Before he was Indy or Han...

Remember when Harrison Ford wasn't a septuagenarian? Remember HF before Indy and Star Wars?

We've all seen him drop his papers in Apocalypse Now.


And have at least seen this clip from Dead Heat on a Merry-Go-Round. (Next to no one has seen the movie, but everyone's seen this clip a dozen times.)
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But how many of you remember Ford's bit role in Kung Fu?



Or his part in season one of Love American Style?


Finally, I throw in this sequence from Gunsmoke, which foreshadows Greedo's demise.





Feel free to post any other old Pre-Indy/Star Wars pics, clips, or relatively unknown trivia you come across.

I love that he's in one of the greatest war films of all-time.

And speaking of which, if you have this version of dvd..(not sure on the others & blu-ray)




When you put it in, the first voice you hear is Harrison delivering the mission!

I thought that was so cool when I first bought it.

michael said:

When you put it in, the first voice you hear is Harrison delivering the mission!

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Awesome. And a great way for them to get the most bang for their buck out of Ford's small part.

goodeknight said:

Remember when Harrison Ford wasn't a septuagenarian? Remember HF before Indy and Star Wars?

We've all seen him drop his papers in Apocalypse Now.

And have at least seen this clip from Dead Heat on a Merry-Go-Round. (Next to no one has seen the movie, but everyone's seen this clip a dozen times.)

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I watched "Dead Heat on a Merry-Go-Round" back in the mid-'80s. It's not that great. (Just in case you've forgotten, "Apocalypse Now", was released after "Star Wars".)

His "Kung Fu", "Gunsmoke" and "Love American Style" appearances are on my want list. Since you're from Virginia, goodeknight, I'm surprised you didn't mention Harrison's roles in the the TV show, "The Virginian". Here's Harry from one episode, "The Modoc Kid" (1967):



Another one from 1967, a beatnik Harrison Ford in "Luv":

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/MDfk8z7UUTk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I have "A Time For Killing" (1967) and "Journey to Shiloh" (1968) that I recorded from TV so I'll post some screengrabs later...

I was fortunate to catch Harrison Ford on "Gunsmoke", but I'd love to catch him on "The Virginian". While growing up, my dad had oftened mentioned one of his favorite films, "Journey to Shiloh", but he didn't remember that Harrison was in it, so it was a great surprise for me when I finally got to see it with my dad when I was a teenager. Harrison had a minor role in it, but, like all of his earlier roles, his presence was definately palpable.

Stoo said:

(Just in case you've forgotten, "Apocalypse Now", was released after "Star Wars".)

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Details, details...

So -- it's Harrison Ford in a small role he shot, after/while/before?? he was shooting as Han Solo, but the world hadn't really recognized him as such...yet.
Perhaps that helps clarify (though the actual timeline is still a little fuzzy in my mind).

As for that Luv clip, wow. "Nice knee boots, Harry. They match your beret." The other thing that stands out in that clip, at least to me, is that the accident at the beginning would total both cars today.

There is a film called "The Frisco Kid" that features Harry and Gene Wilder... I think it may have been directly right after "Star Wars"... anyway that one is interesting to say the least. I don't think Harry was "famous" per-say at that point... not sure though.

Dr. Gonzo said:

There is a film called "The Frisco Kid" that features Harry and Gene Wilder... I think it may have been directly right after "Star Wars"... anyway that one is interesting to say the least. I don't think Harry was "famous" per-say at that point... not sure though.

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Released in 1979. Yeah, not one of the best Harrison Ford (or Gene Wilder) movies of all time, as the poster clearly shows.


The synopses for Frisco Kid from IMDB and Wikipedia sum it up pretty well.

IMDB A Polish rabbi wanders through the Old West on his way to lead a synagogue in San Francisco. On the way he is nearly burnt at the stake by Indians and almost killed by outlaws.

Wiki The Frisco Kid is a 1979 movie directed by Robert Aldrich. The movie is a Western comedy featuring Gene Wilder as Avram Belinski, a Polish rabbi who is traveling to San Francisco, and Harrison Ford as a bank robber who befriends him.




Boy, you could start a thread on "The Many Hats of Harrison Ford"
As a matter of fact...I think I will...

goodeknight said:

Details, details...

So -- it's Harrison Ford in a small role he shot, after/while/before?? he was shooting as Han Solo, but the world hadn't really recognized him as such...yet.
Perhaps that helps clarify (though the actual timeline is still a little fuzzy in my mind).

Click to expand...

