The nostalgic 1973 blockbuster put director George Lucas on the map. Set in his hometown of Modesto, California, the writer-director examines the last night before four high school friends begin their adult lives — Curt (Richard Dreyfuss), Steve (Ron Howard), John (Paul Le Mat) and Terry (Charles Martin Smith). The late Cindy Williams, later of TV’s Laverne & Shirley, plays Laurie, Steve’s girlfriend (she appeared with this movie at the 2015 Plaza Classic). Much of the action takes place on Main Street, where cars cruise and race while a mysterious DJ (Wolfman Jack) spins ‘50s rock ’n’ roll over the airwaves, an innovative use of music as a score at the time. It also stars then-unknowns Suzanne Sommers, McKenzie Phillips, and Harrison Ford in his first feature-length speaking role. Its huge box-office success — $50 million on a $700,000 budget — opened the doors for Lucas’ next movie, Star Wars. — Jaime Mendez
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