Is there anything these lunatics won’t do to sell a car? The answer to that question is provided in this amazing 1932 film short. Watch this.
Earle C. Anthony is remembered today as an extremely successful Los Angeles Packard dealer and radio entrepreneur, but as we see in this theater short, he also operated a Hudson-Essex-Terraplane franchise. Two of his promotions are hyped in the clip: the giveaway of a new 1932 Essex Terraplane through Fox movie theaters on the West Coast, and a breathtaking car-aircraft stunt performed on California’s nearby Muroc Dry Lake (now Edwards Air Force Base).
The stuntmen who executed the feat were celebrities in their own right. The pilot was Oliver “Boots” Le Boutillier, a World War I aviator turned barnstormer who taught Amelia Earheart how to fly. The wing-walker was J.D. Pate, an utterly fearless aerialist who appeared in Hell’s Angels and other classic Hollywood aviation films. Now watch the stunt, which is guaranteed to put you on the edge of your seat. As they say in the fine print, do not try this at home.
Thanks MCG, I really like these clips you find from years ago. I love the music, and the claims of the car. As far as the stunt, I wasn’t on the edge of my seat, say like when a Top Fuel dragster or funny car take off, but it is entertaining. I don’t think the stunt is that difficult, (listen to me) as hanging on is probably the hardest part, and don’t kid yourself, there were plenty of mishaps, that we’ll never see. I don’t think that helmet would have done much. The Essex really looked like a nice car. Thanks again.
Per the video, I now understand that, because a stuntman dropped from an airplane onto the car, the Essex Terraplane will out run, out curve, and out last cars three times its weight and ten times its price. Yessiree-Bob, I get it now!
Thanks for the video, this stuff is fun to watch.
Hi Dutch, I thought the same thing too. What does all this have to do with selling Essex cars? I’d like to think things have changed, but look at cell phone ads, they make ridiculous claims with people jumping out of airplanes texting, or jumping cars on top of trains, along with the disclaimer, “Cars can’t jump on trains, do not attempt.”
I’d take one if they it to me!
Whoops, brain faster than my fingers…..I’d take one if they gave it to me!