The Gong Show Movie

A much underrated (and sadly, widely unavailable) film about an egomaniacal talent show host starring the co-writer and director of the film who also just happened to be the host of the real Gong Show. Although at times self-indulgent (the film ends with most of the Gong Show regulars trying to woo Barris out of the desert), the film is on the whole truly bizarre and should appeal to fans of "out" cinema of the 60's and early 70's. No surprise, then, that the film was co-written by underground legend Robert Downey Sr. whose presence is strongly felt; fans of his work should not be taken aback by Barris's role in the spotlight as Downey clearly had some significant input here. Don't miss it if opportunity arises, and what with Spike Jonze working on a Barris related project, hopefully opportunity will be more available soon.

Like a trip back in time, late 70s hair, clothes, cars, shops, and wacky, sleazy humour. The only real plot concerns the host of an amateur talent show trying to either give up or come to terms with his job. He is constantly buttonholed by wannabe contestants who audition for him in hospitals, cafes, elevators and anywhere. We also see numerous a TS from the show, with much crass humour. Barris has a certain similarity to the darker persona of Jerry Lewis. At first he seems kind of non-descript and dull, but you are that this is his way of contrasting with all the zaniness around him. For a film almost universally despised, it was often good fun to watch.

The Gong Show Movie, is about The Gong Show's creator Chuck Barris (who also co-wrote and directed this film) who after several auditions for the show and taping it is getting exhausted. For those who have never seen The Gong Show, it was a game show hosted by Chuck Barris, where they would get people to perform on stage showcasing a talent of theirs and they are judged my several celebrity judges and if they are not liked then a huge gong would be banged. Several of the people on the show had some very unusual and unique talents which would make the television show funny. In the movie Chuck, is getting fed up with the show and trying to keep the ratings for the show up as well as making sure the show isn't offensive and doesn't offend the audience. Everywhere he goes people seem to recognize Chuck and show him their own talents which they hope can be showcased on the television show and eventually Chuck as a breakdown and it is up to the staff and crew of The Gong Show to bring him back. I have never actually seen an episode of The Gong Show, but I have read about it and seen clips of it and it looks like it was a fun show. The show was a hit for several years but when this movie came out to theaters it did very poorly and it currently isn't available on video or DVD. The film isn't very well made and at times it looks like a made for TV movie. The acting also isn't that great and the film tries to make us laugh with several different jokes and sketches but the jokes and sketches just did not work and they did not work and they did not make me laugh. There also really isn't much of a story to this film either other than showing different people auditioning for the show and Chuck's run ins with bizarre fans of the show and spending time with his girlfriend Red. Despite these flaws there was still something I liked about this movie. It was entertaining enough and in some ways the film was so flawed that it almost gave it a campy charm making it fun to watch. The film is entertaining and there are some catchy musical numbers so I'm recommending it for those who will appreciate this film more for it's camp value then anything else because the sheer fact that this film doesn't work on a lot of levels coincidentally does make it work as a B film.

I used to hurry home from school every afternoon in time for The Gong Show, which even my mother would watch instead of whatever soap opera was airing on the other channel. This erratic big screen version of the show captures its anarchic appeal, and whilst the 'story' is less than interesting, the uncensored material from the show itself is priceless. There's also one truly brilliant moment in the framing sequences: toward the end of the film, the cast pursue a harried Chuck to the Sahara Desert and serenade him with a marvelous song called Don't Get Up For Me--one of several songs penned by Barris for the film. It's well past time for the original series to be resurrected on DVD, and it's something of a surprise that this spin-off has been unavailable on home video all these years. A nostalgic treat for those in the 35-55 demographic, The Gong Show Movie may not be high art, but it will certainly leave you laughing.

Having searched for this movie high and low, I actually found it when I least expected, playing on the Sundance Channel very early in the morning one day. Why I searched endlessly for a small vanity project that Chuck Barris that was made during the last waning years of the TV show, I haven't a clue. The film is simply put horrible. The scripted part that deals with a week that is. Of course the highlight of the film is seeing the real performers that were "too hot for TV" or rejected for some reason or other. That part is still horrid, but campy bad which was enjoyable in it's own way. Now that I saw what I sought after for so long will I watch it again in my lifetime? Resoundingly NO!! Do yourself a favor and just watch the MUCH MUCH better "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind" or find old copies of the actual show. The girl act where there just lick popsicles provocatively was fun, but having to endure seeing Jay P. Morgon flash the audience has in all likelihood made me sterile. In hindsight, I'm so very happy that this was massive flop, for if it was a massive hit, there could have been a "The $1.98 Beauty Show Movie" and THAT my friends would surely have brought upon the Apocalypse.

My Grade: D