Home
search
more | tips
IMDb > Chu Chu and the Philly Flash (1981)

Chu Chu and the Philly Flash (1981) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 2 | slideshow)

Overview

User Rating:
3.6/10   138 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 82% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
David Lowell Rich
Writers:
Henry Barrow (story)
Barbara Dana (writer)
Contact:
View company contact information for Chu Chu and the Philly Flash on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
28 August 1981 (USA) more
Genre:
Comedy more
User Comments:
Classic Alan Arkin... more

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Alan Arkin ... Flash

Carol Burnett ... Emily

Jack Warden ... The Commander

Danny Aiello ... Johnson

Adam Arkin ... Charlie

Danny Glover ... Morgan

Sid Haig ... Vince

Vincent Schiavelli ... B.J
Ruth Buzzi ... Consuelo
Vito Scotti ... Vittorio
Lou Jacobi ... Landlord
Barbara Dana ... Betty
Scott Beach ... Harry
Geoff Hoyle ... Clem
Morgan Upton ... Butts
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
100 min | Australia:96 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono
Certification:
Australia:PG | USA:PG

Fun Stuff

Goofs:
Continuity: 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. more
Movie Connections:
References Scared Stiff (1953) more
Soundtrack:
Whole Lot of Money more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
4 out of 5 people found the following comment useful:-
Classic Alan Arkin..., 4 May 2005
6/10
Author: kmw1962 from Malvern

Alan Arkin is a bum, surrounded by characters crazier than himself, who has finally dried out and has the chance to play minor league ball. (He was known as the "Philly Flash" when he was a major league pitcher, before becoming a major drunk.) The only catch is, he's got to get there(Minnestoa as I recall) himself. So he does all the things street people do, wash car windshields, do small errands, sell bogus crap to people to get the bus ticket money. He has friends and colleagues, but not the kind that will finance him (Hey,we're talking $40 here) So he's trying to earn the bus ticket money.

Enter, Chu Chu (Carol Burnett) a street performer who teaches music to the desperately untalented from her one room apartment and does a very funny one woman band show for spare change on the street. When they meet, its love at first sight, okay, maybe second second. Although the main comedy instrument is the discovery of secret government documents, which the Flash informs Chu Chu are worth "fifty bucks, maybe seventy five", this movie is about the love between two hapless characters who's talents aren't enough for fame and fortune but gives them the hope that they can have a better life than the ones they have.

What makes this film really work is that their best friends sitting in the bus depot basically recalling the events of the last few days while waiting for their friends to arrive. If Chu Chu and the Flash are life's losers, then Charlie (played by Adam Arkin) and Theresa are a few rungs below that. Everyone should have friends as loyal and selfless as these two.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Chu Chu and the Philly Flash (1981)

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Radio Days Magical Maestro Slick Hare Angels with Broken Wings What's Cookin' Doc?
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits IMDb Comedy section
IMDb USA section Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.