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In this episode, I interview Bill Allen and Todd Seligman about the upcoming graphic novel Helltrack, based on the movie Rad. I've seen some of it, it is stunning and I'm very excited to share this with you.

You can preorder Helltrack from the Kickstarter page.

Go to the Kickstarter campaign: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...

#RadMoviePodcast #HELLTRACK #RADMovie #CruJones #BillAllen #BMX #OldSchoolBMX #BMXHistory #GraphicNovel #ComicBooks #CultClassic #BMXCulture #Podcast #TonyDonaldson

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Kevin Hull stops by the Rad Movie Podcast to talk BMX nostalgia, the lasting legacy of Rad, and why the film still inspires riders and fans nearly 40 years later. From old school BMX culture to the excitement building around the 40th anniversary, this episode is pure Rad energy for longtime fans and new riders alike.

If you want to help support the show, please like, subscribe and share it with friends who are Rad fans, and consider helping me out at https://buymeacoffee.com/tonywv .

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The Rad family is heading back to where it all started.
In this episode, I’m joined by Jeremy Moser to talk about his unique connection to Rad, what it was like being on the Canada shoot as a 14-year-old living inside the chaos (and fun) of the Vans/GT crew, and most importantly, the plan for the 40th anniversary ride weekend in Canada.
📍 RAD 40th Anniversary Ride Weekend (Canada)
Calgary + Cochrane, Alberta
July 17–19, 2026 (ride days planned for the weekend, with Calgary/Cochrane potentially swapping based on partner venues)
Jeremy makes it clear: this is not a giant “festival” event. It’s a low-key, ride-focused weekend to meet up, bring your family, bring a bike (or don’t), and cruise the iconic locations with locals who know the routes by heart.
We also get into:
How Jeremy’s mom met Everett Rosecrans, and how that led to a cross-country leap that ended with “welcome to California… now we’re going to Canada”
Two months in Calgary during filming, the pranks, the camaraderie, and Jeremy signing autographs for the first time
The growth of Jeremy’s Rad Facebook community (still one of the biggest hubs online)
The reality of organizing fan events in 2026 and why the 40th is staying intentionally simple
Rad returning to theaters, plus hype for a preview of Eddie Fiola’s documentary
Jeremy’s visit to the BMX Hall of Fame in Tulsa, where Rad artifacts are now on display
🚲 Want to help make the Canada weekend better (without making it complicated)?
If you’re a local brewery/restaurant, or you can contribute something practical, reach out to Jeremy through the Facebook page (link below once posted).
👇 LINKS (add yours here)
Jeremy’s Rad Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1636641606499957
Podcast links: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-rad-movie-podcast/id1853674205
https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-the-rad-movie-podcast-308501632/

#RadMoviePodcast #RAD #BMX #Calgary #Cochrane #EddieFiola #CruJones #80sMovies #BMXLife

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In this episode of the Rad Movie Podcast, Tony Donaldson sits down with Jamie Clarke, the actor who played Luke—Cru’s loyal friend and one of the most quoted characters in Rad (yes… “Gnarly!”).
Jamie takes us back to Calgary in the mid-’80s, when Rad rolled into town and he was just a teenager looking for a summer job. What started as a practical hustle—funding future ski adventures—turned into a life-altering moment when he caught the attention of Hal Needham and landed a speaking role that, in Jamie’s words, helped shape the direction of everything that followed.
From there, the conversation weaves through:
what it was like being a 17-year-old outsider on a set split between “Hollywood” and elite BMX riders
the behind-the-scenes reality of riding scenes (including who doubled him and why)
how movie moments like the taco’d wheel were created through classic film “magic”
and why Jamie and Bill Allen have maintained a rare, decades-long friendship that’s still going strong today
Then the interview opens up into something bigger: Jamie shares how the themes of Rad—commitment, risk, belief, and pushing into the unknown—mirrored his real life. Without turning it into a spoiler reel, you’ll hear how he transitioned from acting into entrepreneurship, public speaking, and an extraordinary adventure-driven career, including big-mountain expeditions and the mindset required to keep showing up when outcomes aren’t guaranteed.
If you love Rad history, behind-the-scenes stories, and interviews that go deeper than nostalgia, this one delivers—funny, thoughtful, and unexpectedly motivating.
🔑 Keywords / Tags
Jamie Clarke, Luke Rad, Rad Movie Podcast, Rad 1986, Bill Allen, Hal Needham, Eddie Fiola, BMX movie, BMX culture, cult classic film, 80s movies, Calgary filming, Cochrane Alberta, Helltrack, behind the scenes Rad, ADR recording, “Gnarly” quote, VHS era, Hyper Sapien, adventure athlete, mountaineering, Everest speaker, motivational speaking, entrepreneurship, outdoor adventure, public speaker

