electra glide in blue great moments in action history

“Did you know that me and Alan Ladd were exactly the same height?”

This iconic image is from Electra Glide In Blue, a classic action film from 1973 – the story of a young highway patrolman who wants to stand tall – and finds himself caught between the past and the new, uneasy future that lies ahead…

Electra-Glide-in-Blue-Robert Blake

Robert Blake is dynamic as a short Arizona motorcycle cop who gets his wish and is promoted to Homicide following the mysterious murder of a hermit.

He is forced to confront his illusions about himself and those around him in order to solve the case…

classic action film electra glide in blue

The film was entered into the 1973 Cannes Film Festival. Robert Blake was nominated for a Golden Globe that same year for his performance and the film garnered a great deal of critical acclaim upon its nationwide release, but wasn’t a hit – now, you can re-discover this classic film, with a great moment in action history…

James William Guercio

Electra Glide In Blue was produced and directed by James William Guercio – at the time, best known as the producer of rock band Chicago’s first eleven albums. The soundtrack includes many songs from individual band members.

First time director Guercio wanted the great Conrad L. Hall to photograph the film, but it was not in the budget. Guercio reduced his own salary to one dollar so Hall could be the cinematographer. Shots like this show why…

Electra Glide In Blue cinematography

Several members of the band appear in the movie as part of a biker gang, including Terry Kath, the longtime Chicago vocalist who died in 1978 from a self-inflicted gunshot to the head.

electra glide in blue action scene

Electra Glide In Blue turned out to be the only film that Guercio ever made…but he left us with a great moment in action history, when Blake takes on the entire motorcycle gang in a small town:

Electra Glide In Blue is a great 70’s film noir – well acted, a terrific plot, beautifully directed, and dealing with important social issues of the time..it is now available on blu-ray with an introduction by Guercio along with a feature-length audio commentary, so check it out!Electra_Glide_in_Blue_1973