Gotcha. In a sense you are correct because he filmed "Star Wars" in the 1st half of 1976 and his scene in "Apocalypse Now" must have been the next thing he did after that in late '76/early '77. HOWEVER, "Apocalypse Now" came out in late August 1979 (which I remember because it was shortly before school started) and, in the eye of the general public, Harrison was already well known as Han Solo at that point in time. He also did 5 other movies between those two:

Star Wars (summer 1977)
Heroes (winter 1977)
Force 10 (winter 1978)
Hanover Street (summer 1979)
The Frisco Kid (summer 1979)
More American Graffiti (summer 1979)
Apocalypse Now (late summer 1979)

I even recall seeing a preview in the theatre for "Force 10 From Navarone" and my friend yelling out, "Hey, that's Harrison Ford!", which was duly acknowledged by people around us - in the summer of '78.

Dr. Gonzo said:

There is a film called "The Frisco Kid" that features Harry and Gene Wilder... I think it may have been directly right after "Star Wars"... anyway that one is interesting to say the least. I don't think Harry was "famous" per-say at that point... not sure though.

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The late '70s/early '80s were my formative years so I remember them very well and can say, with certainty, that Harrison was already known when "The Frisco Kid" came out. After "Star Wars", his first movie to hit the screens was, "Heroes", in winter 1977 (which I saw in the theatre mainly because it starred Henry Winkler a.k.a. The Fonz).

---
Harry in Coppola's great film, "The Conversation" (1974):

I do happen to own a copy of Frisco Kid- it's got a few fun little moments (especially when they meet the Indians).

I haven't seen a lot of the cowboy stuff mentioned- though it really isn't surprising that he fits those roles. And that his most famous roles ironically have some cowboyish traits.

Force 10 is a good film actually- it's one of his better earlier stuff- as well as Apocalypse Now and The Conversation.

I'm not familiar with "Heroes" though. Is that worth looking at?

Before Harry was...



Frisco Kid is an abomination in every sense of the word except that Harrison wears at hat.



Heroes is watchable with a nice turn from the Fronz.

Violet said:

I'm not familiar with "Heroes" though. Is that worth looking at?

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Not having seen the full movie since 1977, I can say that I do remember liking "Heroes" as a kid. I don't really recall much of Harrison's scenes but my memory of him was jogged in 1998 when a clip was shown in the A&E Biography, "Harrison Ford - The Reluctant Hero". His portrayal of an uneducated, aimless, Vietnam veteran is very far from Oscar-winning material but it's different enough from his usual roles to make his performance interesting (in retrospect). Good luck tracking the film down, Violet, because it's obscure, for sure!

JuniorJones said:

Heroes is watchable with a nice turn from the Fronz.

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The "Fronz"? "Heroes" is worth watching for Henry Winkler when he was a star...at the top of his game (along with, "The One and Only" 1978).

Great thread - Thanks for starting this.

Re: The Gene Hackman film The Conversation (1974), I first saw this close to ten years ago - truly excellent film, though I don't remember HF's part too well (I believe he had a cameo). Anyway, I highly recommend this movie to anyone - not only is this a great example of '70's film-making, but the issues touched on here are even more relevant today than they were when the film was first released.

Re: the film Heroes, I have had a strong interest in seeing the movie for years, but have never had the chance. This thread is renewing my interest for the movie, so I plan on checking it out at some point soon. It will be interesting to see a early HF role, as well as an against-type Henry W.

Interesting trivia re: Heroes - several years ago I was reading the reviews of the film on Amazon.Com, and some reviewers were complaining about the DVD release of the film because it apparently omits the classic '70's song "Carry on My Wayward Son" by Kansas (that was apparently at the very end of the film). Though I haven't seen the film yet, I do completely agree that removing/replacing music from a movie/TV show is not a good idea, and can completely change the tone/vibe of the original material. (Case in point, the DVD sets of the great Vietnam War TV Drama "Tour Of Duty" (late '80's - early '90's) omittied the classic theme song "Paint it Black" by the Rolling Stones. IMHO, this omission completely altered & lessened the show, and is the sole reason I never got these DVD's).

Stoo said:

The "Fronz"? [/SIZE]

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A typo relation of the Fonz.

The horror, the horror...

Violet said:

I'm not familiar with "Heroes" though. Is that worth looking at?

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Try, before you buy...I may even dust it down for a watch on the ole VCR.

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Movie Star in the making...