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In this special episode of the Rad Movie Podcast, host Tony Donaldson sits down with Kellie McQuiggin, best known to fans as Foxy from the iconic 1986 BMX film Rad.

Kellie opens up about how she landed her very first film role, coming from a background in professional dance, modeling, and pageants — including the surprising opportunities she turned down because of Rad. She shares what it was like stepping onto a movie set with zero BMX knowledge, working with legendary director Hal Needham, and being part of a film that quietly grew into a full-blown cult phenomenon.

The conversation dives into behind-the-scenes memories from filming in Calgary and Cochrane, unforgettable cast moments, and stories fans have rarely (if ever) heard — from dangerous stunts and freezing river scenes to wild off-camera adventures involving musicians, movie legends, and unexpected friendships.

Kellie also reflects on rediscovering Rad decades later, attending anniversary reunions, and what it means to see new generations embrace a movie she never imagined would endure. The episode closes with thoughtful insights on hindsight, creative courage, personal growth, and why the upcoming 40th anniversary feels especially meaningful.

Whether you grew up rewinding the VHS, discovered Rad later in life, or just love hearing untold stories from cult-classic cinema, this episode delivers nostalgia, humor, and genuine reflection — without spoiling all the surprises.

My email for any comments: [email protected]

Kellie's contact info for her poster:

Facebook Messenger - Kellie McQuiggin 

Instagram@kelliequiggs 

e-mail [email protected]

🔑 Keywords / Tags

Rad movie, Rad 1986, Foxy Rad, Kellie McQuiggin, BMX movie, cult classic films, BMX history, Hal Needham, Bill Allen, Eddie Fiola, Calgary filming locations, Cochrane Alberta, 80s movies, VHS era films, behind the scenes Rad, BMX culture, movie anniversaries, Rad 40th anniversary, dance scene Rad, BMX stunts, cult film interviews, Rad Movie Podcast

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Dan McDonogh—best known as “Mophead Boy” in the 1986 BMX classic Rad—joins host Tony Donaldson for a fun, behind-the-scenes chat about filming the movie in Calgary, Alberta.

Dan talks about auditioning for director Hal Needham, why his hair was literally part of the job, and how he filmed the movie at 15 (then hit theaters when he was 16). He also shares stories from set at Bowness Park, the two Mophead Boy scenes fans never forget (plus the shirt he still owns), and how his early acting experience carried into a decades-long career in the fitness industry.

We also get into Rad’s long life as a cult favorite, treasured memorabilia (including an original 1986 theater poster), BMX fandom, GT bikes, and excitement for the upcoming 40th anniversary celebration.

