Well hello again and welcome back to
Day 2 of Linda Blair Week. This time around we move back to the time
era of roller rinks and disco music. For those that do not care for
either can bog off and move on. We observe a film that held
auditions of over 300 skaters to work on the film but ultimately only
50 were cast. In addition to this movie, roller skating champion Jim
Bray was hired as a stunt skater only to become the leading man next
to Linda Blair. This is Roller Boogie.
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| Okay, she looks like she is having fun. |
Wealthy socialites Lillian (Beverly
Garland of D.O.A., Swamp Diamonds, Gunslinger, It Conquered the
World, Not of This Earth, Decoy and The Alligator People) and
Roger Barkley (Roger Perry of Arrest and Trial, Count Yorga,
Vampire, The Thing with Two Heads, Barnaby Jones, The Facts of Life,
Falcon Crest and Dirty Love) have overall ignored their
daughter aside from she goes to Juilliard as a flautist (One that
plays the flute) and must succeed to the highest plateau.
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| Definitely grooving. |
Unfortunately, daughter
Terry (Linda Blair of Sweet Hostage, Stranger in Our House,
Wild Horse Hank, Ruckus, Hell Night, Chained Heat, Savage Streets,
Chicken Soup for the Soul, S Club 7 in L.A., and Monster Makers)
has aspirations to have fun versus study, study and more study as she
and her snooty friend Lana (Kimberly
Beck of Massacre at Central High, Eight Is Enough, Zuma Beach, and
Friday the 13th
The Final Chapter)
hit the broadwalk via Venice Beach. Terry notices Bobby James (Jim
Bray of Roller Boogie)
out with another girl but clearly our boy took in Terry with a long
lasting glance. The two start developing a relationship in spite of
their social standings being so different they have found a mutual
love of disco and roller skating. Terry offers Bobby money so she
can complete and win the Roller Disco contest at the skating place
Jammers.
Like
Hell Night, it wouldn't be 70s to 80s without a Van Patten (It
was a Hollywood rule in the day)
as Jimmy Van Patten (Lunch
Wagon, Young Warriors, For Love and Honor, The Flunky Saw IV, Saw VI
and Saw 3D: The Final Chapter)
as Hoppy, Bobby's buddy from Venice Beach. I am still reeling from
street name/nickname Hoppy.
I know, I know. Where's the twist in all of this? Pipe down and I
will tell you. It looks as though Jammers is to be bought out by
some shady mobster cats that will most likely tear down Jammers and
make it a night club or some other means to launder ill-gotten gains.
Terry and Bobby have to put the kibosh on this somehow with the aid
of their friends and get that incriminating evidence to the cops
before they're all wearing cement overshoes.
This film has it all. A vibrant cast, a great soundtrack and a kind
of wholesome story about life is never what you think it will be.
Now some will view this a mushy throwback but I like think of it as a
pleasant reminder that these stories hold weight. From director Mark
L. Lester of such cheese like: Gold of the Amazon Women, Class
of 1984 also brought us Firestarter, Commando and
Class of 1999 so it takes all kind to move a picture. Plus
Earth, Wind and Fire is on the soundtrack. I'd watch a splatter fest
flick if you can guarantee me Earth, Wind and Fire. Granted I could
have done with less men in terry cloth shorts but I review a lot of
70s to 80s horror flicks and that is a constant.
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| John Holmes, is that you? |
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