While Jaws was the film that put Steven Spielberg on the Hollywood map, the filmmaker began his theatrical directing debut a year before in 1974 with The Sugarland Express. This crime drama starring Goldie Hawn in the lead role, was screened in the presence of Spielberg at this year’s Tribeca Festival as a celebration of the 50th anniversary of its release.
Speaking at the event, the Oscar winner recalled his association with Universal Pictures and the challenges the film was faced with. With the production company having one major non-negotiable condition for the film to be given the green signal, the Jurassic Park director revealed how Hawn’s presence saved the day for him.
Goldie Hawn Made Steven Spielberg’s Debut Film A Reality
In 1974, Steven Spielberg took his first step to becoming the iconic filmmaker he is today with his debut feature film titled The Sugarland Express. This fast-paced thriller follows the story of a couple played by veteran star Goldie Hawn and William Atherton who get involved in a dangerous car chase to get back their child before he is permanently placed in foster care.
The film was critically well received but failed to set the box office alight in terms of its collections. This unfortunately resulted in production giant Universal Pictures pulling the movie out of theaters in just two weeks of its release. To celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2024, Spielberg attended a special event at the Tribeca Festival where the film was aired for an audience again.
The Sugarland Express’ box office predicament was not the only challenge that the Schindler’s List filmmaker faced in his collaboration with Universal Pictures. In an exclusive interview with Variety during the event, Spielberg revealed the production company’s condition that they would step on board only if the film was headlined by a recognizable star in Hollywood.
Thankfully for the director, Goldie Hawn who was one of the most sought-after stars in the industry at the time, graciously accepted to play the lead role of the mother and main protagonist Lou Jean Poplin. Spielberg who was extremely grateful for her presence in the film, believed that Hawn was absolutely tailor-made for the part.
The movie wouldn’t have gotten made without her. There was an element of the character, a bucolic element, that reminded me of the simplicity of Goldie’s heart.
Hawn for her part, sent a heartfelt message though video that was played at the festival in which she thanked Spielberg for bringing her on board for this memorable film that set the ball rolling for him in Hollywood.
Steven Spielberg’s Dream Partnership With John Williams Began With The Sugarland Express
It is a known fact that filmmaking is a collaborative effort that requires the expertise of various people to bring a script to life on screen. In this regard, a film’s narrative and its background score are two elements that are intrinsically connected to one another. Prolific composer John Williams and director extraordinaire Steven Spielberg are a match made in heaven when it comes to the partnership between story and music.
Spielberg’s biggest blockbusters that include Jaws, Raiders of the Lost Ark, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Jurassic Park, and Schindler’s List to name a few, have been brilliantly enhanced by Williams’ rousing scores that have become as memorable as the films themselves.
This legendary collaboration between this talented director-composer duo began half a century ago with the filmmaker’s debut work, The Sugarland Express. In an interview with Variety, Spielberg revealed that he had manifested a lifelong dream to work with a genius like Williams, and believed that he was extremely fortunate that life granted him the opportunity to do so.
I had been such a rabid fan of John’s scores, I used to collect soundtrack albums since I was a kid. I vowed that if I ever get a chance to make a feature film, whoever this, I assumed he was British, guy John Williams, I want him to be the one to score it.
The Fabelmans director went down memory lane and recalled his first meeting with the composer which was a short and simple lunch that resulted in a 50-year long relationship and counting, which will go down as one of the greatest collaborations in Hollywood.
The Sugarland Express can be rented on Apple TV.
