Hollister
– Is Hollister ready for its closeup?
Hollister – Is Hollister ready for its closeup?
Filmmaker Greg Carson thinks so. He plans to feature the town in his documentary about the making of the 1954 biker film “The Wild One.” Carson and his production coordinator, Sean Galuszka, traveled to Hollister last week to interview nearly 20 locals about the town, its history and its famous 1947 motorcycle invasion.
That biker invasion inspired Frank Rooney’s 1951 short story “The Cyclist’s Raid,” which was in turn the basis for “The Wild One.”
Carson, who has been making behind-the-scenes documentaries for 15 years, said he filmed interviews with bikers, longtime residents and local politicians. Everyone was asked if they’ve seen “The Wild One,” but Carson emphasized that his documentary won’t focus exclusively on the film.
“It’s also kind of a love letter to Hollister,” Carson said.
After all, he said, some of the documentary’s interview subjects have lived in Hollister for decades, while others come from families that have made the town their home for generations.
“And now we get to be a part of that history ourselves,” Carson said.
He added that his documentary will tackle the question of whether the famous biker photograph featured on the July 21, 1947, issue of Life magazine – a photo now enshrined behind the counter at Johnny’s Bar and Grill – was staged.
“We’re telling both sides, but we’re also leaving the mystery,” Carson said. “The mythology is part of the appeal.”
The documentary will be included on a forthcoming DVD of “The Wild One” as part of “The Stanley Kramer Collection.” The collection will feature other films from the producer/director, whose credits include “Judgment at Nuremberg” and “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner.”
According to Carson, the DVD does not have an official release date.
Longtime resident Gordon Machado said he hopes the documentary, like Hollister’s annual motorcycle rally – a tribute to the original invasion – will help increase the city’s fame.
Machado himself was 6 or 7 years old at the time of the invasion. Although he didn’t see the actual riot, he still shared his memories with the filmmakers. Machado said he could hear the revelry continuing late into the night, and he could see the bikers riding through the hills.
“It was like there were lights shining in the sky,” Machado said.
Machado served as a city councilman in the 1970s and 1980s, so he said being interviewed wasn’t a new experience.
“It’s like, ‘Been there, done that,'” Machado said. “But it was kind of fun.”
Anthony Ha covers local government for the Free Lance. Reach him at 831-637-5566 ext. 330 or [email protected].
