Topic: RIP: Michael Parks: Then Came Bronson

[MCRider]

I searched and couldn't find where anyone had mentioned this. ANd this may not be the right forum. If not, please move it.  Quite a lot of pleasure to me, starting as a teenager watching Then Came Bronson.

All the episodes and the original pilot are available in a boxed set from various bootleg sources, I have them. The girl is Bonnie Bedalia of Die Hard fame.  The series was known for giving new actors a start, or old actors a kickstart. Martin Sheen was the friend of Bronson who jumped off the Golden Gate Bridge and sent Bronson on his quest for truth in the American SW. The bike was built by the two of them, and Martin's characters last wish was for him to buy his share from his soon to be widow.

Sigh.

[MoMo]

Sad, I watched all the episodes but was a bit older than a teenager.   RIP

[Nic]

RIP, I used to look forward to Then came Bronson back in the day.

[72 yellow]

Liked the show.  Always amused at how Sportster was such a good dirt bike when needed.  The stunt bike for the jump scenes was a dirt bike with a Sportster tank and sound.   RIP.

[Johnie]

Then Came Bronson...always watched this show and wasn't even in high school yet. But that show got me interested in motorcycles and been riding since. RIP my friend!

[Stev-o]

The girl is Bonnie Bedalia...

Dont remember the Bronson show, guess you guys are older than me!

I do remember Bonnie, she was in the movie  Heart Like a Wheel, the
Shirley Muldowney movie.  Great story.

[MCRider]

Liked the show.  Always amused at how Sportster was such a good dirt bike when needed.  The stunt bike for the jump scenes was a dirt bike with a Sportster tank and sound.   RIP.

The dirt bike used was a 250CC Harley Sprint (Aermacchi). They put a few things on it to make it look Sportsteresqe from a distance. Bud Ekins of Bullitt and Great Escape Fame (he did the legendary jump for Steve McQueen) was the stunt rider on the show.

[MCRider]

[MCRider]

His mother sings harmony on this.

IIRC, they had 2 semis, 2 Sportsters, 2 Sprints, and a helicopter. I always thought the photography was inspired.

Tom Hanks was interviewed recently on NPR, before his death. He was asked about his influences, and he said it was Michael Parks that got him into acting. There were episodes where there was virtually no dialogue. The story was told in action and snippets of talk.

[BobbyR]

I remember the show fondly. It was a hit and no one knew why. The network said on paper it was the worst show they had looked at. On the screen it was wonderful. It probably represented freedom which most people long for when they drive to a job that pays the mortgage but has no reward. Michael Parks like Clint Eastwood had the ability to say a lot while saying nothing. I think he was an underrated actor.

[ofreen]

I watched the show too, no doubt had an influence on my enjoyment of motorcycle touring.

I forgot how cute Bonnie Bedalia is.

[micol]

Used to always watch it. Really liked the orange Sportster. Had to overlook some things (off road scenes). Was about the only show with a motorcycle on T.V. at the time. Seem to remember it being an electric start that he always kicked.

[MCRider]

Used to always watch it. Really liked the orange Sportster. Had to overlook some things (off road scenes). Was about the only show with a motorcycle on T.V. at the time. Seem to remember it being an electric start that he always kicked.

Yes, a technique of hitting the starter button at the same time as the down stroke, no one could tell, except sometimes you could hear the starter motor.  Works on a CB750 as well.

[MCRider]

Used to always watch it. Really liked the orange Sportster. Had to overlook some things (off road scenes). Was about the only show with a motorcycle on T.V. at the time. Seem to remember it being an electric start that he always kicked.

It was actually "Bronson Red". Harley had some rights to it, but never used it on a production model.

http://www.harleydavidson-paint.com/bronson-red.html

[MCRider]

One of many TCB websites. Replica bikes, decals (I have the official "eternal eye") stickers for a tank I've never used.

http://www.jimbronson.com/TCB_Next_Generation.htm

[Johnie]

Someone must have Bronson's bike somewhere?

[MCRider]

Someone must have Bronson's bike somewhere?

Don't know. Like the Easyrider bikes, I think I read they were either wrecked and never repaired as the show shut down, and/or stolen, as no one cared to watch over them.

[Johnie]

Don't know how many of you remember the movie America Graffiti from 1973 about a couple of high school grads spend one final night cruising the strip with their buddies before they go off to college. That yellow 32 deuce coupe driven by the character John Milner was found behind a barn many years later in poor shape. The guy bought it and restored it. Takes it to car shows and the people from the muscle car era really take to it.

[dusterdude]

Damn good movie and car

Sent from my R1 HD using Tapatalk

[Johnie]

Love that coupe! At the time I was driving a 69 GTO and into the muscle cars.