I am currently working on a feature film set in the early 80’s in Cleveland entitled, "White Boy Rick," starring Matthew McConaughey. We have a big scene involving a Gun Show and I've ben in touch with marketing at S&W and they are considering allowing us to use some historic ads, signs and apparel...Now I need to find some! I've been searching the internet, but also wanted to come to the experts. Please post any pics that you might have of Smith and Wesson from the early 80's. Thanks!!
1980's Gun Show
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Plain Old Dave
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This sounds fascinating, and you have PM.....
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I don't have anything for you other than a couple of thoughts.
You might see if you can locate some period gun magazines. Shouldn't be hard to find. Guns & Ammo, Shooting Times. They will at least give you a guide on what might be period correct. They are heavy on pictures.
The current staff at those magazines might be able to steer you in some direction. They get a lot of free stuff from manufacturers. They might even have stuff.
For God's sake please make sure all the firearms are "period correct" or we'll never hear the end of it around here.
This isn't going to be some kind of anti-gun hit piece I hope.
Matthew McConaughey:
“It’s like my feeling about gun control: ‘I get it. You have the right to have guns. But look, let’s forget that right. Let’s forget the pleasure you get safely on your range, because it’s in the wrong hands in other places.'” – Matthew McConaughey quoted in Matthew McConaughey Wusses Out on Gun Rights and Redskins Name
Quote of the Day: on Redskins and Gun Control - The Truth About Guns
You might see if you can locate some period gun magazines. Shouldn't be hard to find. Guns & Ammo, Shooting Times. They will at least give you a guide on what might be period correct. They are heavy on pictures.
The current staff at those magazines might be able to steer you in some direction. They get a lot of free stuff from manufacturers. They might even have stuff.
For God's sake please make sure all the firearms are "period correct" or we'll never hear the end of it around here.
This isn't going to be some kind of anti-gun hit piece I hope.
Matthew McConaughey:
“It’s like my feeling about gun control: ‘I get it. You have the right to have guns. But look, let’s forget that right. Let’s forget the pleasure you get safely on your range, because it’s in the wrong hands in other places.'” – Matthew McConaughey quoted in Matthew McConaughey Wusses Out on Gun Rights and Redskins Name
Quote of the Day: on Redskins and Gun Control - The Truth About Guns
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The early 80's was the time of the beginning popularity of "Combat" shooting. (IPSC) You couldn't go to any gun show back then without several "custom" gunsmiths showing all the latest 1911 all tricked out guns. Compensators became available, and it seems every 1911 had to have one installed.
You posted in the S&W antiques section.... Are you looking for 1980's guns or 1880's guns? Pre 1899 guns are antiques. Guns from the 1980's are no where close to antiques and for the most part look fairly similar to a lot offerings still made today.
Are you looking for revolvers and/or pistols?
Are you looking for revolvers and/or pistols?
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I would have a little philosophical problem with an actor who is anti-gun making buckets of cash from a movie that glorifies gun violence. Of course this may not be the case at all, as I haven't seen the movie. I am familiar with the story.
White Boy Rick | ClickOnDetroit | WDIV Local 4
opoefc
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My gut feeling is: There's no way a Hollywood production today is going to glorify the benefits of a Gun Show or gun ownership. It's just not going to happen, guys. The fact that the poster put this in the antique section is probably because he knows very little about real gun collecting, etc. Having co-produced gun shows in the 80s, including the Great Western Gun Show with 6,500 tables, I can say I don't recall very many vendors displaying any S&W ads on their tables. Guns, yes. Current factory ads, no. I'm passing on any assistance, unless the producer give control of the gun show sets to Lee Jarrett & Roy Jinks! Ed.
Wow 6500 tables.That must have been incredible.
LEO918
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The Great Western Shows were incredible and in California no less.
You ain't lived til you have! 
silversnake
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I second this. On the other hand, if the producer does manage to put the gun show and ownership in a positive or at least neutral light, I will probably see the movie. It's OK to me if he doesn't know much about guns, everyone is ignorant about something and at least he came here to ask for help.
Drug user in Michigan, I'm surprised that McConaughey is playing the role, why not Tim Allen?????
You state that the movie is set in the early 80's in Cleveland, why not Michigan where it really happened????
Sorry, but I have to agree with Ed, I can't imagine anything positive coming out of a drug themed movie with a gun show as part of the plot.
You state that the movie is set in the early 80's in Cleveland, why not Michigan where it really happened????
Sorry, but I have to agree with Ed, I can't imagine anything positive coming out of a drug themed movie with a gun show as part of the plot.
silversnake
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My guess - the gun show will be shown as a place with no background checks or other regulations, where people walk in with cash and buy full auto AKs, sawed off shotguns, etc with no questions asked. Deals will be done under the table by people without an FFL. The buying and selling of guns will be seen as entryway into a criminal lifestyle and the drug trade. Expect cops to be portrayed as corrupt too.
Prove me wrong, Hollywood.
Prove me wrong, Hollywood.
It smells of set up here. I'm sure this guy called Smith & Wesson. I agree with Ed and James. And he didn't contact Roy? Like Roy is hard to find.
alwaysoutdoors
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Been in Hollywood too long
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xmucane;
You may be asking a sincere question regarding your movie work. However, you will have to understand how legitimate firearms owners and businesses have been portrayed in the name of "entertainment", and therefore our skepticism. (Anyone here see the recent movie "Miss Sloane"? Didn't think so...)
In post 8 above there is a link to a news story, presumably about the character being portrayed in the movie, convicted as a juvenile (age 17) for felony drug dealing. Could you please explain, in the context of this story, how gun shows and firearms will be portrayed in the film in a positive light?
When Smith & Wesson contacts you back about the use of their products (not only firearms, but promotional and print materials among other items, all of them likely copyrighted) please feel free to post along any documents that show their approval and consent for their use, and some members here may have access to what you might need.
PS: In the "early '80s", the person in question would have been in grade school (10 years old or a 4th grader in 1980, or 14 years old as an 8th grader in 1984). Might want to let the scriptwriters know it would have been illegal for him to purchase any firearm at that age. Hope this is helpful.
You may be asking a sincere question regarding your movie work. However, you will have to understand how legitimate firearms owners and businesses have been portrayed in the name of "entertainment", and therefore our skepticism. (Anyone here see the recent movie "Miss Sloane"? Didn't think so...)
In post 8 above there is a link to a news story, presumably about the character being portrayed in the movie, convicted as a juvenile (age 17) for felony drug dealing. Could you please explain, in the context of this story, how gun shows and firearms will be portrayed in the film in a positive light?
When Smith & Wesson contacts you back about the use of their products (not only firearms, but promotional and print materials among other items, all of them likely copyrighted) please feel free to post along any documents that show their approval and consent for their use, and some members here may have access to what you might need.
PS: In the "early '80s", the person in question would have been in grade school (10 years old or a 4th grader in 1980, or 14 years old as an 8th grader in 1984). Might want to let the scriptwriters know it would have been illegal for him to purchase any firearm at that age. Hope this is helpful.
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A "real" early 80's gunshow would give Hollywood types the vapors. Genuine .50 M2's on the table for $2500, MP5's for 1500. All fully transferable. Model 10's, a dozen on a piece of tie-wire, $99 take your pick. Any story with it would be a side story. Joe
There's another movie I won't be seeing. White Boy Rick was a bag of ...
