Think your TJ isn't worthy of offroading? Check out this old silent 1920 film

Jerry Bransford

Jerry Bransford

Too many arguments and personal attacks, I'm done.
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I just recently re-discovered an old B&W movie called Something New that has some almost unbelievable offroad scenes in nothing more than an old 2wd Maxwell. The absolutely blew me away the first time I saw it lol, OMG the stuff they did in those old cars in t his would scare the crap out of many 4x4 owners.

The fun stuff complete with some rock crawling starts just after the 20 minute mark. Hold onto your seats lol! I'm surprised however that the YouTube version is totally silent, the first time I saw it it had the old timey piano playing with the film which made it a lot more fun to watch.

 
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How the dog was able to stay in the car was a feat in itself!
No spotter necessary, just point and shoot! Amazing!
 
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what's the wheel base to tire size ratio here, looks worse than an LJ...
 
Jerry Bransford said:
I just recently re-discovered an old B&W movie called Something New that has some almost unbelievable offroad scenes in nothing more than an old 2wd Maxwell. The absolutely blew me away the first time I saw it lol, OMG the stuff they did in those old cars in t his would scare the crap out of many 4x4 owners.

The fun stuff complete with some rock crawling starts just after the 20 minute mark. Hold onto your seats lol! I'm surprised however that the YouTube version is totally silent, the first time I saw it it had the old timey piano playing with the film which made it a lot more fun to watch.

Click to expand...
Thanks for posting that, Jerry. That was immensely enjoyable to watch!

Can't think of a Maxwell without remembering this gentleman...;)
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Wow, nice find. I thought the desert scenes reminded me of Anza Borrego so I did some internet sleuthing and sure enough it was filmed out there before it became a state park! Apparently it was also financed by Maxwell Motor Company. I wonder if they beefed up their car for the movie or if it was "stock". The director mentions the "thrice-mended Maxwell" so I'm assuming it was stock.

Here is the link, it is not secure (in case you care about things like that): http://femfilm.ca/film_search.php?film=shipman-something&lang=e
 
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RubiconRic said:
Wow, nice find. I thought the desert scenes reminded me of Anza Borrego so I did some internet sleuthing and sure enough it was filmed out there before it became a state park! Apparently it was also financed by Maxwell Motor Company. I wonder if they beefed up their car for the movie or if it was "stock". The director mentions the "thrice-mended Maxwell" so I'm assuming it was stock.

Here is the link, it is not secure (in case you care about things like that): http://femfilm.ca/film_search.php?film=shipman-something&lang=e
Click to expand...

"The film [Something New] was financed by the Maxwell-Briscoe Motor Company and, as such, has been dismissed by some critics as merely an extended and somewhat melodramatic commercial for the off-road capacities of the Maxwell automobile."

When the desert driving scene continued at great length, I began to wonder about this. Thanks for posting that link. Question answered. (y)
 
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AzJeff said:
Wonder how many cars it took to make that chase?
Click to expand...

Sounds like just one, repaired. as needed.

Quotes by the Director​

"The thrice-mended Maxwell ended up with a bashed-in rear end, even if I did not. But this casualty was not fixed. At all the subsequent showings [of Something New]—wherein I brought disgrace on my profession by stooping to commercial advertising—that self-same Maxwell stood fenderless, paintless, battered, in the theatre lobby. An immmodestly lettered sign claimed she'd come through the Hell of the Desert and a Thousand Gun Shots exactly as she came spanking-new from the Factory! It was almost true."
— Nell Shipman (source)
 
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