The Gong Show Movie (1980)

A week in the life of "The Gong Show" host and creator Chuck Barris who lives through a series of outrageous competitors, stressful situations, a nervous breakdown and other comical ... See full summary »

Director:

Chuck Barris

Writers:

Chuck Barris, Robert Downey Sr.

Stars:

Robin Altman, Chuck Barris, Brian O'Mullin

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robin Altman	...	Red
Chuck Barris	...	Himself
Brian O'Mullin	...	Bum
Jack Bernardi	...	Violin Player (Elderly Man)
Satisfaction	...	Singing Group
William Tregoe	...	Winking Man
Harvey Alpert	...	Trumpet Man
Mabel King	...	Mabel
Lillie Shelton	...	Mabel's Mama
James B. Douglas	...	Buddy Didlo
Harvey Lembeck	...	Man in Steam Room
Ed Marinaro	...	Man in Locker Room
Murray Langston	...	The Unknown Comic
Melvin Presar	...	'In the Mood' Chicken Dancer
Steve Garvey	...	Himself

Storyline

A week in the life of "The Gong Show" host and creator Chuck Barris who lives through a series of outrageous competitors, stressful situations, a nervous breakdown and other comical characters involved in his life and work on the TV show.

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Plot Keywords:

the gong show | gong | doctor | man with no name | outtakes | 

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Taglines:

The Gong Show that was gonged by the censor.

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 May 1980 (USA)

Also Known As:

El espectáculo más loco loco del mundo

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Chuck Barris Productions, Universal Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

89 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

During the breakup scene there is a blurry newspaper on the wall that says, "GONG MOVIE SMASH HIT, BARRIS NEXT FELLINI."

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Quotes

Father Ed: Today I'd like to pose a Biblical question. Is there reincarnation after death, and if there is, does the individual return in a higher or lower state than he or she held in his or her mortal life?
Chuck Barris: Ooh, that's an interesting question, Father Ed. What is, uh, what is the answer to that question?
Father Ed: Beats the shit out of me.

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Connections

References Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

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Soundtracks

"Robin's Song"
Music by Chuck Barris

User Reviews

A Cult Classic That Deserves To Be Released on VHS and DVD!

This movie is just one big "uncensored" episode of the infamous tv show "The Gong Show" and for fans of the show, like myself, it's truly a memorable classic. When this movie was released 21 years ago, it was bashed by critics who called it "nothing more than a sleazy freak show" and that's probably the reason why it was never released on video. I think it's about time that somebody re-issues this hilarious tale of just how far a game show host will go to exploit and humiliate the guests on his show. Chuck "Chucky Baby" Barris plays himself in a much more mellow role than the one he played on the show (rumor has it that Barris was high on uppers during almost every broadcast...and it showed) as a man frustrated with the networks who want him to keep his syndicated show on a fine line between the insane and the obscene. This being too hard to do, Barris suffers a nervous breakdown which leads him into exile in a desert in Morocco where all his friends follow him and convince him to just "do what he wants to do" despite what the networks who broadcast his show say. This is accompanied by a catchy tune titled "Don't Get up For Me". Barris finally goes back to the states and does the show "his way", causing one network executive to literally faint during the broadcast. This movie was a perfect ending to The Gong Show itself, which went off the air a few months after the movie premiered. The uncensored collection of auditions and show performances in this movie are priceless. Some of the acts include a man portraying Jesus Christ on the cross singing the Dean Martin tune "Please Release Me, Let Me Go", The Unknown Comic's vulgar jokes, two siamese twins singing The Captain and Tennille's "Love Will Keep Us Together", Jaye P. Morgan flashing her breasts, a human flatulent machine, an upside down banjo player who is dropped onto the stage head-first, and a folk song about legalizing prostitution, just to name a few. The soundtrack is great and it should be released along with the movie itself. The problem with today's movies are that all of them, whether great or horrible, are released on video while many movies before 1990 were never released on video. It didn't matter if they were great or lousy. I hope to see a copy of this movie on the market within the next few years. My copy isn't that good because it's very very old and barely watchable. That's why we need this cult classic on video. See it if you can. If not, petition to see it by having MCA Universal release it on VHS and DVD. 21 years without it is enough. Get your act together Universal...it's about time.