FORGOTTEN FILM: Bill Forsyth's THAT SINKING FEELING (1980)

In the early 80’s, Bill Forsyth directed some of the funniest comedies of all time.

He directed both GREGORY’S GIRL and LOCAL HERO, both charming Scottish comedies that are still talked about today.

There was another film in that mix, THAT SINKING FEELING, featuring some of the same cast members as GREGORY’S GIRL. Released in 1980 in the UK, it wasn’t released in the US until 1984, after the success of the other films.

THAT SINKING FEELING is set in Glasgow Scotland, although as the opening credits state, it isn’t to be confused with the Glasgow we all know.

The film follows a group of unemployed friends who spend their days thinking about food, attempting suicide by corn flakes, and finally, coming up with an idea to break out of this existence. They will rob a local steel sink factory.


The cast is made up of Scottish actors from the Glasgow Youth Theatre. Two of them, Robert Buchanan and John Gordon Sinclair, would go on to larger roles in GREGORY’S GIRL, with Sinclair playing Gregory. Several of the other cast members had small roles in that film.

Like GREGORY and LOCAL HERO, this is a film that is as much about the locations as it is the humor. It always seems to be raining in Glasgow, which adds to the mood. And there are some hysterical throwaway moments (a character bumming a cigarette off an 8 year old).

As I wrote in my What Ever Happened To story on Bill Forsyth, Forsyth will always be one of my favorite filmmaker for his Scottish films. His later US films have their fans (BREAKING IN, HOUSEKEEPING) but for me, it was like a great country musician going pop. I was more interested in seeing his portrayal of Scottish life and characters, which we rarely see, than another American story. He has essentially retired. His last film, 1999’s GREGORY’S GIRL sequel GREGORY’S TWO GIRLS, has never even been released in the US.

THAT SINKING FEELING was released in the US on VHS and laserdisc, but it hasn’t even been released on DVD in the UK. (EDIT: It was released on DVD in the UK on 9-14-09) It is owned in the US by MGM and has been shown recently on the THIS TV network.


Here is a recent interview with Robert Buchanan about the film.

FORGOTTEN FILM: ARENA (1991)

ARENA is sort of ROCKY meets the cantina sequence in STAR WARS.

Set in outer space, Steve Armstrong (Paul Satterfield, a soap opera actor) becomes a fighter in the Arena. There, he battles creatures and other people in rubber suits. Jack Carter was the announcer in these game.

I remember seeing part of the film while standing in a Radio Shack in the early 1990’s and thinking “What the heck is this?” Come to think of it, it is the perfect film to watch while standing in a Radio Shack.

Released in 1991 (after being filmed in 1989), the big selling point of the film was probably the fanboy favorite female cast. Claudia Christian (then best known for THE HIDDEN but she would go on to star on BABYLON 5) played the fight promoter and the equally beautiful Shari Shattuck was the love interest of the lead. The two would team up again in the comedy MAD ABOUT YOU the next year.

The FX in the film really aren’t terrible. They would be a lot better if the photography wasn’t so dark. This could just be the transfer that has been airing on TV.

Director Peter Manoogian worked regularly in various sci-fi films in the 80s. He was second unit director on METALSTORM and would later direct DEMONIC TOYS. The writers of the film would go on to produce the video game THE SIMS, which probably did a bit better than this film did.

ARENA was executive produced by Charles Band of the schlocky TRANCERS and PUPPET MASTERS films and produced by Irwin Yablans, producer of the HALLOWEEN films. An interesting team to co-produce.

A TWE / EMPIRE PICTURES release, that was released to VHS by Columbia Tristar, the rights are today with MGM. The film still turns up on cable.

WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO: PAM DAWBER

Pam Dawber was a very popular TV actress for most of the 1980’s. Yet, she hasn’t appeared in anything in a decade. What ever happened to her?

