Americathon (1979)

In a story told in narrative flashbacks, a young TV consultant is hired by the President of a bankrupt USA to organize a telethon in order to prevent the country from being repossessed by wealthy Native Americans.

Director:

Neal Israel

Writers:

Phil Proctor (play) (as Phillip Proctor), Peter Bergman (play)

Stars:

Harvey Korman, Fred Willard, Peter Riegert

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Harvey Korman	...	Monty Rushmore
Fred Willard	...	Vincent Vanderhoff
Peter Riegert	...	Eric McMerkin
Zane Buzby	...	Mouling Jackson
Nancy Morgan	...	Lucy Beth
John Ritter	...	President Chet Roosevelt
Richard Schaal	...	Jerry
Allan Arbus	...	Moishe Weitzman
Elvis Costello	...	Earl Manchester
Chief Dan George	...	Sam Birdwater
Tommy Lasorda	...	Jimmy Dunphy
Jay Leno	...	Larry Miller (Poopy Butt)
Peter Marshall	...	Peter Marshall
David Opatoshu	...	Abdul Muhammad
Meat Loaf	...	Oklahoma Roy Budnitz

Storyline

In the not too distant future, the United States government is virtually bankrupt and in danger of being foreclosed on by a group of Native Americans, now owners of the massive Nike Corporation. A desperate President decides to make a last-ditch effort to save the country... by raising money with a telethon!

---

Plot Keywords:

political satire | national debt | presidential comedy | sabotage | energy crisis | 

---

Taglines:

The ultimate spectacle is now a movie.

---

Genres:

Comedy

---

Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

Dorothy Stratten appears in an uncredited role wearing a Playboy Bunny style costume in the scene where Roy Budnitz donates blood.

---

Goofs

The movie mentions that people all over the country were watching the telethon, including people from the first gay state, North Dakota. We then see a picture of Mount Rushmore which is in South Dakota

---

Quotes

Lucy Beth: [Answering the phone at the Western White House] Hi! United States of America!... No, this is Lucy... Oh! Yes, Mr. Ambassador! I'll tell him you called!

---

Connections

Featured in Sneak Previews: Sunburn, Americathon, Hot Stuff, Meatballs, The Concorde: Airport '79 (1979)

---

Soundtracks

Open Up Your Heart
Written and Performed by Eddie Money
Produced by Bruce Botnick and Eddie Money

User Reviews

Watch Meatloaf Battle A Car

It's 1998, America is out of gas both literally and figuratively. People live in permanently parked cars, walking, jogging and biking to work.

When a Native American billionaire who loaned money to the government to cover the national debt threatens to foreclose on the nation, a telethon is held to raise the money to save the country.

An early work from Neal Israel, the man who would later create such classics as the *original* "Police Academy" and "Real Genius," the movie brims with humorous high-concept jokes. For example, in schemes to raise money, San Diego is sold to Mexico and a daredevil (played by Meatloaf) battles a car.

Aside from the comedy, there's a great soundtrack with songs by the Beach Boys and Elvis Costello (who makes a cameo appearance). One of my favorite films of the late 70's, this is a great addition to anyone's video collection.

Details

Country:

West Germany USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 August 1979 (USA)

Also Known As:

Americathon

Box Office

Gross USA:

$6,171,763

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$6,171,763

Company Credits

Production Co:

Lorimar Filmgesellschaft GmbH, Lorimar Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

86 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1