Guzzi is Cool, but Billy Jack rode a Triumph

[Rough Edge racing]

   


           

[sign216]

The photo is legit.  It was taken at the studio with color still camera film.  It's not a frame from an outtake from the movie.

I've never seen an explanation for the photo, but it's been public for as long as I can remember.  Maybe it was his bike, or a friend's bike at the studio.  Who knows?  Like you, I don't recall seeing a Guzzi single in the movie.  But, then, there were a lot of supporting bikes in that movie.

On an Italian Facebook page the photo was discussed.  An American, Steve Freeman, said "It’s genuine. Still photos for advertising are taken separately to the “moving” reel film. When it came to taking a still for The Wild One” Brando saw the Guzzi belonging to a crew member and decided that it looked better then the Triumph."

Interesting.  Guess that solves the question.
Joe

P.S.  Can someone w skills examine the photo to see if it's "photo-shopped?"  Point out the discrepancies. 

[kidsmoke]

1971. Diamonds are Forever

[LowRyter]

   


           

winner winner, chicken dinner

[ken farr]

   


           

Quite the photo.
Keenan Wynn was quite the motor rider.  He did a low budget police bike film, he did all the riding.  Code 3, I think.  My dad rode with him a few times.
Andy Devine was also quite active back then.
James Coburn.  He was the real deal.  The saying was, Marlon Brando was an actor playing a tough guy, but James Coburn was tough guy who happened to act.

[sign216]

Taken during filming of The Wild One, though in the film his ride was a bobbed Matchless.

On an Italian Facebook Guzzi page (MG World Club) some say the above photo is "photoshopped."  That the pictured handlebar isn't correct for a Guzzi.  They also offer this analysis done on another Italian Guzzi site.  Sadly this is in Italian.  Can anyone give me the gist of it?




   

[kidsmoke]

On an Italian Facebook Guzzi page (MG World Club) some say the above photo is "photoshopped."  That the pictured handlebar isn't correct for a Guzzi. 

They sure went to a lot of trouble. Here's another, shows a bit more of the bike.

[RinkRat II]

   
As a minor point of clarification, the gent next to Keenan Wynn is Lee Marvin. AKA Chino  in The Wild One.

           

        Paul B

[bobrebos]

You can keep the rest😉

Bingo!   

[Moto]

The motorcycle Brando rode in The Wild One was his own personal bike, a 6T (650cc) Triumph Thunderbird, not a Speed Twin. To my recollection he never rode a Matchless in the film, though there was at least one in it. It's a great showcase for a variety of contemporary bikes.

Moto

[JukeboxGothic]

Someone posted a picture of Clint Eastwood on a Norton. If I remember correctly he bought it from the factory and there was a lot of trouble as he wasn't meant to ride during filming. I think it was during the filming for,   Where eagles dare. As for Guzzis on film police Falcones in the original Italian Job. One really forgettable one was, "1990 the Bronx warriors" Moto Guzzi Californian.    https://youtu.be/BgUoPOW4nW8

[Mr Pootle]

 Let's get into 2018, and British television. Google "Killing Eve motorcycle. I can't work out how to post it here, but I'm sure someone will manage it.

[Dave Swanson]

Let's get into 2018, and British television. Google "Killing Eve motorcycle. I can't work out how to post it here, but I'm sure someone will manage it.

Nice V7