The reel in The French Connection (1971)

ORCA Online Forum - Feel free to talk or ask about ALL kinds of old tackle here, with an emphasis on old reels!
Post Reply
User avatar
Mike N
Star Board Poster
Posts: 3763
Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 1:50 pm
Location: WV

The reel in The French Connection (1971)

Post by Mike N »

I was watching the iconic 1971 movie starring Gene Hackman as NY Detective “Popeye” Doyle and all of a sudden the bad guy played by Fernando Rey is casting a spinning reel into the ocean off his French balcony. This is best photo I could capture from my tv:
Mike N.
ORCA Founder, 1990
jr.evansii
Frequent Board Poster
Posts: 35
Joined: Sun Jan 05, 2020 8:37 pm

Re: The reel in The French Connection (1971)

Post by jr.evansii »

Looks Mitchell-ish. Shameless plug for a French reel?

J.
User avatar
Paul M
Ultra Board Poster
Posts: 2200
Joined: Fri Feb 03, 2006 9:10 pm
Location: Toronto, Canada
Contact:

Re: The reel in The French Connection (1971)

Post by Paul M »

Mitchell with forked foot mounted on Conolon rod???
Paul Manuel

Member since 2006
flysupplies
Advanced Board Poster
Posts: 109
Joined: Thu May 12, 2005 9:18 am

Re: The reel in The French Connection (1971)

Post by flysupplies »

My 1st impression was Mitchell. 508 maybe?
User avatar
Midway Tommy D
Star Board Poster
Posts: 3135
Joined: Sun Jan 20, 2013 11:23 pm
Location: Eastern NE

Re: The reel in The French Connection (1971)

Post by Midway Tommy D »

It's a Mitchell but not a 500 series. If it was a it would be a 510 because of the torpedo knob, but the 500 series' leg comes out of the rear center of the body & angles back quite a bit before it goes straight up quickly to the rod split. The reel in the movie's leg comes up & forward before it bends up to the foot. Plus that rod isn't anything that was built stock for a 500 series. The fore & aft grips are way too long. I'm thinking it's either a 306, 406 or 410.
Love those Open Face Spinning Reels! (Especially ABU & ABU/Zebco)

Tom DeLong, NE
ORCA Member - 2027
flysupplies
Advanced Board Poster
Posts: 109
Joined: Thu May 12, 2005 9:18 am

Re: The reel in The French Connection (1971)

Post by flysupplies »

You're correct. Not 500 series. Angle is wrong. I should have looked at the one sitting right here. Just found it local. complete with the rod that matches a forked foot. The way Fernando is holding the rod it's lucky he didn't throw it in the water.
jr.evansii
Frequent Board Poster
Posts: 35
Joined: Sun Jan 05, 2020 8:37 pm

Re: The reel in The French Connection (1971)

Post by jr.evansii »

I'm thinking 410. If it were a 306/406, I would expect the rotor to be almost the width of his right hand.

J.
Post Reply