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STUNTS, STARS & LEGENDS - February 2013

Stunts Stars And Legends: Carey Loftin
(January 31, 1914 - March 4, 1997)

by John Hagner (Artist of the Stars)

Carey LoftonStuntman/Actor and Stunt Coordinator, Carey Lofton was born in Bountstown, Florida. He attended High School in Mississippi. Arguably Hollywood’s Leading Vehicle Stuntman, his action skills were evident in hundreds of movies for more than 50 years. He began his career in stunts as a member of a traveling motorcycle stunt show in the early 1930s when he was 19.

Loftin was stunt coordinator in such classic adventures as 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Walking Tall, The Sugarland Express, The Deer Hunter, The China Syndrome, Rebel Without A Cause, Spartacus, Patton, The French Connection, Bullitt, and The Great Race. I had the privilege of working in this thrilling movie, starring Tony Curtis, Natalie Wood, Jack Lemmon and Peter Falk. I was one of the bakers in the Bake Shop where we threw more than 3,500 real fruit-filled pies that took 4 days to complete and the sequence appeared on screen for about 6 minutes. It made the ‘Guinness Book of Records for having thrown the most pies in a film’!

In the film, Duel, Carey and Dale Van Sickel performed one of the most nerve-wrenching sequence of stunt driving ever filmed. He drove the truck and Van Sickel was doubling for Dennis Weaver in the car.

In Vanishing Point filmed on location in Moab in 1971, Loftin’s expertise in driving was very evident. It starred Barry Newman. Clint Eastwood’s film, The Rookies was Carey’s last final stunt work.

He passed away in Huntington Beach, California in 1997.

Note: Artist of the Stars, John G. Hagner is Founder of the Hollywood Stuntmen’s Hall of Fame which was located in Moab from 1989 til 1995 in the building that is now the MARC. The Hall of Fame is presently without a home. It is a Non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the history of the Stunt Profession and to honoring stunt people the world over. Anyone wishing to make a donation may do so by mailing your tax-deductible donation to: Hollywood Stuntmen’s Hall of Fame (making it to ‘Building Fund’), 81 W. Kane Creek Blvd., #12, Moab, Utah 84532. Website: www.stuntmen.org. email: johnhagner@yahoo.com. Hall of Fame email address is: stuntmenshalloffame@gmail.com. Phone number: (435)-260-2160.

John Hagner is the author of seven books on the subject of stunt history. His first book is entitled, Falling For Stars, followed by Dave Sharpe and Me, Richard Talmadge: The Incomparable, Bob Rose: The Nerviest Stuntman Ever, Jocko: Kangaroo Legs, The Stuntmen and How To Be A Movie Stuntman. All of his books were self-published. He is looking for a Publisher to handle his books.


Movies Made in Moab

RUN COUGAR RUN (1970)
A Walt Disney Production, starring Stuart Whitman and Harry Carey, Jr.
It was filmed on location at Locomotive Rock, George White’s ranch, Arches National Park, Dead Horse Point State Park and Bill McCormick’s ranch in Castle Valley. The Utah scenery becomes a star of the film.

Story: This is a story about a mountain lion named Seeta, whose mate is killed by trophy hunters. Arah plays a shepherd who befriends Seeta and eventually is responsible for her escape.

VANISHING POINT (1971)
Starring: Barry Newman and Dean Jagger
Filmed on location at Thompson Springs and Cisco, along Interstate 70.
Story: Barry Newman (Kowalski) is employed at a car delivery service. He takes delivery of a 1970 Dodge Challenger to transport it from Colorado to San Francisco, California. He takes a bet shortly after pickup, to get the car at its destination within 15 hours. Following a few run-ins with motorcycle cops and highway patrol, a chase ensues to take him into custody. Kowalski, along the way, is guided by Supersoul, a blind disc jockey, who has a police radio scanner. There’s lots of chase sequences, headlined by vehicle stuntman, Carey Loftin.

 

If interested in learning more about the Hall of Fame, please contact John Hagner (Founder) at 435 260-2160.
email: johnhagner@hotmail.com
Hall of Fame website: www.stuntmen.org

John Hagner (Founder) is also the Artist of the Stars.
His Celebrity Portrait Drawings are available at telephone 435-259-7000,
Mailing address: 50 W. 400 N, Moab, Utah 84532.
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