The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia (1981)

Director:

Ronald F. Maxwell

Writers:

Bob Bonney (screen story)
Bob Bonney (screenplay)

Release Date:

29 May 1981 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Music

Tagline:

You're never too young to learn the score.

Plot Keywords:

Musician | Long Title | Territory Name In Title | Bar | On The Road

Cast

Kristy McNichol	...	Amanda Child
Dennis Quaid	...	Travis Child
Mark Hamill	...	Conrad
Sunny Johnson	...	Melody
Don Stroud	...	Seth Ames
Arlen Dean Snyder	...	Andy
Barry Corbin	...	Wimbish
Lulu McNichol	...	Boogie Woogie
Royce Clark	...	Luther
Jerry Rushing	...	L.C.
Jerry Campbell	...	Odie
Maxwell Morrow	...	Bully #1
Bill Gribble	...	Bully #2
Lonnie R. Smith	...	Bully #3 (as Lonnie Smith)
Elaine Falone	...	Verna

Runtime:

120 min | Canada:110 min (Ontario)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Canada:PG (Ontario) | Finland:K-16 | Norway:15 | USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA

Company:

Viacom Enterprises

Trivia:

The title was inspired by the 1970s hit song of the same name.

Quotes:

Travis: And I asked the Lord, "Lord, why have you forsaken me?". But there was silence. So , I asked again, "Lord, WHY have you forsaken me?", and there was silence. So I asked again, "LORD, WHY have you forsaken me?"... and this great booming voice said "Geez, I don't know Travis, I guess something about you just chaps at my ass."

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Melrose Place: The Night the Lights Went Out at Melrose (#7.13)" (1998)

Soundtrack:

If You Don't Know by Now

This Movie was filmed in my hometown

I guess what makes this flick so unique for me is the fact that it was filmed almost entirely on location in my hometown....of Trenton, Georgia...which is a smalltown(Population app. 1,500) in the Northwest Georgia Mountains....the backdrop wasn't changed at all...and now I can watch this film and see my hometown 22 years ago(even though it was released in 1981...it was filmed during the summer months of 1980)....The script is lacking indeed..I'll give you that...but, it does have my favorite actor of all time(Dennis Quaid) starring in it...I've often thought if they'd made the movie based strictly on the lyrics to the well known Vicki Lawrence song..it would have been much better....But, as it is...if you aren't from the Chattanooga,Tn./Trenton,Ga. area it would probably be a major dissapointment for you....But, if you like Dennis Quaid or Don Stroud you'll enjoy it...worth watching...Dennis Quaid surprised me...He really can sing!!!