Growing up in Detroit, Pam eventually headed to New York where she became a model. This led to commercial work and finally, to her first feature film Robert Altman’s THE WEDDING. Soon after the release of the film, she was signed by ABC to star in a new sitcom.



MORK AND MINDY

Alongside a little known comic named Robin Williams, the show about an alien who moves in with a girl was a huge hit. The show ran from 1978 to 1982.

While the show was on the air, and after its cancellation, Pam would star in many TV movies. There was 1980’s THE GIRL, THE GOLD WATCH & EVERYTHING with Robert Hays, 1982’s REMEMBRANCE OF LOVE with Kirk Douglas, 1985’s THIS WIFE FOR HIRE with Robert Klein and WILD HORSES with Kenny Rogers.



In 1986, she starred on another popular sitcom, MY SISTER SAM. Sadly, the series is best known for the fact that her co-star Rebecca Schaeffer was later killed by an obsessed fan. The show went off the air in 1988.

After SAM, Pam would still make TV movies, and appeared as John Ritter’s wife in the 1992 film STAY TUNED. She even was a voice in several animated series. Her final acting work was in 1999 in the feature film I’LL REMEMBER APRIL and the TV film DON’T LOOK BEHIND YOU.


So, What Ever Happened To Her?

In 1987, Pam married actor Mark Harmon. They had two children and are, to this day, still married.

So, her retirement was essentially to become a mom.



Here is an interview she gave in 2008 where she talks about her life and decision to stay with her kids.

She acts as a spokesperson for Big Brothers and Big Sisters and has done infomercials for the EyeQ reading service.

As she states in the interview, there is always a chance for her to return to acting when her kids get older.

WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO: JAN SMITHERS

Like Gary Sandy (What Ever Happened To story here), Jan Smithers is an actress known for essentially one role, that of Bailey Quarters on WKRP IN CINCINNATI.

She was first discovered almost by accident. In 1966, a Newsweek reporter was doing a story about the “typical American teenager”. Jan was interviewed. They took photographs of her for the story.


One of those turned up on the cover of the March 21, 1966 issue of the magazine.

Casting directors then began hiring her for commercials and in TV series (LOVE STORY, STARSKY AND HUTCH) as well as films. She played the lead in the acclaimed Appalachian drama WHERE THE LILIES BLOOM.


In 1978, WKRP went on the air. As Bailey, she was the shy member of the station’s team. The show had a sort of Betty or Veronica feel, with Jan playing the Betty to Loni Anderson’s Veronica. I always liked Jan more than Loni.

After the show went off the air in 1982, she would pop up on plenty of other TV shows in guest spots. She appeared in episodes of THE FALL GUY, LEGMEN, FINDER OF LOST LOVES, a few LOVE BOATS, MIKE HAMMER, COVER UP, MURDER SHE WROTE and HOTEL.

There was a little seen independent film in 1987 called MR. NICE GUY that doesn’t seemed to have much, or any release. But, that was it.


SO, WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO HER?

In the late 80’s, Jan Smithers married the star of HOTEL, James Brolin. The two had a daughter.

So, she left her acting career for a family life.

They were divorced in 1995, and Brolin would later marry Barbra Streisand. Jan has gone on the record to claim that Barbara had NOTHING to do with their breaking up as they married five years after the two broke up.

After living in Canada for a while, Jan has returned to Southern California. In 2007, she was involved in a car accident there. While tabloids have claimed all sorts of wild rumors about this accident, according to Jan herself, they are all untrue. Her car broke down and she was hit by a pickup while trying to get help.

There is talk of her returning to acting.

WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO: GARY SANDY

Gary Sandy is an actor who may just be known for one role. It was a good enough role that, even today, he is still well remembered.

Gary studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts before beginning work on the soap opera AS THE WORLD TURNS. Throughout the 1970’s, he worked in theatre as well as assorted small roles in films (SOME OF MY BEST FRIENDS ARE, HAIL, THE LAST OF THE COWBOYS) along with TV shows (MEDICAL CENTER, STARSKY AND HUTCH, CHiPS).


