10 January 2008

"Top Gun" Trivia

Top Gun-The Movie

Val Kilmer did not want to be in this film, but was forced to by contractual obligations.

Anthony Edwards, Michael Ironside, and Rick Rossovich all went on to roles in the ER tv series. Edwards: Dr. Mark Green, Ironside: Dr. William "Wild Willy" Swift, Rossovich: Dr. John "Tag" Taglieri.

During the final furball, Stinger orders, "Ready Willard and Simkin on cats 3 and 4" - a reference to dogfight choreographer "Rat" Willard and casting director Marge Simkin.

In several locker scenes, one of the lockers is labeled as belonging to "TEX". This is the call sign for one of the top gun instructors and MiG pilots that worked on the film, Lt. William 'Tex' Spence.

Charlie's "older man" date at the oak club was actually a teacher at Top Gun at the time. He was the consultant on the film.

The piano scene and the final bar/jukebox scene were shot in a San Diego restaurant called Kansas City BBQ, at the corner of Kettner Blvd and W. Harbor Drive. The restaurant now houses many props and memorabilia from the film, including the jukebox and Maverick's flight helmet sits behind the bar in a locked display case.

Stunt pilot Art Scholl died when his plane crashed on 16 September 1985 while he was performing the "flat spin" shown in the movie.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

A great milblog. Maddog can write, he's got a good sense of humor and he's been around. Highly recommended.