American Pop/Fun Facts
From The Grindhouse Cinema Database
< American Pop
- Some of the gangland scenes are rotoscoped footage from The Public Enemy (1931).
- Except for a few bits of live-action stock footage and the still drawings in the opening credits, the movie is entirely rotoscoped.
- Although all of the characters are fictional, many were partially inspired by real people. The character of Frankie, for instance, was based on Grace Slick (of Jefferson Airplane) and Janis Joplin (of Big Brother and the Holding Company).
- The two dancers in the "Sing Sing Sing With a Swing" montage are the rotoscoped Nicholas brothers in Stormy Weather (1943).
- Although not specifically stated, the incident in which Zalmie's mother dies appears to be the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, a one of the worst industrial disasters in New York City's history. 146 garment workers, mostly immigrant women, died either in the fire, or by jumping from the windows of the 8th-10th floors because the doors were locked shut. The fire prompted legislative and union action to improve safety and working conditions in garment sweatshops.
- According to Ralph Bakshi, he originally wanted to end the movie with Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Free Bird".
- Director Cameo: Ralph Bakshi as the voice of the piano player who tells a pregnant Bella that her song "is going to be a big hit. I think you should try it out."
- Played on a double bill at The Selwyn with Black Moses in March 1981.
