February 22, 2013 - Just a few days away from the Oscars, where Hollywood’s most distinguished guests will be awarded with the esteemed honor of calling themselves Academy Award Winners, the thought crosses my mind; “What movies had more memorable cars, than actors?” For years, elite actors and actresses along with first year newcomers, have dressed to the hilt, strolled down the aisle, and thanked everyone who helped make their film a success. Not one of them however, has mentioned the props or centerpieces of their films.
We all know that movies such as ‘The Fast and the Furious’, ‘Transformers’, and well, ‘Cars’ were box office hits because of the time and work put into the automotive masterpieces of the film. But, what about the less flashy, yet just as significant cars, like, The Dude’s Gran Torino in ‘The Big Lebowski, the ’73 Volkswagen Transporter in ‘Little Miss Sunshine’ or the 1967 Plymouth in ‘Tommy Boy’. Characters in those movies spent more time in and more scenes were shot around those cars than any other, it seemed. Audiences walked away remembering the vehicles; how many of us (of age) still see a Ford Thunderbird and think of ‘Thelma and Louise’, or on rare occasions, an orange Dodge Charger and remember ‘The Dukes of Hazzard’?
Cars can literally speed up a movie when it begins to drag, and can become the star of the show when properly exhibited. So, while none of this years’ Oscar movie nominations, Les Misérables, Django Unchained, Beasts of the Southern Wild, Argo, and Amour highlight an automobile or have a car that ‘made the movie’, I certainly believe a new category should be proposed for Best Prop. Not that the Oscars need to be any longer than they already are, but credit is due to all movie participants, whether they walk on feet, or roll on wheels.
Which car from the silver screen do you think deserves an oscar?