1935 Plymouth De Luxe 2 Door Touring Sedan [PJ]

1935 Plymouth De Luxe [PJ] in The Sting, Movie, 1973

Class: Cars, Sedan — Model origin:

1935 Plymouth De Luxe 2 Door Touring Sedan [PJ]

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Owner of this vehicle: gillettealvin

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gillettealvin ◊ 2018-01-18 17:30	In 1972 I was living in Glenview, Il. Being a perpetual car guy, after settling in, I found a nice amateur restored and running ’35 Plymouth PJ two door sedan. This sufficed for Sunday rides, and active membership in the local area car scene. In March of ’72 I noted an ad in the cars for sale classified section of the Sunday paper. The ad stated Universal Studios was looking for pre 1938 cars for use in a soon to be filmed movie in Chicago. I sent in a short note and a snapshot of our Plymouth. In a few weeks, much to my amazement the Transportation Manager for the film contacted us. Along with his letter of instruction was a contract to sign and return. Universal said they’d need the car, (plus a driver,) for two or three days. They’d pay $75.00 per day. We were ecstatic! On a bright sunny, but chilly day in mid April my wife and I showed up at the filming location in downtown Chicago. Upon our arrival, we came into a large parking lot that looked like a car show! We were issued a number, and joined in the melee of cars, drivers, and film crew. The next several hours were spent being shuffled around and parking the car for various street scene shots and locations. We learned that the filming was mostly being done in California, but for authenticity, Universal wanted certain scenes shot at the (old,) Union Station. We also were told that the two “stars” of the movie were Robert Redford, and Paul Newman. Sure enough, at the coffee truck, during the day, I had the shock and awe of seeing and introducing myself to Robert Redford. No one else was around, and we had a short conversation. My wife, who’d decided to stay in the car and stay warm was bummed when she found out that I’d run into one of her “favorite” movie stars! After night fall, that day, our Plymouth was positioned by the Transportation Director across the street from the entrance of Union Station. We were feeling very special as the street was closed to traffic, and the old PJ was the only car on the street. Dark and raining, the scene looked eerie. Soon, the “star car,” of the film, (’36 Pierce Arrow Sedan,) glided along the street and nosed into the curb in front of the station. A crew member asked us to get out of our car, and go into the station, and join in the crowd. When we did, we were excited to have a great view of the filming. Paul Newman was strutting around, cameras were rolling, directors and crew were shouting orders, and “The Sting” was being filmed right before our eyes! In the final cut, the Plymouth is only visible for millisecond. In the days before “freeze frame,” we used to watch the scene several times to even “see” the car across from the Pierce Arrow. The old Plymouth ran flawlessly through the rain and slick highways as we “floated” home, that night. We’d been asked to show the next day for more street scenes, all of which are strangely familiar every time I see the movie. Obviously it is and has been a “favorite” for years!
Gamer ◊ 2018-01-18 17:31	Very interesting story.

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Message

gillettealvin

◊ 2018-01-18 17:30

In 1972 I was living in Glenview, Il. Being a perpetual car guy, after settling in, I found a nice amateur restored and running ’35 Plymouth PJ two door sedan. This sufficed for Sunday rides, and active membership in the local area car scene.

In March of ’72 I noted an ad in the cars for sale classified section of the Sunday paper. The ad stated Universal Studios was looking for pre 1938 cars for use in a soon to be filmed movie in Chicago. I sent in a short note and a snapshot of our Plymouth. In a few weeks, much to my amazement the Transportation Manager for the film contacted us. Along with his letter of instruction was a contract to sign and return. Universal said they’d need the car, (plus a driver,) for two or three days. They’d pay $75.00 per day. We were ecstatic!

On a bright sunny, but chilly day in mid April my wife and I showed up at the filming location in downtown Chicago. Upon our arrival, we came into a large parking lot that looked like a car show! We were issued a number, and joined in the melee of cars, drivers, and film crew.

The next several hours were spent being shuffled around and parking the car for various street scene shots and locations. We learned that the filming was mostly being done in California, but for authenticity, Universal wanted certain scenes shot at the (old,) Union Station. We also were told that the two “stars” of the movie were Robert Redford, and Paul Newman.

Sure enough, at the coffee truck, during the day, I had the shock and awe of seeing and introducing myself to Robert Redford. No one else was around, and we had a short conversation. My wife, who’d decided to stay in the car and stay warm was bummed when she found out that I’d run into one of her “favorite” movie stars!

After night fall, that day, our Plymouth was positioned by the Transportation Director across the street from the entrance of Union Station. We were feeling very special as the street was closed to traffic, and the old PJ was the only car on the street. Dark and raining, the scene looked eerie.

Soon, the “star car,” of the film, (’36 Pierce Arrow Sedan,) glided along the street and nosed into the curb in front of the station. A crew member asked us to get out of our car, and go into the station, and join in the crowd. When we did, we were excited to have a great view of the filming. Paul Newman was strutting around, cameras were rolling, directors and crew were shouting orders, and “The Sting” was being filmed right before our eyes!

In the final cut, the Plymouth is only visible for millisecond. In the days before “freeze frame,” we used to watch the scene several times to even “see” the car across from the Pierce Arrow.

The old Plymouth ran flawlessly through the rain and slick highways as we “floated” home, that night. We’d been asked to show the next day for more street scenes, all of which are strangely familiar every time I see the movie. Obviously it is and has been a “favorite” for years!

Gamer

◊ 2018-01-18 17:31

Very interesting story.

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1935 Plymouth De Luxe 2 Door Touring Sedan [PJ]

1935 Plymouth De Luxe [PJ] in The Sting, Movie, 1973

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