he actually knew how it would all shake out until he finished filming and got into the editing booth . Mert was a very good rider in all conditions , and also quite technically proficient . He built and maintained his own race bikes , and in later years built and patented trick suspension systems for downhill bicycles , and also highend prosthetic arms and hands for amputee motorcycle , snowmobile , bicycle and ATV riders .”
Maybe the craziest thing of all happened months later as the guys were up at Bruce ’ s ranch riding for fun and doing hill climbs , some of which were on actual Marine land , as Bruce ’ s ranch butted up against Camp Pendleton acreage . They came around a corner in a forest and rode smack into a platoon of marines in camo , with camouflaged tanks and guns lined up nearby .
“ We couldn ’ t see them until it was too late ,” Malcolm told me , “ and we were spooked . As soon as Bruce realized what was happening , he stopped his motorcycle , asked one of the marines who the commanding officer was , walked over to the guy in charge and said , ‘ General Brown here . I hope things are going well . Carry on .’ The guy saluted , we started the motorcycles , and rode away . Amazing !”
Edit and Release
After shooting wrapped , Bruce began doing editing and narration , which ended up being almost a year-long deal , working twelve hours a day , six days a week , all with help from cameramen Don Shoemaker .
The first-ever showing was at a theater in Los Angeles , just a few miles from Beverly Hills . Admission was only a dollar , but for that moviegoers were asked for a verbal review after the showing . It was Bruce ’ s way of gauging reaction , seeing what did and didn ’ t work . These were regular folks , not motorcycle riders , which was both good and bad . Folks generally liked the movie , but felt it was a bit too long . The least-liked part was the Speedway section , which Bruce eventually deleted .
Malcolm and crew all attended , of course , and Malcolm was shocked he was featured so much . “ I was thoroughly surprised ,” he told me . “ A year had gone by since
The ‘ Three Amigos ’ – McQueen , Lawwill and Smith – on location at Camp Pendleton , just north of San Diego , for the movie ’ s final scenes .
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