The Van (1977)

Director:

Sam Grossman

Writers:

Robert J. Rosenthal (written by) &
Celia Susan Cotelo (written by)

Release Date:

7 April 1977 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Music

Tagline:

Bobby couldn't make it... till he went Fun-Truckin'!

Plot:

Bobby blows all his college savings on a van and tries to get the girl of his dreams. It's a wild time with Bobby and his friends.

Plot Keywords:

Van | 1970s | Employee | Fat Girl | Cleavage

Cast

Stuart Goetz	...	Bobby
Deborah White	...	Tina
Harry Morgan Moses	...	Jack (as Harry Moses)
Marcie Barkin	...	Sue
Bill Adler	...	Steve
Steve Oliver	...	Dugan Hicks (as Stephen Oliver)
Connie Hoffman	...	Sally (as Connie Lisa Marie)
Danny DeVito	...	Andy
Jim Kester	...	Tom
Michael Gitomer	...	Jim
Chuck Hastings	...	Fat Policeman
Steven Stinebaugh	...	Thin Policeman
Howard Dayton	...	Friendly
David Ellenstein	...	Basketball Player
Donald Elson	...	Mr. Hump
Jean Howell	...	Nora Hampton
Richard Karie	...	Jaguar Owner
Walter Maslow	...	Henry Hampton
Lillian McBride	...	Bertha (as Lilyan McBride)
Duncan McLeod	...	Man in Driveway
Michael G. Meday	...	Drag Racer
Janie Mudrick	...	Pinball Girl
James Oliver	...	Van Customizer
Rock Riddle	...	Beach Boy
Elizabeth Rogers	...	Mrs. Eastman
Adina Ross	...	Blond
Cherise Wilson	...	Mexican Girl
Jacqueline Jacobs	...	Graduation Guest

Directed by
Sam Grossman

Writing credits
Robert J. Rosenthal		(written by) (as Robert Rosenthal) &
Celia Susan Cotelo		(written by)

Produced by
Paul Lewis	....	producer
Marilyn Jacobs Tenser	....	executive producer (as Marilyn J. Tenser)

Original Music by
Steve Eaton

Cinematography by
Irv Goodnoff		(director of photography) (as Irvin Goodnoff)

Film Editing by
Pierre Jalbert
Fabien D. Tordjmann		(as Fabien Tordjman)

Art Direction by
Russell Schwartz

Makeup Department
Nancy Frechtling	....	makeup artist

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Morris Chapnick	....	first assistant director
J. Daniel Dusek	....	second assistant director (as Dan Dusek)

Art Department
Anne S. Coffey	....	assistant property master (as Ayne Coffey)
Kenneth Hergenroeder	....	property master (as Ken Hergenroeder)
Barry Rosenthal	....	assistant art director

Sound Department
Mark Bovos	....	sound mixer (as Mark Bovas)
John Leveque	....	sound effects editor
Dan Vandegrift	....	sound effects editor (as Dan Vandergrift)
Brett Wheatley	....	boom operator (as Brett Wheatly)

Stunts
Eddy Donno	....	stunt coordinator
Whitey Hughes	....	stunts (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Bill Boyne	....	second assistant camera (as William Boyne)
Allan Goodnoff	....	key grip (as Alan Goodnoff)
Jacques Haitkin	....	gaffer
M. Todd Henry	....	first assistant camera (as Todd Henry)
Richard Marshall	....	electrician
Trina Mitchum	....	still photographer
John Schrader	....	grip
Christopher Tufty	....	electrician (as Chris Tufty)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Diana Daniels	....	wardrobe

Editorial Department
Dennis Michelson	....	assistant editor
Florent Retz	....	assistant editor (as Danny Retz)

Music Department
Michael Lloyd	....	musical supervisor

Other crew
Fred Chriss	....	assistant to executive producer
Don Daniels	....	technical advisor
Jane Lear	....	production assistant
Bridget Murphy	....	production secretary
Eric Pierce	....	van coordinator
Tondea Willis	....	script supervisor (as Tondea Kay Willis)
George Barris	....	van customizer (uncredited)

Distributors

• Crown International Pictures (1977) (USA) (theatrical)
• Saguenay Films (1977) (Canada) (theatrical)
• BCI Eclipse (2006) (USA) (DVD)
• Catcom Home Entertainment (2001) (USA) (DVD)
• KNM Home Entertainment (2011) (Germany) (DVD)
• Legacy Entertainment (2004) (USA) (DVD)
• Mill Creek Entertainment (2009) (USA) (DVD) (in the "Too Cool for School Collection")

Other Companies

• Barris Kustom Industries  vans customized by
• Deluxe  color (as Deluxe®)
• Gomillion Sound  re-recording (as Gomillion Sound, Inc.)
• Jack Rabin & Associates  titles and opticals
• Leonetti Cine Rentals  equipment services
• Mother Moon  catering
• Warner / Curb Records  songs available on (as Warner-Curb Records and Tapes)

Also Known As:

"My Love Van" - Philippines (English title)

Runtime:

92 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15 | USA:R | Canada:R (Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Ontario)

Filming Locations:

7900 Stockton Road, Moorpark, California, USA

Trivia:

Despite having a prominent co-starring billing, Danny DeVito is in this movie for seven minutes in a total of six scenes.

Goofs:

Factual errors: Although the hit song "Chevy Van" is played often throughout the picture, and the movie itself was retitled "Chevy Van" on re-release, the van in this film is actually a Dodge.

Quotes:

Dugan Hicks:Well, what are you, chickening out, or we gotta match?
Bobby:Yeah, I gotta match... your face and my ass.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: Gamera vs. Zigra (#4.16)" (1991)

Soundtrack:

Hang My Head and Moan

Den of Sin on Wheels -- Toaster Included

The cult of personality has elevated the status of Roger Corman, Sam Arkoff, Lloyd Kaufman etc. as kings of the B's. Because the folks at Crown International were so key, they haven't been elevated to the status they richly deserve. A film like THE VAN may now seem like a disposable piece of Drive-in esoteria, but it was a sizable hit when it was released (not to mention subsequent re-releases as a double feature with other Crown hits).

THE VAN was a perfect example of Crown's hit strategy of seizing upon the mood of movie-goers at the time of a film's release. Here, it was sex, drugs, rock 'n roll and the brief "Custom Van" fad. As others have noted, it is ironic that the "hit" song in the film refers to a Chevy when the title vehicle is a Dodge in the film itself. I had a town Selectman where I was at the time even declare these vans to be "dens of sin on wheels!" A perfect ad line for the film!

There are the usual assortment of "good" and "bad" girls, muscle-heads and low-brow hijinks (including a supporting bit by Danny DeVito). In many ways this isn't much different from the old Beach Party movies of the 60's, but now spiced up with Nudity and Drug use. Obviously done on a limited budget and a limited schedule, the film coasts along pleasantly enough with a breezy charm that compensates for some, by today's standards certainly, un-PC views of women.

The classic touch is a Toaster for Bobby's den of sin on wheels. Yes, a Toaster! Hey, you gotta have something hot for those munchies!

Grindhouse Fest.