articles in The Smoke Signals magazine, in 2016. The Smoke Signals is published through the Pontiac-Oakland International car club.
Tim Dye is the current editor of this wonderful magazine. In my opinion, it is a must for the true Pontiac-Oakland fan. Thom Sherwood helped edit and did the layouts and graphics for each of the articles.
Below is a scan copy of the 3rd article, from the August 2016 issue.
If you are interested in join the Pontiac-Oakland International Club or to purchase a copy of this magazine, below is their contact information.
Phone: Outside of US: (763) 479-2111
Fax: (763) 479-3571
Toll Free: (877) 368-3454
EMail: pociworldhq@POCI.org
Website: POCI.org joining the Pontiac-Oakland International Club or would like to purchase a copy of this magazine here is their contact information.
Rockford Files Firebird to be Displayed at Charlotte AutoFair
This April 6th through 9th 2017, at the Charlotte Motor Speedway, my Rockford Firebird will be on display. They are celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Firebird and Camaro's. KITT from Knight Rider and the Smokey and the Bandit Trans Am will also be on display with some significant Firebirds and Camaro's.
The Bumble Bee Camaro from the 1st Transformer movie will be there too. This Bumble Bee Camaro is from the Volo Auto Museum collection.
They are expecting over 100,00 people to attend. So here is a link to the shows information. https://www.charlottemotorspeedway.com/tickets/spring-autofair/
My wife Julie and I hope you will stop by, an visit with us. Hope to see you there!
The Suva Files, Case #2
By Jim Suva
I was very fortunate to have 4 articles in The Smoke Signals magazine, in 2016. The Smoke Signals is published through the Pontiac-Oakland International car club.
Tim Dye is the current editor of this wonderful magazine. In my opinion, it is a must for the true Pontiac-Oakland fan. Thom Sherwood helped edit and did the layouts and graphics for each of the articles. This is my favorite of the 4 articles.
Below is a scan copy of the 2nd article, from the June 2016 issue.
If you are interested in join the Pontiac-Oakland International Club or to purchase a copy of this magazine, below is their contact information.
Phone: Outside of US: (763) 479-2111
Fax: (763) 479-3571
Toll Free: (877) 368-3454
EMail: pociworldhq@POCI.org
Website: POCI.org joining the Pontiac-Oakland International Club or would like to purchase a copy of this magazine here is their contact information.
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