‘Back to the Future’ documentary ‘Lost to the Future’ searches for Marty’s missing guitar
If you’ve seen “Back to the Future,” you know the cherry red Gibson ES-345 guitar on which Michael J. Fox played “Johnny B. Goode” in the movie’s pivotal Enchantment Under the Sea Dance scene—but did you know it’s been “lost to the future” for 40 years? Well, it seems the search is on.
It’s not uncommon for costumes and props to go missing after movies wrap production—especially when it’s impossible to know if they’ll be successful enough to warrant a sequel (or, in this case, two). Nevertheless, when making “Back to the Future Part II” in 1989, filmmakers discovered the guitar was nowhere to be found. Now, Gibson, along with the movie’s cast and creators have teamed up to find Marty’s missing guitar… and they need our help.
“Years ago, I was astonished to learn this beloved cinematic artifact had apparently disappeared into the space-time continuum,” says Bob Gale, the movie’s co-creator, screenwriter, and producer. “Since we don’t have a functioning time machine, this effort is probably our best chance to solve a decades-long mystery.”
“Lost to the Future”
According to Mark Agnesi, Gibson’s director of brand experience, the search for Marty’s iconic guitar began 16 years ago.
“I started searching for this guitar back in 2009 on my first day on the job at Norman’s Rare Guitars [in Los Angeles],” Agnesi said. “After 16 years of searching, I’m so excited to get the entire guitar community together to help find the guitar that made me, and so many other guitarists of my generation, want to learn to play.”
As part of the worldwide hunt for the missing Gibson ES-345, Gibson Films is producing “Lost to the Future,” a documentary featuring interviews with “Back to the Future” cast members, including Michael J. Fox (Marty McFly), Lea Thompson (Lorraine McFly), Christopher Lloyd (Doc Brown), and Harry Waters Jr. (Marvin Berry), plus the movie’s co-creator, Bob Gale, and Huey Lewis who wrote and performed the movie’s theme song, “The Power of Love.”
Along with Agnesi, the documentary’s director, Doc Crotzer (“Roadhouse,” “Glee”), will take viewers through the global hunt for the legendary instrument from film prop warehouses to vintage guitar shops and auction houses.
“Lost to the Future” will also celebrate the music and culture of 1985 through archival photos, stories, film clips, and, of course, the era’s hit songs.
How Can You Help?
Fans can submit tips about the whereabouts of Marty’s missing Cherry Red Gibson ES-345 guitar via the “Lost to the Future” website or by calling or texting 1-855-345-1955.
Watch the movie cast’s “call to action” video here:
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