Where it all began…
Photos/Story: T-Bone
Like many of you, I had the die-cast Hot Wheels® Snake and Mongoo$e Drag Racing Set back in the early ’70’s. Hot Wheels was a big hit with me and my brothers. And, I think I’m the only one who plays with them today. Below are photos of the drag set on my workbench. Included is Billy’s Mongoo$e English Leather Corvette Funny Car.
Last year, I was fortunate to head up to Hollywood for the last day of filming of the new hit movie: “Snake and Mongoo$e”. I hung out on the back lot of a Costco in Los Feliz that was transformed into Lion’s Dragstrip pit area for the filming. On Monday I was then invited to the Los Angeles Premiere of the movie.
It was a red-carpet event at the Egyptian Theater on Hollywood Blvd. Everyone was there for the screening. Don Prudhomme, Tom McEwen, Dave McClelland (The Voice of the NHRA), TV Tommy Ivo, and Roland Leong. The actors including Noah Wyle, Fred Dryer, Jesse Williams, and Richard Blake. Other friends were there too including Carson Lev, Barry Weiss, Richard Parks, Stephen Russo, and Bob Beck. Hot Rod Bob then invited me to come on and help give a review on his segment G.A.A.S. on Speed Scene Live the next day. Click here to watch the segment.
The movie was really good. Executive Producer Elliot Broidy used a great mix of historic drag racing footage, human interest with the characters, great business tips, a little something for everyone. One of my favorite parts was when the boys rolled up to a drag strip in their new rigs and the actual Snake and Mongoose come up to them in a golf-cart asking if they have enough room in the pits and shook hands with them. A real time-warp. I had a chance to speak to TV Tommy after the movie and he thought the mix of historic footage was very well done. All in all, it was awesome to sit in a theater with all the legends and the folks who put this film together including Producer Robin Broidy, writer Alan Paradise and director Wayne Holloway.
The movie came out in limited release of 25 cities on September 6th 2013. You can get the DVD and more at www.SnakeandMongooseMovie.com.