American Graffiti Almost Got Sold to TV. Coppola Said No.

By The Backlot

@backlotfriends

A neon-lit Mel's Drive-In at night with vintage hot rods parked outside in American Graffiti.

Universal hated American Graffiti. After a 1973 test screening, a studio executive told George Lucas the film wasn't worth a theatrical release and suggested selling it to TV. Lucas had made it for $777,000.

Francis Ford Coppola, the producer, stood up and offered to buy the film from Universal on the spot. Then The Godfather won Best Picture a few weeks later. Universal's position changed. They agreed to cut only three scenes from Lucas's version and gave it a theatrical release.

The film made more than $55 million worldwide on its $777,000 budget. Harrison Ford is in it, wearing a Stetson throughout to hide his hair because he refused to cut it. That was four years before Star Wars.

People on Backlot are watching it this week.

Quick Facts

American Graffiti Almost Got Sold to TV. Coppola Said No.

DirectorGeorge Lucas

CastRichard Dreyfuss, Ron Howard, Paul Le Mat, Charles Martin Smith, Cindy Williams

GenreComedy, Drama

Release1973-08-11

Runtime112 min

Rated7.0/10

Instagram caption

Universal wanted to sell American Graffiti to a TV station after one bad screening. Coppola offered to buy it himself. The Godfather won Best Picture weeks later and Universal backed down. #Backlot

X caption

Universal wanted to sell American Graffiti to TV. Coppola offered to buy it himself. Then The Godfather won Best Picture. #Backlot

People on Backlot are watching it this week.