#35 - "Top Gun" (1986) with Ron West

When hit movie producer, Jerry Bruckheimer was casually flipping through California magazine in 1983, he was suddenly struck by an image. It was a picture of fighter pilot’s helmet with a plane reflected in the visor. Staring at the page, Bruckheimer couldn’t escape one thought: “It looked like Star Wars on Earth.” That magazine picture - and its accompanying article - set into motion the creation of this iconic 80’s Flick. A script would be crafted around the story of fighter pilots - their internal rivalry with one another, heroism when called on by their country and a deeply ingrained “need for speed.” So grab your aviator sunglasses, pull out your brown leather bomber jacket, and meet us in the “Danger Zone” where Tim Williams and returning guest co-host, Ron West, discuss “Top Gun” from 1986. We might just take your breath away.

Here are some additional behind the scenes trivia we were unable to cover in this episode:

• Future NASA astronaut Scott Altman piloted F-14 aircraft for many of the film's stunt sequences, having been recently stationed at NAS Miramar at time of filming. Altman was the pilot seen "flipping the bird" in the film's well-known opening sequence, as well as piloting the aircraft shown "buzzing the tower" throughout the film.
• The tension between Maverick and Iceman isn't just down to good acting, Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer kept their distance from each other and never socialized.
• After the "car chase" when Charlie tells Maverick that she didn't want anyone to find out she was falling for him, Maverick originally had a line to say. Tom Cruise forgot the line and "ad libbed" by kissing Kelly McGillis instead. Tony Scott liked it so much, he left the scene like that.

Sources:

• Wikipedia
• IMDB
• Rotten Tomatoes
• https://ultimateclassicrock.com/top-gun-movie/
• “Danger Zone: The Making of Top Gun” 4K UltraHD Extra Feature

Intro & Outro Music: "Total Eclipse" by Nathaniel Wyver

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