Cindy Williams cruises in with 1973 classic to kick off film festival
‘Graffiti’ makes its mark
NORTH TONAWANDA—The Buffalo Niagara Film Festival got going Saturday in the Riviera Theatre in North Tonawanda with a tribute to “American Graffiti,” and who better to introduce the classic 1973 film than one of its own—actress Cindy Williams.
“ ‘American Graffiti’ was made in 28 nights for $750,000,” Williams said Saturday. “Most of that money went to the licensing of the music for the film.”
Film festival organizers brought Williams in for an appearance, with actor and Oscar winner Louis Gossett Jr., who entertained questions about his movie, “Enemy Mine,” which also was shown Saturday at the film festival.
While Williams forever will be remembered as Shirley Feeny from the television sitcom “Laverne& Shirley,” some may have forgotten that she got her break in “American Graffiti,” playing Ron Howard’s girlfriend, Laurie Henderson.
Since “American Graffiti” centers on two friends on their last night before heading off to college in the summer of 1962, the movie was filmed between 6 at night and 6 in the morning, Williams recalled. She remembers lying down in the back of the hot rods on the set just to get some rest.
She also remembered one occasion when one of the other actors— Harrison Ford—interrupted her.
“What the hell are you doing in here?” Ford asked her.
“I’m just trying to get some peace and quiet,” she told him.
“Yeah, me too,” he added. Williams talked about some of
her other now-famous co-stars, including actor and director Ron Howard, who would pepper the movie’s cinematographer with questions.
“I’m just asking him questions, because I’m interested in filmmaking,” Howard told her.
“I was like, ‘Yeah right,’ ” Williams said.
Williams also recalled that around the time of the film she visited the director, George Lucas, at his home. Lucas, who was at the time writing the “Star Wars” series, saw his wife pull in with their dog, “Indiana,” in the passenger seat and noted how the canine looked like the co-pilot.
“That’s how Chewbacca came about,” Williams said.
Williams starred in “Laverne & Shirley” from 1976 to 1983 and more recently was in the Broadway musical “The Drowsy Chaperone.” She will be part of the cast of “Moon Over Buffalo” playing soon in the Toronto area.
Before Williams’ arrival at the Riviera, Gossett answered questions about his 1985 film “Enemy Mine,” one of the more than 80 films in which he has appeared over the past 50 years.
Gossett also was philosophical and talked about his most recent initiative, the Eracism Foundation, established to provide cultural diversity, educational and anti-violence programs.
“If I was 12, 13, 14 right now, I don’t know if I’d make it out there,” Gossett said. “We have to turn them around a little bit and send them in the right direction.”
Williams and Gossett entertained a sparse crowd — about 50 people—but the moviegoers were enthusiastic.
Williams posed with Darryl Stachura of Depew in the replica he built of the yellow 1932 Ford Coupe in “American Graffiti.”
“That was awesome,” Stachura said. “I’m so happy she’s that personable because you never know what to expect with people of fame.”
Stachura is a big fan of the film.
“This movie is probably the first movie to bring street racing to the big screen,” Stachura said. “If I told you I saw it 300 times, I would be short.”
The film festival will continue through next Sunday at various venues around the Buffalo area.
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