Jack Nicholson

Columbia Pictures released Easy Rider on July 14, 1969, fifty-five years ago last Sunday.

I missed seeing it that summer, because I was busy on the farm driving a 92 Massey Harris combine in wheat harvest. I missed the film later, because I was busy my sophomore year in high school running here, there and everywhere: cross country, track, and basketball.

I admit. I have never watched Easy Rider. Other things have crowded out my time.

The film was a runaway success, grossing $60 million, but only cost between $360,000 and $400,000 to shoot, plus another million for licensed music tracks that pl...