IMDb > Chu Chu and the Philly Flash (1981)

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

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Overview

User Rating:
3.6/10   144 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
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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
Plot Keywords:
more
User Comments:
It could have been worse! more (9 total)

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
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Additional Details

Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parents
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
Filming Locations:
22nd & Carolina Streets, Potrero Hill, San Francisco, California, USA more
Company:
Melvin Simon Productions more

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 "Talent Scouts" (1948) more
Soundtrack:
Whole Lot of Money more

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User Comments

   (Comment on this title)
5 out of 7 people found the following comment useful.
It could have been worse!, 30 October 2005
5/10
Author: happipuppi13 from Phx. Arizona ("Arizona Smells Funny"!- Homer Simpson)

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)

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