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rseagle · 05-20-2006, 05:08 AM

I was recently watching the classic Lucie/Desi movie "The Long Long Trailer" and was wondering where the stretch of road was that they climbed the mountain. On line trivia sites say it was in the Sierra Nevadas as opposed to the Rockies. They also say that the road was so steep that the studio had to substitute the 1953 Mercury with similar looking but more powerful 1953 Lincoln to get up the hill.

Do any of you recognize the location in Eastern California and specifically what road it might be and where (nearest town).

Have any of you daring soles tried to climb it with your own Long Long Trailer?

Has the road been improved since 1953 or has the Interstate Highway system passed it by?

Paul Mayeux · 05-20-2006, 06:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rseagle

I was recently watching the classic Lucie/Desi movie "The Long Long Trailer" and was wondering where the stretch of road was that they climbed the mountain. On line trivia sites say it was in the Sierra Nevadas as opposed to the Rockies. They also say that the road was so steep that the studio had to substitute the 1953 Mercury with similar looking but more powerful 1953 Lincoln to get up the hill.

Do any of you recognize the location in Eastern California and specifically what road it might be and where (nearest town).

Have any of you daring soles tried to climb it with your own Long Long Trailer?

Has the road been improved since 1953 or has the Interstate Highway system passed it by?

The road is Tioga Pass in eastern California going into Yosemite NP. The road is nothing like it was, though it is a pretty steep grade. I can't remember what the elevation was at the bottom but you do climb to 8,000 ft quickly. We pulled the 26' Overlander up it with ease.

Chaplain Kent · 05-20-2006, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rseagle

I was recently watching the classic Lucie/Desi movie "The Long Long Trailer" ?

Is this movie available on DVD? We have a very old VHS copy which is worn away and would love to have a DVD copy.
Every time my wife walks to the back of Chummy while I am driving she says she is going to start the souffle. I break out in my best tenor with the souffle song.

balrgn · 05-20-2006, 07:09 AM

Sure is

http://turnerclassic.moviesunlimited...SX588QAFU22HBF

rseagle · 05-21-2006, 10:47 AM

Great Info. Thanks!

2airishuman · 05-21-2006, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by balrgn

Sure is

http://turnerclassic.moviesunlimited...SX588QAFU22HBF

hi balrgn.....
have you purchased this version? has turner classic movies redone this disc?

it looks different than the vhs2dvd version i've seen advertised.

this one supposedly has subtitles/multilanguages and other bits on the disc.

the other version i've seen was basically a dvd copy of the old vhs with no extras....sort of like a home copy.

cheers
2air'

balrgn · 05-21-2006, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2airishuman

hi balrgn.....
have you purchased this version? has turner classic movies redone this disc?

it looks different than the vhs2dvd version i've seen advertised.

this one supposedly has subtitles/multilanguages and other bits on the disc.

the other version i've seen was basically a dvd copy of the old vhs with no extras....sort of like a home copy.

cheers
2air'

Have not purchased it (yet) Looks to be loaded with extras and I remember hearing that Turner re-mastered the film. Has Dolby Digital mono, So I'll bet it is awesome!

wkerfoot · 05-21-2006, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rseagle

I was recently watching the classic Lucie/Desi movie "The Long Long Trailer" and was wondering where the stretch of road was that they climbed the mountain. On line trivia sites say it was in the Sierra Nevadas as opposed to the Rockies. They also say that the road was so steep that the studio had to substitute the 1953 Mercury with similar looking but more powerful 1953 Lincoln to get up the hill.

Do any of you recognize the location in Eastern California and specifically what road it might be and where (nearest town).

Have any of you daring soles tried to climb it with your own Long Long Trailer?

Has the road been improved since 1953 or has the Interstate Highway system passed it by?

Rseagle,

As was stated it is Tioga Pass road from Lee Vining to Yosemite National Park. The summit is just short of 10,000 feet (about 9,995 feet). The road today is the same although it has been paved since the movie was filmed.

Bill

53flyingcloud · 05-21-2006, 03:19 PM

Here's a link to a interesting series of pictures of that pass...
http://www.uwsp.edu/geo/projects/geo.../TiogaPass.HTM

overlander63 · 05-21-2006, 04:25 PM

Bob, they did indeed have to use a "stunt double" for the Merc in the movie, it just didn't have the cajones to handle the hill. Also, if you count the number of times Desi downshifted going up the hill, you would think the car had a 13 speed transmission

.

Chaplain Kent · 05-22-2006, 07:03 AM

How come they were Nicky and Tracy and not Ricky and Lucy?

bredlo · 05-22-2006, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chaplain Kent

How come they were Nicky and Tracy and not Ricky and Lucy?

Must have been trying to really break out of their t.v. roles, really stretch their acting abilities. So they broke the mold by playing a loveable but flighty wife... and her accomodating yet impatient husband.

ALANSD · 05-22-2006, 10:12 AM

love that film, its funny...I collected rocks from a bunch of camping spots also, only not all at once like she did. They now adorn my garden.

65glbtrotter · 05-22-2006, 12:46 PM

here is the dvd also
http://www.deepdiscountdvd.com/dvd.cfm?itemID=WBD067975
the other link was a Desi & Lucy collection like this one
http://www.deepdiscountdvd.com/dvd.cfm?itemID=WBD076090
this site has very good prices and free shipping.

rseagle · 05-23-2006, 02:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 53FlyingCloud

Here's a link to a interesting series of pictures of that pass...
http://www.uwsp.edu/geo/projects/geo.../TiogaPass.HTM

Great photos!

76sovereign · 06-20-2008, 01:44 PM

Lucie and Desi's (Ricky) Classic Movie "The Long Long Trailer" is going to be on the Classic Movie Channel (TMC) Sunday 6/22/2008 @ 5:15 pm Central.
Check your local listings.

I have seen clips of the movie but never the Whole thing. I'm so excited I had to share it with you!

Kani
__________________

airedale · 06-20-2008, 02:33 PM

you can find the DVD at camping world too!

Aerowood · 06-20-2008, 02:45 PM

We watched it at the FCU restoration rally. It was the first time my wife had seen it, and I hadn't seen it in decades. We just recently watched RV with Robin Williams and The Long Long Trailer is sooo much better. I love the Rocks

Lumatic · 06-20-2008, 05:58 PM

Here's my front yard.

One rock story stands out. The regular tunnel near Santa Rita NM was closed due to a rockslide so they detoured us through the Phelps Dodge open pit copper mine. Following pilot car through the mine in the middle of 50 foot high dump trucks with 12' tires my wife spotted this big piece of azurite. Never weighed it but it was heavy, and big, and now has a place of honor with it's friends in my front yard.