'MOONFIRE' Movie, co-starring; Sonny Liston as The Farmer A truck driver. Filmed in early-1970 Location; Tuscon, Arizona Reviewed; July 1970 Re-released; 1973 Production Company; Hollywood-Continental Films There are some scenes in this movie, where Sonny Liston looks freakish, with his extremely long arms and massive hands. His upper-body is toned, but he does not appear to be that massive. He does look thin-waisted, but does appear to have a belly. His legs look thin. As for those stories of Heroin use. You can see his arms clearly, their clean.
Did you get in touch with Mike Parkhurst? I hope so. The guy has got some great stories. ps- re: Liston's size. Don't forget that his costar Charles Napier is a big man himself, as were all the actors they used in the biker roles. That may be the reason Sonny doesn't appear so large.
Super Surf-Bat,, I tried,,,,,,,,,,,also searched up and down on Hollywood-International Films, Inc. Wanted to see if Sonny was a % owner. Looks like the film was shot between mid-January and late-March 1970. The blue Mack diesel-truck in the movie, was on the cover of July 1970 OverDrive magazine. Also, some location scenses were shot in October/November 1969. Sonny did look pretty cool in the Ray-Ban sunglasses, and the cowboy hat. Sonny's biceps looked a little thinner.
Sonny Listons only source of income in 1970,, Was from his acting (performance) in 'MoonFire' and $13,000 from the June 1970 Chuck Wepner fight. The $13,000 from the Wepner fight was lost on a bet he placed with his friend Lem Banker, going with Mac Foster over Jerry Quarry. He had to take the fight with Chuck Wepner, to pay off the earlier bet. Some conflicting information on the film, whether he was paid, or if he partially bank-rolled the film, and took a % of the gross/net profits. And $10,000 in October for his appearance in 'Love, American Style'
JT, Though he died presumably December 30, 1970. His wife Geraldine found him, after she returned from her St. Louis vacation. Sonny and his wife had plane reservations for January 1, 1971. To fly from Las Vegas to Los Angeles, then from Los Angeles to Tokyo, Japan. Sonny Liston was scheduled to Referee the January 3, 1971 WBC Junior Lightweight Title fight between, Yushiaka Numata vs. Rene Barrientos in Shizuka, Japan It was an all-expense paid trip, plus Referee Fee.