Rad Movie Podcast, Dan McDonogh, Mophead Boy, Rad 1986, BMX movie, Hal Needham, Calgary filming, Bowness Park, Hell Track, BMX nostalgia, 80s cult classic, GT bikes, Eddie Fiola, Cru Jones, Bill Allen, Bart Connor, Sam Bernard, BMX freestyle history, action sports films, behind the scenes Rad, Rad filming locations, BMX culture podcast, movie memorabilia, BMX interview

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BMX, Hollywood Mike Miranda, Dirty Fest, RAD movie, BMX racing, podcast, BMX history, cycling community, BMX culture, BMX events


Summary

In this engaging conversation, Hollywood Mike Miranda shares his journey from being a top BMX racer to becoming a beloved figure in the BMX community. He discusses his early influences, the creation of Dirty Fest, and the Dirty Knobs podcast, as well as his unexpected involvement in the cult classic movie RAD. The conversation highlights the camaraderie within the BMX culture and the joy of sharing experiences with friends and family.

Takeaways

Hollywood Mike Miranda embodies the spirit of BMX culture.
Dirty Fest is a highly anticipated annual event for BMX enthusiasts.
The Dirty Knobs podcast serves as a marketing arm for Dirty Fest.
Miranda's involvement in RAD was a spontaneous decision that led to unexpected fame.
The filming of RAD involved unique challenges and experiences for the BMX riders.
Miranda's practical jokes on set showcased his fun-loving personality.
The BMX community is characterized by strong friendships and shared experiences.
Miranda's career spans over 45 years in the bike industry.
The nostalgia surrounding RAD continues to impact Miranda's life today.
Miranda emphasizes the importance of having fun in BMX and life. 


Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Conversation
00:00 Insights and Takeaways
00:08 Introduction and Holiday Spirit
03:12 The BMX Journey Begins
06:10 Dirty Fest: The Ultimate BMX Reunion
09:18 The Dirty Knobs Podcast
12:10 Hollywood's Role in RAD
15:17 Behind the Scenes of RAD
18:07 Life on Set and Stunt Work
21:12 Reflections on BMX History
24:04 Current Endeavors and Family Life

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Sam Bernard, Rad, BMX, filmmaking, Hal Needham, cult classic, movie history, Hollywood, BMX culture, family influence

Summary

In this engaging conversation, Sam Bernard shares his journey from his early life in New York City to becoming a filmmaker in Hollywood. He discusses the influence of his family, particularly his father, a Broadway actor, and the pivotal moments that shaped his career. The conversation delves into the making of the cult classic film 'Rad,' the challenges faced during its production, and the unexpected legacy it has created over the years. Sam reflects on the film's impact on fans and its status as a beloved classic in BMX culture.

Tony and screenwriter Sam Bernard sit down for a neighborly, story-packed conversation about Sam’s life, his Hollywood upbringing, and the origin and legacy of Rad. Sam shares how he was born in New York City to a Broadway/film actor father and a politically active mother, then moved to Los Angeles when his dad’s film career took off. That family history dropped him right into the middle of serious acting circles—Lee Strasberg, Stella Adler, Marlon Brando—and eventually into work with Norman Lear and later classic directors like Miloš Forman and Hal Needham.

Sam tells a series of vivid Hollywood stories: growing up around legendary actors, working as Norman Lear’s driver and production assistant on shows like Good Times, being casually handed Jimmy Walker’s baby blue Mercedes 450SL for a date, and running errands for Orson Welles. From there, the conversation pivots into how Sam discovered BMX at a small Santa Monica park, saw kids flying off ramps, and realized there was a movie hiding in this new bike culture. That spark became Rad: originally pitched through Hal Needham as “Rocky on a bike,” about a small-town paperboy who becomes a world champion.

They talk through the rapid writing of the first draft (nine days), the early working title Balls Out, getting the film financed for around $3 million, and shooting in Calgary under Hal’s fun, stunt-driven style, with John Schwartzman filming the iconic opening sequence. Sam recalls the heartbreak of Rad tanking in theaters despite strong test screenings—but also its resurrection as a cult classic on home video, as fans rented and re-rented VHS copies and later cherished bootlegs. The two dive into the long, messy tangle of rights and finances that kept Rad buried for years, the misunderstandings around Talia Shire’s role in that, and how the film’s cult following has only grown, now with parents introducing it to their kids. They end by reflecting on Rad’s enduring emotional power, the community around it, and plans to reconnect around upcoming 40th-anniversary events.

