MovieChat Forums > The Seven-Ups (1973) Discussion > Stunt man, Jerry Summers

Stunt man, Jerry Summers

posted 18 years ago by wrfarley
6 replies | jump to latest

I just did an imdb check and found out that Jerry Summers died on Jan. 1. For those who enjoy the chase in THE SEVEN-UPS, Summers did most of the driving of Scheider's Pontiac Ventura. There's a promotional behind-the-scenes documentary about the making of this film, which was aired on CBS and on David Steinberg's then talk show (I saw them both) back in '73 when the movie opened. In it, they show the making of the chase, including the memorable shot of the car going under the truck. Interestingly, when Summers emerged from the car, he was bloodied more than Roy Scheider's character.

[–] GunHillTrain 18 years ago

I assume Summers had to be wearing some kind of restraint system when doing that stunt. When I first saw the movie, I assumed they just launched an unmanned car into the back of the truck.

I think Scheider's character, without seat belts, would have been severly injured or killed by crashing into the firewall beneath the dashboard. But, oh well, it's only a movie!

[–] wrfarley 18 years ago

Actually, a seat belt might've been worse, as he probably would've been de-capitated.

In the documentary, they show Summers positioning himself UNDER the dashboard and operated the accelerator and brake with his hands (he only had to drive the car 30 or 40 feet for the shot). I also remember director Phil D'Antoni's reaction to the stunt: "Beautiful...just beautiful." As I wrote, the doc shows Summers emerging from the car smiling, but with a big gash on his head.

If this DVD release is any good at all, it will include this behind-the-scenes documentary, which covers the chase scene in a major way.

[–] GunHillTrain 18 years ago

I saw the movie in a theater back in '73. People in the audience were saying things like, "Oh, man, did you see that!" when that crash occurred.

[–] jpav36363 18 years ago

I agree. I actually saw this movie several times in the mid-seventies because of the car chase scene. (Plus back then the would re-run movies several times over the years at the cheaper theatres) Definately one of the best car chase scenes on film. Seems to me I watched Jerry Summers talking about it on the Merv Griffin or Mike Douglas show back and said that he did not use a seat belt. Crazy man! Other great car chase movies; of course the French Connection, Dirty Mary and Crazy Larry, Vanishing Point, and White Line Fever. They don't make them like that anymore.

[–] wrfarley 18 years ago

GunHillTrain,

In '73, do you remember where you saw it? I remember it opened at what was called at the time "Flagship" theaters. I saw it at the Eastside Cinema on E55th St and 3rd Avenue (I think they recently closed it). Being from the Bronx, I guess you saw it at the Valentine.

Another question: Where the hell was that car wash, in the Bronx or on the West Side of Manhattan where the chase begins? I think they're playing location tricks on us again.

Back to Jerry Summers, when the Pontiac Ventura crashes through the fruit stand on 9th Avenue and when it drives on the grassy knoll on the Saw Mill Parkway, on the over-the-shoulder shots looking through the windshield, that's the back of Jerry Summer's head.

[–] ptomaino 16 years ago

if i remember the truck was not suppose to be there since trucks are not alowed on the parkways