Mickey's Deuce Phaeton

[Grandadeo]

"Oh the Humanity," just watched Mickey Rooney put a Deuce Phaeton up on its side in "The Strip", Sunset not drag.

 

[deuce lover]

I believe it was owned by MGM, They had a major auction in the late 60's and a friend of mind got it for $3800.It was a very early production car - had the flange block w/ dipstick on the right.

 

[Grandadeo]

Wow Sheldon, if anyone would know Hollywood car history you would. How are things in paradise?

 

[TonyM]

Same car was driven my Judy Garland in Girl Crazy (1943).

 

[deuce lover]

Wow Sheldon, if anyone would know Hollywood car history you would. How are things in paradise?

Can't complain except we have a cold front(might drop below 70) coming and waves are 45-55 ft.
When MGM had that auction ,I bought the catalog and went on preview day.Lots of movie props,cowboy guns but I wanted to see that Deuce tub.Couldn't believe it went that high -twice what it was worth at the time.MGM bought it new and only used it around the lot and in movies.Low mileage for sure.

 

[2935ford]

I remember that auction........it was huge and lots of really cool movie stuff!

 

[rockfla]

I would LOVE to know who got Otis Campbell's 1933 Cabriolet and the 1938 Convertible from the Andy Griffith show????

 

[redo32]

The '32 Phaeton is in the Justice Bros Museum in Duarte, Ca.

 

[Grandadeo]

Then I've seen it and never knew it. Last time I was there we got a guided tour by Bill Sr.

 

[Charles Seims]

"Oh the Humanity," just watched Mickey Rooney put a Deuce Phaeton up on its side in "The Strip", Sunset not drag.

The staged accident did not seem to hurt the 32 phaeton. This was a very early car, bought by Louis B. Mayer, MGM CEO, when only celebrities or people who were "connected" could get a 32 V8. It was eventually banished to the MGM prop department, and used in at least three films that I can identify. The first, COMRADE X (1940) stars Clark Gable and Hedy Lamarr (totally miscast as a Soviet streetcar operator) fleeing the nasty commies in the phaeton. Next, GIRL CRAZY (1942) with Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland, and direction by Busby Berkeley. This is the all time best movie for 32 enthusiasts. Finally, Mickey drove and wrecked it in THE STRIP (1950), still today a very good movie about Hollywood crime. The car was sold in 1970 at the MGM studio auction to a friend of mine. I have one front fender (right, I think) off it on my Vicky. The phaeton was later resold to a man who made it into a (my opinion) rather tasteless street rod. It can be seen today at the Justice Brothers Racing Museum near Pomona, California.

The movies I mentioned should be available from Netflix.