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BMX legend Eddie Fiola – the King of the Skateparks and the stunt double behind Cru Jones in RAD – sits down with me to talk about building Stingrays to look like dirt bikes, chasing down Bob Osborn for that first magazine shot, landing in RAD as Cru’s stunt double, and how all of that led to a long career crashing bikes for Hollywood.
In this episode of the RAD The Movie Podcast, Eddie and I go way back to:
• Growing up on Schwinn Stingrays, turning them into “mini motorcycles,” and dreaming of being Evel Knievel
• Discovering BMX magazines at the local bike shop and getting hooked on freestyle over racing
• The legendary run home-and-back to Lakewood Skatepark to convince Bob Osborne to shoot him – and how that turned into his first full-page color in BMX Action
• Touring, contests, and how being “the guy on top” made Hollywood start calling
• How Hal Needham and Sam Bernard found him through the mags and chose him as Cru’s stunt double for RAD
• Why Bill Allen had to dye his hair to look like Eddie (and not the other way around)
• Six wild weeks in Calgary filming Helltrack, dealing with crazy weather, and living by the daily call sheet
• How the fade of 80s BMX and the rise of mountain bikes pushed him into stunt work
• Working on Pacific Blue, Spider-Man 2 & 3, Contraband, and what it’s really like to be “the bike guy” on set
• The surreal day on The Hangover when Ed Helms sprinted over to geek out about RAD tricks – and tried to help get the movie released properly
• Why today’s riders stand on the shoulders (and wrecked joints) of the pioneers, and how learning to crash became a superpower in the stunt world
• Getting older in a young person’s sport, thinking about pension vs. pavement, and why Eddie still feels like he’s at the kids’ table – on a kid’s bike
If you love RAD, 80s BMX, stunt work, or just good stories from someone who was there when it all blew up, you’re going to love this one.
🔔 Subscribe for more conversations with the riders, cast, crew, and notable fans of RAD.

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Who else would I want to interview for this inaugural podcast interview than Cru Jones himself, Bill Allen, the star of the BMX Movie Rad. I sit down for a nice chat with a friend about how he was cast for Rad, the cult following it has and the impact the film has had on BMX culture and culture in general.

keywords
#BMX, #Rad, #BillAllen, Tony, #80smovies, #cultclassic, film industry, nostalgia, BMX culture, acting
takeaways
'Rad' has a significant impact on BMX culture.
Casting can often be a matter of timing and luck.
The film 'Rad' has developed a cult following over the years.
Many fans have seen 'Rad' hundreds of times.
The movie's release was poorly timed for its target audience.
'Rad' is part of the fabric of 80s culture.
The film has inspired a new generation of BMX riders.
Fan loyalty for 'Rad' is evident in annual screenings.
The bicycle industry has largely ignored the film's impact.
Bill Allen continues to work on new projects related to BMX.
summary
In this engaging conversation, Bill Allen reflects on his experiences during the making of the cult classic 'Rad', its impact on BMX culture, and the enduring loyalty of its fans. He discusses the casting process, the film's legacy in the 80s, and the surprising lack of recognition from the bicycle industry. Bill also shares insights into his current projects and the notable fans of 'Rad', while reflecting on his journey as an actor and producer.
titles
The Legacy of 'Rad': A BMX Phenomenon
Behind the Scenes of 'Rad' with Bill Allen
Sound Bites
"Many fans have seen 'Rad' hundreds of times."
"'Rad' is part of the fabric of 80s culture."
"Reflections on acting and personal growth."
Chapters
00:00
Introduction and Initial Thoughts on 'Rad'
05:58
The Impact of 'Rad' on BMX Culture
11:57
The Marketing and Reception of 'Rad'
17:51
Camaraderie and Sportsmanship in 'Rad'
24:25
The Legacy of Rad and Its Cultural Significance
30:33
Lessons Learned from Acting and Filmmaking
37:29