Flash used to be a talented baseball player, but he took to drinking and now he sells stolen watches in the streets. One day he meets Chu Chu, who, before falling into alcoholism like him, ...
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Title: Chu Chu and the Philly Flash (1981)
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3 nominations.
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Alan Arkin | ... | ||
| Carol Burnett | ... |
Emily
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| Jack Warden | ... |
The Commander
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| Danny Aiello | ... |
Johnson
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| Adam Arkin | ... |
Charlie
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| Danny Glover | ... |
Morgan
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| Sid Haig | ... |
Vince
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| Vincent Schiavelli | ... |
B.J.
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| Ruth Buzzi | ... |
Consuelo
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| Vito Scotti | ... |
Vittorio
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Lou Jacobi | ... |
Landlord
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Barbara Dana | ... |
Betty
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Scott Beach | ... |
Harry
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Geoff Hoyle | ... |
Clem
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Morgan Upton | ... |
Butts
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Plot Summary
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Storyline
Flash used to be a talented baseball player, but he took to drinking and now he sells stolen watches in the streets. One day he meets Chu Chu, who, before falling into alcoholism like him, was a successful entertainer. Now she still dances, but in the streets, for no more than a cent or two. Luck seems to smile at them the day they find stolen government documents forgotten some place. They decide to return them to their legal owners, but instead of the expected reward money, all they get is a load of trouble. Written by Guy Bellinger
Plot Keywords:
reference to carmen miranda | carmen miranda impersonator | vagrant | san francisco california | baseball has been |Taglines:
Meet the oddest and funniest couple of the year! See more »Genres:
ComedyParents Guide:
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Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
28 August 1981 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Crazy Street Life See more »Company Credits
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Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
MonoColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1
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Music by Pete Rugolo
Lyrics by Alan Arkin
Performed by Alan Arkin
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Did You Know?
Goofs
When Emily is dancing on the street dressed as Carmen Miranda, she's sometimes completely in the shadow of the building and sometimes in the sun. See more »Crazy Credits
First film to use the redesigned 20th Century Fox logo with the "straight" zero. See more »Soundtracks
Whole Lot of MoneyMusic by Pete Rugolo
Lyrics by Alan Arkin
Performed by Alan Arkin
See more »
Once again,I comment on the many "unfortunate" choices of movies I went to see in 1981. (I saw 19 movies all together.) Most reviews here have given you the plot of Alan Arkin being a washed up baseball player formerly known as "The Philly Flash" and that Carol Burnette is "Chu Chu" the street performer.
Together these two get caught up in what is yet another Hollywood comedy about the average Joe running from the Govt. because they possess some sort of document! (See "Dirty Tricks" for a similar plot!) Chu Chu witnesses a man in a suit leave his briefcase behind,which she deposits into an opening on the side of her drum. Pretty soon the man and several undercover folk are after her and the "Flash".
The briefcase is now hidden in a hot dog vending cart of one of her neighbors (who has to take this thing up & down stairs everyday!) The agents go to every hot dog vendor in the park,placing a "special order" every time that's the code word for the vendor to give them the case.
Overall,the (I guess) sentimental moments between Alan and Carol are a lot better than the comedy. I did laugh when I watched this but not as much as I thought I would. That's why I rate it 5 stars,it's only "kind of" funny and only "kind of" touching. Some re-writes (maybe from Carol herself) should have been made before final production.
If you wonder why Carol wasn't that funny in this,it's because she truly does belong in front of a "live" audience. I think their energy gives Carol comedic energy and a "knock 'em off their socks" attitude. She makes better movie dramas anyway like,"Friendly Fire" and the seriocomic "The Four Seasons" with Alan Alda.
I recall the early 80's as a time when Hollywood thought they didn't have to "try" anymore and that folks would watch just anything. Maybe young people would like it but not many adults. (END)