THE FANTASTIC PLASTIC MACHINE

Year Published: 1969

Description:

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Part 2: https://youtu.be/dF_EYMUSHPQ

"The Fantastic Plastic Machine" is a documentary film from 1969 that follows a group of California surfers as they travel to an Australian surfing competition. The film is narrated by Jay North and was directed by Eric and Lowell Blum. The film covers an epic surfing journey through California, Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji. The soundtrack for this film was composed by Harry Betts.

00:00:Main titles. A flight from New Zealand to Los Angeles is cleared for landing.
2:52: The flight is given further instructions to head directly to Catalina, maintaining flight level 360.
3:06: The departure control frequency for the flight is set to 24.3.
4:23 - 4:46: Discussion shifts to Fiji, located 7,000 miles from Los Angeles, describing it as a colony with 250 islands, only 80 inhabited.
5:25 - 11:30: Describes cultural and economic changes in Fiji, including the influence of East Indian immigrants, the development of small towns with shops and restaurants, and the traditional Fijian village life.
12:23 - 14:25: A surfing experience in Fiji is recounted, where locals learn to surf, leading to a cultural exchange with gift-giving and a celebration of friendship.
14:25 - 15:59: Introduction to the "mechi," a traditional Fijian event celebrating heritage through songs and dances.
16:51 - 17:57: The narrative moves back to New Zealand, where the group decides to end their Fiji trip due to flat ocean conditions, planning to surf in a lagoon and prepare for a contest in New Zealand.
22:10 - 24:09: Describes the challenges of traveling in New Zealand, including heavy rainfall, unpaved roads, and numerous livestock causing roadblocks.
24:32 - 25:41: The group experiences frustration with the lack of surfable waves after extensive travel along New Zealand's East Coast.
25:48 - 26:30: A local suggests visiting a rock slide as an alternative activity, which turns out to be a positive experience.
27:02 - 28:31: Despite renewed hope, the weather worsens, leading to further disappointment but also determination to continue the search for good waves.
29:22 - 33:17: The group finally finds good waves at Wani, New Zealand, where they surf and prepare for an upcoming contest. Profiles of some surfers and their performances are highlighted.
33:51 - 36:03: Travel to Raglin on the other coast where they find excellent surfing conditions, leading to enthusiastic surfing sessions.
36:03 - 37:14: More detailed accounts of surfing at Raglin, showcasing various surfers, including notable performances by both local and visiting surfers, with a humorous note about a wipeout.

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Complete Record: "The Fantastic Plastic Machine" is a documentary film from 1969 that follows a group of California surfers as they travel to an Australian surfing competition. The film is narrated by Jay North and was directed by Eric and Lowell Blum. The film covers an epic surfing journey through California, Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji. The soundtrack for this film was composed by Harry Betts. Reel 1 00:00:Main titles. A flight from New Zealand to Los Angeles is cleared for landing. 2:52: The flight is given further instructions to head directly to Catalina, maintaining flight level 360. 3:06: The departure control frequency for the flight is set to 24.3. 4:23 - 4:46: Discussion shifts to Fiji, located 7,000 miles from Los Angeles, describing it as a colony with 250 islands, only 80 inhabited. 5:25 - 11:30: Describes cultural and economic changes in Fiji, including the influence of East Indian immigrants, the development of small towns with shops and restaurants, and the traditional Fijian village life. 12:23 - 14:25: A surfing experience in Fiji is recounted, where locals learn to surf, leading to a cultural exchange with gift-giving and a celebration of friendship. 14:25 - 15:59: Introduction to the "mechi," a traditional Fijian event celebrating heritage through songs and dances. 16:51 - 17:57: The narrative moves back to New Zealand, where the group decides to end their Fiji trip due to flat ocean conditions, planning to surf in a lagoon and prepare for a contest in New Zealand. 22:10 - 24:09: Describes the challenges of traveling in New Zealand, including heavy rainfall, unpaved roads, and numerous livestock causing roadblocks. 24:32 - 25:41: The group experiences frustration with the lack of surfable waves after extensive travel along New Zealand's East Coast. 25:48 - 26:30: A local suggests visiting a rock slide as an alternative activity, which turns out to be a positive experience. 27:02 - 28:31: Despite renewed hope, the weather worsens, leading to further disappointment but also determination to continue the search for good waves. 29:22 - 33:17: The group finally finds good waves at Wani, New Zealand, where they surf and prepare for an upcoming contest. Profiles of some surfers and their performances are highlighted. 33:51 - 36:03: Travel to Raglin on the other coast where they find excellent surfing conditions, leading to enthusiastic surfing sessions. 36:03 - 37:14: More detailed accounts of surfing at Raglin, showcasing various surfers, including notable performances by both local and visiting surfers, with a humorous note about a wipeout. Reel 2 0:08 - 0:27: Introduction with cool trick, setting the stage for competitive surfing. 0:27 - 1:02: Highlights the anticipation of meeting Australian surfers like Nat Young, discussing their reputation through magazine articles. 1:02 - 1:43: Arrival in Sydney, with the team feeling both excitement and apprehension about facing the Australians. 1:43 - 2:41: Encounter with Bob McTavish, who introduces them to Sydney in a humorous, tour-guide fashion, avoiding direct talk about the contest. 2:41 - 3:53: Arrival at the contest site, where McTavish explains his decision not to compete due to the commercial nature of contests, emphasizing his focus on board design and wave riding. 3:53 - 4:23: The American team is shocked by the Australians' board designs, which are shorter with V-shaped bottoms, setting a competitive tone. 4:23 - 5:02: Contrasting the expected hostility with the warm reception by Australians, leading to confusion about previous articles. 5:02 - 6:37: McTavish explains the historical context of Australian surfing's recognition, the controversy, and the current focus on sharing ideas rather than rivalry. 6:37 - 7:10: Brief introduction to the contest's rules and the semi-finalists from both teams. 7:10 - 9:25: The semi-finals are described with commentary on each surfer's performance, highlighting the differences in board use and surfing styles. 9:25 - 10:27: A pivotal moment where Skip Fry loses his board, affecting his performance; however, Mike Purpus and Steve Bigler make it to the finals. 10:27 - 15:52: Finals at Palm Beach with detailed commentary on each surfer's moves, highlighting the innovative surfing techniques of the Australians. 15:52 - 18:36: The tense final decision leading to Ted Spencer's victory, with commentary on the close nature of the competition. 18:36 - 19:02: Post-contest celebration where Ted Spencer gets both official and unofficial prizes. 19:02 - 20:50: McTavish discusses the philosophy behind shorter, more maneuverable boards, crediting George Greenough's innovations. 20:50 - 21:49: The American team leaves Australia with new insights, still curious about Nat Young who didn't compete. 21:49 - 23:56: Nat Young reflects on his journey from contest-driven to a more personal, expressive approach to surfing, emphasizing self-discovery. 23:56 - 26:58: Young discusses the limitations of contests for personal expression in surfing, contrasting with McTavish's focus on board design for performance. 26:58 - 30:03: Introduction to George Greenough, showcasing his unique approach to surfing with a kneeling stance on a custom, flexible board. 30:03 - 36:39: More detailed look at Greenough's scientific approach to board design, his self-education, and his revolutionary surfing techniques, seen as the future of surfing. 36:39 - 38:27: Nat Young concludes with his philosophy on surfing, emphasizing the harmony between the surfer, board, and wave, advocating for an intuitive rather than a thought-driven approach to surfing.

