Americathon (1979)

In a story told in narrative flashbacks, a young TV consultant is hired by the President of a bankrupt USA to organize a telethon in order to prevent the country from being repossessed by wealthy Native Americans.

Director:

Neal Israel

Writers:

Phil Proctor (play), Peter Bergman (play),

Stars:

John Ritter, Harvey Korman, Fred Willard

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
John Ritter	...	President Chet Roosevelt
Harvey Korman	...	Monty Rushmore
Fred Willard	...	Vincent Vanderhoff
Chief Dan George	...	Sam Birdwater
Richard Schaal	...	Jerry
Peter Riegert	...	Eric McMurkin
Nancy Morgan	...	Lucy Beth
Zane Buzby	...	Mouling Jackson
Meat Loaf	...	Oklahoma Daredevil, Roy Budnitz
Elvis Costello	...	The Earl of Manchester
Terence McGovern	...	Danny Olson (as Terry McGovern)
Tommy Lasorda	...	Jimmy Dunphy
Howard Hesseman	...	Kip Margolis
Jay Leno	...	Larry Miller (Poopy Butt)
Peter Marshall	...	Himself

Storyline

In the not too distant future, the United States government is virtually bankrupt and in danger of being foreclosed on by a group of Native Americans, now owners of the massive Nike Corporation. A desperate President decides to make a last-ditch effort to save the country... by raising money with a telethon!

---

Plot Keywords:

native american | telethon | government | future | adultery | 

---

Taglines:

The ultimate spectacle is now a movie.

---

Genres:

Comedy

---

Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA West Germany

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 August 1979 (USA)

Also Known As:

Americanada 1998

Company Credits

Production Co:

Lorimar Filmgesellschaft GmbH

Technical Specs

Runtime:

86 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Dorothy Stratten appears in an uncredited role wearing a Playboy Bunny style costume in the scene where Roy Budnitz donates blood.

---

Goofs

The movie mentions that people all over the country were watching the telethon, including people from the first gay state, North Dakota. We then see a picture of Mount Rushmore which is in South Dakota

---

Quotes

Mouling Jackson: [singing] Don't you ever say 'No' to me / Listen, I'm a lady, period. / Classy, too. / Wont'cha come over here / And I'll prove it to you / And then if you still don't think / I got style and grace / I'm gonna oh, so gracefully / rip the lips off of your face!

---

Connections

Featured in 42nd Street Forever, Volume 4: Cooled by Refrigeration (2009)

---

Soundtracks

"Car Wars"
(instrumental)
Performed by Tom Scott

User Reviews

Watch Meatloaf Battle A Car

It's 1998, America is out of gas both literally and figuratively. People live in permanently parked cars, walking, jogging and biking to work.

When a Native American billionaire who loaned money to the government to cover the national debt threatens to foreclose on the nation, a telethon is held to raise the money to save the country.

An early work from Neal Israel, the man who would later create such classics as the *original* "Police Academy" and "Real Genius," the movie brims with humorous high-concept jokes. For example, in schemes to raise money, San Diego is sold to Mexico and a daredevil (played by Meatloaf) battles a car.

Aside from the comedy, there's a great soundtrack with songs by the Beach Boys and Elvis Costello (who makes a cameo appearance). One of my favorite films of the late 70's, this is a great addition to anyone's video collection.