Norton in the Movies

Tornado · Mar 9, 2019

Just saw this in opening scene of 1977 flick:

Rabid, starring Marilyn Chambers (yup, that Marilyn Chambers). Some pretty good riding sequences in the opening scenes...but it doesn't end well for the bike ;-(

Danno · Mar 9, 2019

The Rookie, with Clint Eastwood and Charlie Sheen features a garageful collection which includes a Commando, but no riding involved. The Batman movie with Val Kilmer as the dark knight and Chris O'Donnell as his sidekick has the pre-Robin Dick Grayson riding a Commando and The Bat himself having some classics, including a Vincent Black Prince.

Danno · Mar 9, 2019

Danno · Mar 9, 2019

850cmndo · Mar 9, 2019

Danno said:
The Rookie, with Clint Eastwood and Charlie Sheen features a garageful collection which includes a Commando, but no riding involved. The Batman movie with Val Kilmer as the dark knight and Chris O'Donnell as his sidekick has the pre-Robin Dick Grayson riding a Commando and The Bat himself having some classics, including a Vincent Black Prince.

Think I remember Kilmer walking up to the Commando, looking towards the gauges and telling young Robin he was short on fuel.

Tornado · Mar 9, 2019

The Rabid movie was a definitely B-roll fodder. Surprisingly good amount of Norton content...not only opening scenes with on board footage, twisty two up riding, but even a few later scenes of the bike in a workshop, man in a Norton logo shirt hunched over a cylinder head and then a block.
Ms. Chambers didn't disappoint ;-)

jbruney · Mar 9, 2019

Never get that seat clean.

Petersen · Mar 9, 2019

The 1962 Swedish film "Chans" featured a brand new 650SS.

Craig · Mar 9, 2019

Just One Week .... I think that the title , Commando is star of the movie .... prolly 10 years old now or more ....

Tornado · Mar 9, 2019

Craig said:
Just One Week .... I think that the title , Commando is star of the movie .... prolly 10 years old now or more ....

Yup. even has a cameo by Gord Downie....eerily foreshadowing his own demise from cancer.

Just found out the Rabid flick was an early David Cronenberg film....now some of the elements make sense in light of his later Naked Lunch bizarro world stuff....
Looks like there is a remake for it in the worx....

nortonmews · Mar 10, 2019

Is that a Manxman in the 'Chans' movie? The caption says 650SS but the seat could be red and the tank blue. The silencers look to be 650SS but the right hand pipe looks kinked.

ashman · Mar 11, 2019

Can't forget that great Aussie movie Stone back in the 70s and Clint Eastwood was riding a Norton when making Kelly's Heros, wasn't in the movie of course, but he done a few movies riding Triumphs.

Ashley

Danno · Mar 11, 2019

Danno · Mar 11, 2019

Keanu Reeves and the late River Phoenix

Bodger · Mar 15, 2019

Danno said:
Keanu Reeves and the late River Phoenix

IIRC the 1963 hit US movie Bye Bye Birdie featured a number of Manxman 650's and an Atlas. I think there was a scene where the Manxman riders jumped a fountain. The heartthrob, Conrad Birdie, played by Jessie Pearson, rode the Atlas which I think was painted gold.

Bodger · Mar 15, 2019

If it works this link will take you to the bikes in Bye Bye Birdie.

If https://goo.gl/images/4jDBbS

Craig · Mar 15, 2019

Yup that works , thanks !

CanukNortonNut · Mar 15, 2019

There is a Canadian show (tv series) called Heartland . Mostly equestrian in the theme but a Commando is in some scenes.
Cheers,
Thomas

acotrel · Mar 16, 2019

Bob McIntyre rode a Norton in 'The Right Line'. The movie is available from Duke Video.

acotrel · Mar 16, 2019

Have you noticed that in the British TV series 'Heartbeat', in Claude Greengrass's brother-in-law Bernard's garage, there is a complete 7R AJS. They usually only show the front wheel. Whoever wrote the script and designed the sets, must know what motorcyclists look for in old garages.