Transcription

e [Applause] [Music] a [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] oh [Music] [Music] [Music] n [Music] [Music] n [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] here New Zealand 558 the Los Angeles Tower clear to the CG airport fly heading 250 Vector two shark intersection direct Catalina clear as file maintain flight level 360 departure control frequency will be 24.3 Boger 558 [Music] [Applause] [Applause] [Music] you [Music] [Music] 7,000 mi from Los Angeles in the southwestern Pacific lies the colony of Fiji it consists of 250 Islands only 80 of which are inhabited [Music] for my the [Music] s [Music] morning [Music] long [Music] why [Music] the way way [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] number [Music] [Music] [Music] when you've traveled all your life on Modern highways and you suddenly find yourself in an old bus on a Dusty single Lane Road you're not quite sure what's going on later when you casually look out the window and you don't see an ugly Factory inside but you see miles and miles of natural beauty instead you begin to understand so by the time you stop at a railroad crossing and see the Antiquated train you already know that you've gone back 50 years in time [Music] for centuries Fiji was one of the most misunderstood places on Earth hair raising stories were told about the bloody tribal Warfare and cannibalism that existed here to Merchant Seaman it was the one place to avoid above all others they referred to Fiji as the devil country but about 60 years ago a handful of East Indians landed here they were happy to find that the tribesmen had abandoned their savagery and that they simply wanted freedom and peace as all sensible people [Music] doo since that time more and more East Indians have come so that now you find small towns and miniature shopping centers popping up here and there [Music] there are little restaurants which feature a variety of curry dishes there are shops which specialize in Threads and Yarns and others which sell spices candies and dried fruits there are also stores which sell the wood carvings and paintings of the local artists [Music] [Applause] [Music] the Fijian tribes live in villages which are the centers of their culture their Huts are made of bamboo and covered with coconut [Music] leaves the people hardly speak any English but we never had any trouble understanding how we felt about each other [Music] [Applause] we were the first people to ever surf in Fiji and it was an incredible experience for the kids of this this Village to them the ocean had always been a place for fishing and bathing they never dreamed it could be so much fun [Applause] [Applause] after a while they even got to understand some of the terms Surfers use like wipe out little Kenny was their favorite and probably cuz he was closest to their own ages [Applause] Mickey was pretty popular [Applause] too and so was [Applause] skip but Kenny was their hero [Music] after he finished the kids held a little ceremony the idea was to celebrate their new friendship by exchanging gifts Kenny gave his shirt to the chief's son who in turn gave him his Sulu to a young Fijian the Sulu is a sign of manhood and consequently is his most precious possession then came a surprise will you come to the me what's that you know like the fijians have great pride in their Heritage especially as Warriors the mechi is a collection of songs and dances which relive the glories of the past [Music] [Applause] [Music] my [Music] on [Music] [Applause] [Laughter] [Music] [Applause] when we arrived at the beach the next morning we saw that the ocean was too flat for surfing this was our last day in Fiji and we wanted to make the most of it so we headed for the Lagoon where there was a power booat we'd have plenty of time to get ready for the Aussies when we got to New Zealand today was a day for groovin [Music] n la [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] a [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] [Music] let I [Music] [Applause] [Music] my S GL the [Music] to soon you be sa far across the sea [Music] [Applause] [Music] the first thing you become aware of when you make a long trip through the South Seas is that everyone has his own way of killing time [Music] the last thing you become aware of is that you have just passed through paradise and soon it will only be a [Music] memory if you've got an important contest to get ready for you've got to be crazy to do it in New Zealand it rains here about 150 days a year and since most of the roads are unpaved it's only a matter of time before you run into [Applause] [Applause] trouble hey I'm stuck if you're a Californian you're never going to get used to pushing your car through the mud out of the streams but if you've lived here all your life you know there's no no point in complaining because misery is