Dead Heat on a Merry-Go-Round (1966)

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/BrlULhMtmMQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Luv (1967)

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/MDfk8z7UUTk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

The Virginian (1 February 1967)

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/nhVLhqDiYxY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

The Long Ride Home (1967)

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/K5cjHRZhT5o" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Ironside (1967)



The Mod Squad (1968)

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/67qvmIEYKVE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Journey To Shiloh (1968)

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/e5MbnrZFhEY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

The F.B.I (1969)




Zabriskie Point (1970)



Getting Straight (1970)

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/2fkTw3T18Wo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Gunsmoke - The Sodbusters (1972)

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/2yEOnhDnRw8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Gunsmoke - Whelan's Men (1973)

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/SBFrR7IyNag" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Kung Fu (1974)

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/UkE1YNXya40" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/EFGf1ypeHJ0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/MXTZfDu7FEA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Judgment: The Courtmartial of Lt. William Calley (1975)



James Michener's Dynasty (1976)



Star Wars - Audition (1976)

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/95gqVGilYEk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

The Possessed (1977)

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/6NOgDCGpY3c" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Star Wars Holiday Special (1978)

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/VXcb7VPw59s" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

More American Graffitti (1979)

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Finally, Harrison's finest moment...

Water to Wine (2004)

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/5HiicSElPh0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

phantom train said:

Interesting trivia re: Heroes - several years ago I was reading the reviews of the film on Amazon.Com, and some reviewers were complaining about the DVD release of the film because it apparently omits the classic '70's song "Carry on My Wayward Son" by Kansas (that was apparently at the very end of the film). Though I haven't seen the film yet, I do completely agree that removing/replacing music from a movie/TV show is not a good idea, and can completely change the tone/vibe of the original material. (Case in point, the DVD sets of the great Vietnam War TV Drama "Tour Of Duty" (late '80's - early '90's) omittied the classic theme song "Paint it Black" by the Rolling Stones. IMHO, this omission completely altered & lessened the show, and is the sole reason I never got these DVD's).

Click to expand...

WHAT?!? That sucks! Thanks G_d I still have some home recordings of "Tour of Duty" as it originally aired.

Anyway, now I'm jonesing to see "Heroes" again...(with or without the Kansas song).

JuniorJones said:

A typo relation of the Fonz.

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By "Fronz", I thought you might have been referring to the bronze Fonzie statue in Milwaukee.

JuniorJones said:

The Mod Squad (1968)
...
Zabriskie Point (1970)

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Sweet collection of images & clips, JJ, but these two dubious appearances have never been fully substantiated.

Re. "Zabriskie Point": The photo you posted is definitely NOT Harrison. He is purpotedly one of the student protesters at the police station (at the far left of the line-up) but I saw the film again recently and it can't be him. That person looks much younger than Ford in c.1969/70 and he's only shown for 5-10 seconds of screen-time with no dialogue. I can't count how many times I've read, over many years, that Harry is in "Zabriskie Point" and thought that guy was him but, now, I'm 99% positive that Ford is nowhere to be seen. (If he did film a scene, it's possible that it was cut out.)

Re. "The Mod Squad": Last year, Mitch Hallock wrote that he has a 1977 "Star Wars" movie program booklet which states that Ford was in the show. However, when Harrison appeared on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" a couple of months before, he told Leno that he was never in that TV series.

I remember seeing episodes of "The Mod Squad" as a wee lad. The TV Land channel had it on a few years ago and, WOW, what an amazing theme tune!

Stoo said:

Re. "Zabriskie Point": The photo you posted is definitely NOT Harrison. He is purpotedly one of the student protesters at the police station (at the far left of the line-up) but I saw the film again recently and it can't be him. That person looks much younger than Ford in c.1969/70 and he's only shown for 5-10 seconds of screen-time with no dialogue. I can't count how many times I've read, over many years, that Harry is in "Zabriskie Point" and thought that guy was him but, now, I'm 99% positive that Ford is nowhere to be seen. (If he did film a scene, it's possible that it was cut out.)

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It's accepted that any scenes end up on the cutting room floor. It was a bit of deperation on my behalf as I have never found him either!

Stoo said:

Re. "The Mod Squad": Last year, Mitch Hallock wrote that he has a 1977 "Star Wars" movie program booklet which states that Ford was in the show. However, when Harrison appeared on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" a couple of months before, he told Leno that he was never in that TV series.

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Looks like him...

Stoo said:

"Zabriskie Point": The photo you posted is definitely NOT Harrison. He is purpotedly one of the student protesters at the police station (at the far left of the line-up) but I saw the film again recently and it can't be him.

Click to expand...

Unless he hiding...