American Graffiti theme prevails at local eatery during weekend of hot rods, oldies music, and appearance of American Graffiti movie stars

  • Jennifer Kneuss
  • August 23, 2010
  • 417
                        
1960’s music blared, and a sea of classic and antique cars stretched across the parking lot of Hot Rod City in New Philadelphia on August 21 and 22, as the restaurant and pizza shop celebrated an event with an American Graffiti theme. Visitors flocked to not only dine at the 60’s nostalgia eatery, but also to have the opportunity to meet two of the primary actors from the 1973 movie. “We have Paul Lemat, from American Graffiti as John Milner, here, and we have Cindy Williams, of Laverne and Shirley and American Graffiti,” stated Greg Donaldson, owner of Hot Rod City. “ A lot of people have come to see them. We are real pleased to have this American Graffiti weekend here at Hot Rod City.” “I have the sound track, and the laser disk from American Graffiti here, signed by Cindy and Paul,” said Scott Bennett. “I am a big fan. I collect things from the movie, and I have probably seen the movie at least 30 to 40 times or more.” Beverly Coffman was patiently waiting in line for her turn to get an autograph. “I’m a big fan of both of them. Paul Lemat was at Canfield, Ohio, and we got his autograph there, so we wanted to come here and get Cindy’s today.” Lisa Burrell, of Dover, was eating at a nearby table. “I did not realize this was going on today,” admitted Burrell. “We came to eat, and brought my aunts and my uncle along. Growing up, I loved Laverne and Shirley. I watched it all the time, and I still try to find the re-runs when they’re on. I really like Cindy Williams, and her character as Shirley. It was a real surprise when we came and she was here. It was like, wow, that really is her sitting up there! She is awesome.” There were photo opportunities both inside and outside the restaurant, where classic car owners pulled up their vehicles for a snapshot of themselves, Williams, and Lemat standing by their cars. Inside, Actor Paul Lemat, who played rough talking mechanic John in the 1973 movie, was patiently greeting fans. “My home is the road nowadays. I travel all over, but I’m really in southern California. That’s where I reside, and where my agent is…I keep waiting for him to get me another acting job. I enjoy going around and meeting people, but it does wear me out. I’m not 20 anymore, I’m not even 30 anymore,” he commented wryly. “Looking back at American Graffiti, God blessed me with the part, and I am grateful. I meet a lot of nice people, and I got some good movies after that because American Graffiti was so successful, and people wanted to hire me,” he said. Lemat told of how he landed a career as an actor. “In high school, I got interested in acting, and did some in college. I studied in New York, and then came to Hollywood. I kicked around a little bit, got some auditions, and then got lucky. My first thing in Hollywood was American Graffiti. I had done a film in New York, and a director saw that, and wanted me to do this boxing movie, but that didn’t work out. However, the casting director of the boxing movie remembered me and told George Lucas about me, and so he hired me for American Graffiti. It worked out well. I’ve had ups and downs. Its not the easiest business in the world.” Lemat’s car show appearance circuit keeps him busy these days. “I am going back to Los Angeles tonight, and then I’m coming back to New York on Wednesday to do some shows. I like old cars. Its been great here at Hot Rod City. I thought it was Hot Dog City when I first saw the sign, but Bob, my associate, corrected me,” Lemat said, a boyish grin crossing his face. “Everybody should come here and look at all of these pictures and these neon signs.”


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