all a part of chasing the surf here in New Zealand there's still another problem you run into when you're looking for waves here although the whole country has only 2 and 1/2 million people it has 2 million cattle and 50 million sheep [Music] the first time you get roadblocked it's an experience by the seventh or eighth time it's a big drag 3 days of grueling travel went by and we couldn't find a single ridable wave it was hard to believe but since our arrival in New Zealand we driven up and down the East Coast about 900 miles and at every spot it was the same story dead flat this trip was fast becoming an endless bummer another day was shot by now we were pretty discouraged one of the local guys suggested that we follow him to the rock slide he wouldn't tell us what it was he just guaranteed that it would really Stoke us and man he was so right [Music] [Applause] [Music] go [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] the next day with our hopes revived we were back on the road looking for The elusive waves but then it started to rain again and when we got to the ocean we could see that this spot was even flatter than the last one we didn't get some waves soon we'd get wiped out by the Aussies we were really down but later when the sun came out I'd hope that maybe our luck would change along with the weather it changed all right it got worse it was time for us to carefully consider our next step we could stop and have a good meal and we could laugh New Zealand off like it never happened or we could call Australia and cancel the contest maybe we should just burn our boards and Pi up a new sport who knows one of us might even become a champion [Music] someday well we finally decided we'd stick it out the local guys assured us that a little faith would end this nightmare wake up Mike let's get it on the Surfs Up [Music] are f [Applause] right the country New Zealand the place wani the feeling out of [Music] sight the water temperature was much colder here than in Fiji so some of us put on our wet suits [Music] on Steve bigler's first ride he showed that he was thinking ahead to Australia and the contest on Mickey mano's first ride he showed that he owned the smallest wet suit in the world [Music] Peter Johnson is one of the hottest Juniors around and he looked like he was about ready to take on the [Music] heavyweights it didn't take long before we had wakat pretty well wired [Music] [Music] many people feel that skip fry is America's best surfer he's got the smoothest style you'll ever see anywhere [Music] the waves here break off the point and they have a lot of power we were getting a lot of really neat rides this was just what we needed to sharpen us up for the contest [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] rides like this got Steve fourth place in the last World contest a goofy footer named Alan burn is one of New Zealand's top [Music] Surfers Peter way is another New Zealand goofy footer not only did Peter have goofy feet he seemed to have goofy hands as well [Music] the local guys convinced us that we should take a crack at Ragin which is on the other coast so the next day we were on the road again headed West toward the tasmin sea with a good surf under our belts we were relaxed for the first time and we grooved with the beauty of New Zealand [Music] when we pulled into Raglin and saw that it was breaking we were really stoked yeah you have to be a surfer to appreciate the thrill you get when you arrive at a classic spot and see that it's on nothing is going to stop you from riding those waves least of all a locked [Music] [Applause] gate at moments like these it seems that you can never wax up quickly enough you've just got to get into the water you know that waves die as abruptly as the storms which created them then as you approach the ocean the doubt set in man I hope the wind doesn't blow the place out je the water's freezing but then as you paddle out you think of all the days when there weren't any waves and you know how lucky you really are [Music] Mago Godfrey is probably the best girl surfer in the world the local guys were surprised that a girl could be so [Music] good Kenny had a neat thing going for him until he got in over his head if we were to beat the Aussies skip would have to come through all it would take would be a ride a two like this one [Music] [Applause] [Music] the left-handed Point Break at Raglin was ideal for Alan [Music] burn Joey hamasaki is one of the few girls in the world who can offer a serious challenge to Margo [Music] Mike purpose is a surfer with a great future he sure made a strong impression on the new zealanders [Music] Mickey and Steve showed the boys a game they play at [Music] Malibu outside of the person it happens to everyone gets stoked by a hairy Wipeout everyone but Kenny that is

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