Easy Rider 50th Anniversary

Celebrating the greatest biker movie of all time …

- Doc

Can you believe it? Easy Rider turns 50 this year. Harley-Davidson had planned a 50th Anniversary screening at the Milwaukee H-D Museum on April 5th, 2019. But, for some reason, it was cancelled. No big deal, we’ve all seen it many times. But the museum had also scheduled a meet and greet photo opportunity with Peter Fonda, including a one-hour conversation. Darn!

Well, as I write this the museum informs me that, “Our team is still working with Peter Fonda to reschedule the event. So far, there has been no confirmation.”

Anyway – in case you have just landed from outer space – the film has been summed up succinctly in this manner.

“Flush with cash from a drug sale, bikers Wyatt (aka ‘Captain America’) played by Peter Fonda and Billy, played by Dennis Hopper, hide the money gained from an illicit drug deal in the gas tank of Wyatt’s motorcycle, then set off on a trip across America to celebrate Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Along the way, they encounter rednecks, hippies, hitchhikers, whores, Jesus, hard-working ranchers and get thrown into jail where they meet boozing lawyer George Hanson, played by Jack Nicholson, who decides to join them on their journey.”

But I also like this summary; “A classic movie that takes a grainy, hard look at America and the rift between generations – bigotry, racism, experimental drugs and all under a psychedelic blanket of bizarre camera work, scenic views and confusion about what life is meant to be.” Which is as good as any.