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	...	Chuck Barris
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	...	Stve Garvey - Baseball Player

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:

(All the stuff Chuck Barris had to keep under his hat until now!)

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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

The footage of Jaye P. Morgan flashing her breasts was taken from an actual "Gong Show" taping, from which it had been deleted for obvious reasons.

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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 Gone with the Wind (1939)

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Soundtracks

"Sometimes It Just Don't Pay to Get Up"
Words & Music by Chuck Barris

User Reviews

The Chuck Barris vanity project.

I always wanted to see The Gong Show Movie. As a kid, I was a big fan of Mr. Barris. I wanted to grow up to be just like him. He represented the ultimate in manhood.

Made near the end of the Gong Show's run in 1980, Chuck Barris made a critically lambasted vanity project about how much "fun" it was being the host of the program. Unlike Mariah Carey's "Glitter", Chuck Barris wasn't trying to make a masterpiece. He pretty much portrays a week in the life of himself. You get to see the "talented" contestants attempts to impress him to get a chance to appear on T.V. (some of whom were deemed too racy for the 1970's so this R-rated movie showcases performances that never aired). Wherever he goes, he runs into people who were smart enough to know that having zero talent was good enough to appear on The Gong Show; everyone is trying to audition for him on the spot with some zany numbers. Cameos by just about all his favorite judges appear (I liked Rip Taylor's hilarious role as a waiter) and there are some amusing numbers; especially the showstopper "Don't Get Up For Me". Although it's not a very good film, it's great to finally be able to see a time capsule of one of the most off-beat programs ever aired on the boob tube. My next wish: I want too see the "Best Of The Gong Show" on DVD. Now!

BTW, it was great to see "The Unknown Comic" again. The idea of putting a paper bag on your head while cracking horrid jokes was pure genius. I think he even had his own movie made in the mid-80's, too.