In 1978 he would have his breakthrough role, that of Andy Travis, the program director at WKRP IN CINCINNATI. Surrounded by eccentric characters, Andy was sort of the voice of reason at the station. WKRP was, to me, one of the decades most memorable sitcoms. But, it only ran for four seasons.

After WKRP went off the air, Gary appeared in a film every once in a while. There were horror films such as TROLL and MOMMY’S DAY as well as TV appearances on MURDER SHE WROTE, DIAGNOSIS MURDER, SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH and back to soap operas on YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS. He even had a small role as a lawyer in Michael Mann’s THE INSIDER.

But there was nothing at the level of WKRP.

So, What Ever Happened To Him?

Gary continues to work on his first love, the theatre. He routinely appears in regional theatre and in traveling companies of various shows. He played Billy Flynn in the play CHICAGO, as well as Sheriff Ed Earl Dodd in THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS opposite Ann-Margret. He has played Harold Hill in THE MUSIC MAN in seven different productions.

A few years ago, I was walking in EPCOT CENTER at WALT DISNEY WORLD. I happened to look up and see this very familiar looking guy walk past me. I'm pretty sure it was Gary Sandy!!

He was headed to one of the restaurants in the World Showcase. This was over twenty years after WKRP went off the air, and he still looked the same.

PATRICK SWAYZE (1952-2009)

Patrick Swayze has passed away.

While most tributes are going to lead with GHOST or DIRTY DANCING, at least for guys who grew up in the 1980's, those aren't the films for which he will be remembered.

He was Darrell, the older brother in THE OUTSIDERS. That is where many first noticed him.

He was again a father figure of sorts in RED DAWN, leading the Wolverines fighing off the Russians.

I know that I spent hours watching every episode of NORTH AND SOUTH, the Civil War miniseries. As Orry Main, that will be the romance that I remember him most for.

Ok, ok. I might have seen DIRTY DANCING and GHOST, but everyone did! And, sure, I caught part of DIRTY DANCING on cable recently and kind of liked it. I mean, "Nobody puts baby in a corner" is a great line.

ROADHOUSE is something of a cult classic these days, and POINT BREAK was popular as well. He was in DONNIE DARKO, and a great little indie called 11:14 that more people should see.

And let's not forget this.


The clip isn't on YouTube, but he was part of one of the funniest SNL sketches. My sister said on the phone tonight that one of her friends posted on Facebook that the two are probably able to do the sketch together again. Maybe they are performing it for John Belushi.

Patrick Swayze made a lot of great movies. I can't tell you how many times I saw THE OUTSIDERS and RED DAWN over the years.

He will be missed.

Disney Opens The Archives

The New York Times has a story today about an exhibition in Anaheim of Disney memorabilia.

LOVE TO LOVE YOU BRADYS (2009) By Ted Nichelsen and Susan Olsen

For a show that only aired for five years, THE BRADY BUNCH is one of the most chronicled TV series of all time. Every couple years, there seems to be a new book, or documentary, about what really went on behind the scenes.

The latest is LOVE TO LOVE YOU BRADYS (ECW PRESS). Susan Olsen (Cindy) is one of the writers of the book, along with Ted Nichelson and Lisa Sutton. But, this is not a Cindy Brady tell all. Instead, it focuses on one of the lesser known, and darker periods of the Brady legacy.

THE BRADY BUNCH VARIETY HOUR.

After THE BRADY BUNCH went off the air in 1974, several of the cast members in 1976 reunited for an appearance on THE DONNY AND MARIE SHOW. This turned out to be so popular that executives at ABC (including Michael Eisner) decided “Hey, let’s bring them back on the air”.

