Semi-watching one of the old movie channels late tonight when a low-rent biker movie came on; 'Angels from Hell'. Nobody in it I'd ever heard of, but when the opening title/credits started rolling, the artwork caught my eye. Sure enough, 'Titles and Stuff by Von Dutch'. Besides the opening titles, some 'biker club' wall artwork looks like his work too. A search of the movie database IMDb shows two more movie credits; uncredited 'technical adviser' on 'Electra Glide in Blue', and 'Special Effects' for 'Dolemite'. He was also involved in custom firearm building for movies/TV, most notably the cut-down rifle used by Steve McQueen in 'Wanted: Dead or Alive". Seems he didn't check with the ATF before building it (you need permission and a tax stamp to cut a rifle barrel shorter than 16") and the show producers had to pay a $1100 fine...
Von Dutch was a freelance guy, work is work. His art stands for itself and has influenced this hobby. I'll keep it positive and say he was a real ''character''. These days, the BATFE would jail someone over that barrel. Quick search didn't turn up Von Dutch art, but here's the movie poster. A ''cycle psycho''!
A couple years ago "Von Dutch" logo on a "pre-distressed" T-shirt was the coolest thing among the teenaged girl fashion set. My kids have been out of high school for a few years, and we'd sponsored an exchange student. I stupidly commented on some 15 year old's t-shirt which elicited a vacant look from said 15 year old. Didn't have the slightest clue what her t-shirt represented.
There are always dozens of Von Dutch ball caps on eBay. And usually some T-shirts. Some men's items appear there from time to time. I scored a large Von Dutch belt buckle on eBay some years ago.
The Jalopy Journal
