Thank God It's Friday (1978)

A Friday in the life of the disco club the Zoo, where the staff and clients meet and dance their their lives away.

Director:

Robert Klane

Writer:

Armyan Bernstein (as Barry Armyan Bernstein)

Stars:

Donna Summer, Valerie Landsburg, Terri Nunn

Won 1 Oscar. Another 1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Valerie Landsburg	...	Frannie
Terri Nunn	...	Jeannie
Chick Vennera	...	Marv Gomez
Donna Summer	...	Nicole Sims
Ray Vitte	...	Bobby Speed
Mark Lonow	...	Dave
Andrea Howard	...	Sue
Jeff Goldblum	...	Tony
Robin Menken	...	Maddy
Debra Winger	...	Jennifer
John Friedrich	...	Ken
Paul Jabara	...	Carl
Mews Small	...	Jackie (as Marya Small)
Chuck Sacci	...	Gus
Hilary Beane	...	Shirley

Storyline

It's Friday and everyone is going to the hot new disco. The Commodores are scheduled to play if Floyd shows up with the instruments and Nicole dreams of becoming a disco star. Other characters are there to win the dance contest, or to put a little excitement into a fifth anniversary.

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Plot Keywords:

disco | dance contest | hot dog stand | racial slur | reference to kiss the band | 

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Taglines:

After 5000 years of civilization, we all need a break.

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Genres:

Comedy | Music

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Official Sites:

Sony Movie Channel [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

20 July 1978 (Netherlands)

Also Known As:

T.G.I.F.

Filming Locations:

La Cienega Boulevard, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$2,200,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$7,300,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Casablanca Filmworks, Major Studio Partners, Motown Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

89 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The movie was released about six months after Saturday Night Fever (1977). The picture is considered as being a studio programmer cashing in on the success of that movie as the film's title featured the other big day of the week-end (Friday rather than Saturday) in which people go out at night.

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Goofs

Halfway through the movie, Frannie and Jeannie are sitting on a car. Just as they start walking away, the car starts to drive off with Jeannie's purse on it (with all their money). As Jeannie and Frannie start chasing after it you can see Jeannie look down to find her mark to stop in the right spot for the camera shot.

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Quotes

Bobby Speed: Hey listen man. When I, Bobby Speed, promises his audience live music, he delivers.
Voice of Sam: You'd better, turkey, or you'll be back at the supermarket announcin' specials!

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Crazy Credits

The 25th June 1979 edition of the New York publication 'The Village Voice' reported that 'Kenny Freidman' was a producer on this picture but in the end there is no producing billing for him in the picture's credits.

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Connections

Referenced in The Cinema Snob: Shake, Rattle & Rock! (2018)

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Soundtracks

Je t'aime (Moi non plus)
Performed by Donna Summer
Written by Serge Gainsbourg (uncredited)
Produced by Pete Bellotte (uncredited), Giorgio Moroder (uncredited)
Casablanca Records

User Reviews

Great music, great fun

More disco to the people! TGIF was a favourite TRIPLE album (actually two lp's plus a maxi single with Donna Summer singing Je t'aime (moi non plus) for 13 minutes) of mine long before I lay my hands on a copy of the film. The music is fantastic and the film is ... well ... unique.

The cover art and screen shots on the soundtrack album had intrigued me for years and watching the film was certainly no disappointment: Lots of weird characters, a weird plot and highly enjoyable. I particularly find the idea of having a dancefloor DJ doubling as a live radio DJ hilarious. Have you ever worked with radio, as a DJ or simply have a secret craving for obscure, dusty vinyl disco records - this is the film for you.

Everybody seems to be having a good time making the film. and Donna Summer are quite funny when she breaks into the DJ's booth and try to imitate - Donna Summer...

Finally - did the 1970's discos really close at midnight? :-)