Dennis Stock, American Graffiti

Dennis Stock photographed George Lucas’ coming-of-age adventure featuring high-school romance, Californian cruise strips and drag-racing.

Before Happy Days burst forth onto the television screens —and before the galaxy-crossing capers of Star Wars— there was American Graffiti, George Lucas’ 1973 coming of age tale set in Modesto, California. The rock’n’roll-soundtracked film, following a group of friends throughout a single life-changing night, assisted in propelling the careers of up-and-coming actors including Richard Dreyfus, Ron Howard, and Harrison Ford.

All images © Dennis Stock/Magnum Photos.

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