The Cutlass Connection: '76 Cutlass Sold by Volo Auto Museum to Kate Hudson Plays Key Role in Hudson's Directorial Debut

VOLO, Ill. – The story line revolves around a mom whose daughter wants to buy an old, expensive guitar.

Played by Virginia Madsen, the mom initially tells the daughter, who is played by Dakota Fanning, that she has lost her mind.

"No way can we afford this," is what she tells the girl, said Shawn Mimbs, production assistant for the short film "Cutlass." The film, scheduled to premiere in Los Angeles in October 2007, is the directorial debut of actress Kate Hudson, who bought the film's namesake car from the Volo Auto Museum.

So where does the Cutlass come in to the tale? The mom played by Madsen starts recalling a youthful yearning of her own, and how her father helped her claim the object of her desire – a late 1970s Oldsmobile Cutlass.

Rounding out the cast are Kurt Russell, Chevy Chase, Sarah Roemer and Kristen Stewart.

The film is part of Glamour magazine's Reel Moments series. Three short films were shot this year based on true stories submitted by readers. Past directors in the series have included Jennifer Aniston and Bryce Dallas Howard, daughter of Ron Howard.

Reel Moments, part of Film Aid International, offers actresses a chance to get behind the camera, Mimbs said. The actresses must apply for the honor.

Nathan Swisher, production supervisor for the series, said "Cutlass" likely will end up being about 12 minutes long and will be submitted to various film festivals such as Sundance.

Hudson purchased the 1976 Cutlass used in the film from the Volo Auto Museum July 11 and shot the film July 25-27.

"I think that film will probably be the best of the three we've done this summer," Swisher said. "It's really cool."

The two others are "The Trap," directed by Rita Wilson, and "Welcome," directed by Kirsten Dunst.

And how well did the former Volo Auto Museum vehicle perform in its film debut?

"It was beautiful," Swisher said of the firethorn red car. "It was really great."

The Volo Auto Museum is located at 27582 W. Volo Village Road in Volo, Ill. The museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and features roughly 300 vintage, muscle and Hollywood cars. Nearly all of the cars on display are also for sale.

For other information, visit volocars.com or call (815) 385-3644.