The producers of THE DONNY AND MARIE SHOW were the legendary Sid and Marty Krofft. Best known today for such iconic programs as H.R. PUFNSTUFF, SIGMUND AND THE SEA MONSTERS and LIDSVILLE, the duo had worked with the Bradys before, producing their Hollywood Bowl concerts. They decided to develop the show for the Bradys. That is even though they hadn’t asked Brady Bunch producer Sherwood Schwartz or its production company Paramount for permission. Each side thought the other had signed off on it, so neither tried to dispute it.

All the cast was reassembled except for one holdout, Eve Plumb. Eve had begun to create a serious acting career for herself with the highly rated TV movie DAWN PORTRAIT OF A TEENAGE RUNAWAY. It has long been thought that Eve didn’t want to be a part of this new series. In fact, she was interested, but she would only be able to be a part of five of the thirteen episodes. When ABC said they needed her for the entire run or not at all, she had to decline. The show then cast “Fake Jan”, Geri Reischl.

The rest is history.



Even if you’ve never seen an episode of the series, you probably know it is considered one of the worst series of all time. It even made it to parody form, with the spin off episode of THE SIMPSONS “The Simpson Family Smile Time Variety Hour”.

LOVE TO LOVE YOU BRADYS is an exhaustive, definitive look at the series. Literally everything you wanted to know about the show is here. From details of the production, costumes, set design, writers (including Bruce Villanch), dancers, bios of all the guest stars, it is all here.

Maureen McCormick has discussed her drug use in her recent memoir HERE’S THE STORY. This book recounts the effect it had on the rest of the cast. They were mostly aware of what was going on. It led to one episode, where she didn't show up for a taping. Since she had already recorded her vocals for a song, Susan had to lip sync to her voice and her lines were divided among the rest of the cast.

There are a lot of great stories about the series. From Tony Randall talking to the producers for an hour about guesting on the show while wearing only bikini underwear, to Ann B. Davis not even speaking offscreen to her on screen love interest Rip Taylor. Robert Reed, who always fought with the producers of THE BRADY BUNCH over how undignified some of the sitcoms moments were, didn't object to dressing as the Easter Bunny or Carmen Miranda for the VARIETY SHOW. Chevy Chase and Paul Shaffer also make appearances.

The oversized 340 page book is filled with full color photos from the series. It is a beautifully designed book. It is as much a coffee table book to look through as it is a history of the series.

Writer Ted Nichelson is the webmaster of the “Complete Guide to the Brady Bunch Hour”. He has interviewed most people involved with the series. Throughout the story, Susan Olsen contributes her thoughts on various aspects of production with essays of her own.

LOVE TO LOVE YOU BRADYS is another must buy book for the serious Brady Fan. The one problem with the book, it makes you want to see the show. Sadly, only one DVD of two episodes is available.

LOVE TO LOVE YOU BRADYS is available now from ECW Press.

Four Years of The Moviezzz Blog

On September 2, 2005, The Moviezzz Blog was born.

Four years, 2,300+ posts, over 750,000 unique visitors and we are still here.

I wanted to thank everyone for visiting, for all the comments and emails.

While we've seen many newspapers fold, the only mainstream movie magazine, PREMIERE, close down, blogs continue on. I will be staying with it, trying to keep up with my daily posting. I have more Reviews, What Ever Happened To, and Forgotten Film and TV stories in the works.

So, thanks for reading!

Any suggestions or comments, let me know.

TRAVEL TV: EQUITREKKING Wins An Emmy

A couple weeks ago, I reviewed the PBS travel by horseback series EQUITREKKING.

In the review, I wrote that the photography in the series was some of the best of all the travel shows.

Now, you don't have to take my word for it.

Over the weekend, EQUITREKKING won the Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Single Camera Photography. Pictured above are Host Darley Newman, Director of Photography Greg Barna, and Executive Producer Chip Ward with the Emmy.

Congratulations to all!

EQUITREKKING airs on PBS channels as well as the Create Digital Channel. For more information visit their website.