In a story told in narrative flashbacks, young TV consultant Eric McMerkin is hired by President Chet Roosevelt of a bankrupt USA to organize a telethon in order to prevent the country from being repossessed by wealthy Native Americans.
Director:
Writers:
Stars:
Awards:
- 1 win & 1 nomination.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Cast
| Harvey Korman | ... |
Monty Rushmore
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| Fred Willard | ... |
Vincent Vanderhoff
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| Peter Riegert | ... |
Eric McMerkin
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| Zane Buzby | ... |
Mouling Jackson
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| Nancy Morgan | ... |
Lucy Beth
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| John Ritter | ... |
President Chet Roosevelt
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| Richard Schaal | ... |
Jerry
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| Allan Arbus | ... |
Moishe Weitzman
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| Elvis Costello | ... |
Earl Manchester
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| Chief Dan George | ... |
Sam Birdwater
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| Tommy Lasorda | ... |
Jimmy Dunphy
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| Jay Leno | ... |
Larry Miller (Poopy Butt)
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| Peter Marshall | ... |
Peter Marshall
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| David Opatoshu | ... |
Abdul Muhammad
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| Meat Loaf | ... |
Oklahoma Roy Budnitz
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| George Carlin | ... |
Narrator (voice)
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| Nellie Bellflower | ... |
Missy, VP Advertising
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| J.A. Preston | ... |
Morty
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Jimmy Weldon | ... |
Big Jim, VP Research
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| Regis Cordic | ... |
Herb
(as Rege Cordic)
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| Terence McGovern | ... |
Danny Olson
(as Terry McGovern)
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| Michael Mislove | ... |
Mickey
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Robert Beer | ... |
David Eisenhower
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Althea Lawton | ... |
Sherri
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John Creamer | ... |
Oliver Holmes
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| George Memmoli | ... |
Binky Fun
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| Gary Wood | ... |
Paul Claude Terrando
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| Ben Fong Torres | ... |
Chinese
(as Ben Fong-Torres)
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| John Lone | ... |
Chinese
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Rollin Moriyama | ... |
Chinese
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Mitsu Yashima | ... |
Chinese
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Greta Stephanie Gratz | ... |
Princess Birdwater
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Lenard George | ... |
Lenny Birdwater
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| George Fisher | ... |
Al Feisal
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Jim Burke | ... |
Commando #1
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| David S. Cass Sr. | ... |
Commando #2
(as Dave Cass)
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| Fred Lerner | ... |
Commando #3
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Mike H. McGaughy | ... |
Commando #4
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Jamie Masada | ... |
Commando #5
(as Jamie Mizada)
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| Richard Reicheg | ... |
Commando #6
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Joe Rizkallah | ... |
Commando #7
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| Howard Hesseman | ... |
Kip Margolis
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Dede Howard | ... |
Cindy
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Geno Andrews | ... |
Chris Broder
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Michael Collins | ... |
Mr. Broder
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Sosimo Hernandez | ... |
Juan Flan
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| John Welsh | ... |
Ben
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Damon Bradley Raskin | ... |
Timmy
(as Damon Raskin)
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Georgi Irene | ... |
Baby Irene
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Jeannine Irene | ... |
Irene's Mother
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May Boss | ... |
Adele Miller
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Dom Magwili | ... |
Mouling's Manager
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Ron Prince | ... |
Head Electrician
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Joe Finnegan | ... |
Assistant Electrician
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| Gene LeBell | ... |
Referee
(as Gene Le Bell)
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Kurt Taylor | ... |
Reporter #1
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Doug Steckler | ... |
Reporter #2
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Valerie Danielle Perri | ... |
T.V. Production Assistant
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Darlene Joy Dirkquist | ... |
Monty's Girl #1
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Ilona Wilson | ... |
Monty's Girl #2
(as Ilona V. Wilson)
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Cynthia Zigeti | ... |
Secretary
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Olesley Cole | ... |
Costumer
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| Bobby Baum | ... |
Tailor
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Stan Barrett | ... |
Stage Hand
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Jon Robbins | ... |
Stage Hand
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| Charles A. Tamburro | ... |
Stage Hand
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Bill Ford | ... |
Stage Hand
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| Loren Janes | ... |
Stage Hand
(as Loren James)
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Jay Ross | ... |
Cameraman
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Teri Schwartz | ... |
Tourist
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Janie Squire | ... |
Student
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| Selma Archerd | ... |
Telethon Phone Celebrity
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| Robert Starr | ... |
T.V. Technician
(as a different name)
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| Neal Israel | ... |
Rabbi Protester
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Art Musto | ... |
Act
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Karen Hartman | ... |
Act
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Jerry Layne | ... |
Act
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Michael St. Clair | ... |
Act
(as Mike St. Clair)
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| Willie Tyler | ... |
Ventriloquist #1
(as William Tyler)
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| Elena Del Rubio | ... |
Singing Guitarist
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Milly Del Rubio | ... |
Singing Gutarist
(as Millie Del Rubio)
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Eadie Del Rubio | ... |
Singing Guitarist
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| Eric Lee | ... |
Act
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Carl Carlsson | ... |
Juggler
(as Carl Carlson)
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| Ruth Carlsson | ... |
Juggler
(as Ruth Carlson)
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Tony Cappola | ... |
Act
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| Dick Winslow | ... |
Act
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| Jerry Maren | ... |
Act
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| Zelda Rubinstein | ... |
Act
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Jimmy Briscoe | ... |
Act
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Elizabeth Barrington | ... |
Act
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| Harry Monty | ... |
Act
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| Frank Delfino | ... |
Act
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Anita Liebert | ... |
Act
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David Beckett | ... |
Act
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| Chester Hayes | ... |
Act
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| Linda Montana | ... |
Act
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Skeeter Vaughan | ... |
Act
(as Skeeter Vaughn)
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Maurice Cook | ... |
Act
(as Maurice Cooke)
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Sophia Bibbs | ... |
Act
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Michael McLoughlin | ... |
Act
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Larry Ahlman | ... |
Act
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Merrill Hardy | ... |
Act
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Ronald J. May | ... |
Act
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Bruce Brann | ... |
Act
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Keenan Jackson | ... |
Act
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Roy D. Jackson | ... |
Act
(as Roy Jackson)
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Ronald Jackson | ... |
Act
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| Fred Spencer | ... |
Act
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Alan Peterson | ... |
Act
(as Al Alan Peterson)
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Eric Boles | ... |
Act
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Robert Strom | ... |
Act
(as Bob Strom)
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Don Seigal | ... |
Act
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| Kal Szkalak | ... |
Act
(as Kalman Z. Szkalak)
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| Dennis Tinerino | ... |
Act
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| Jake Steinfeld | ... |
Act
(as Jake Steinfeldt)
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Tom Platz | ... |
Act
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Jim Yosenchak | ... |
Act
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Tony Clark Stewart | ... |
Act
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Christopher Lowry | ... |
Act
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Richard Rossington | ... |
Act
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Fred Wilson | ... |
Act
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| David Pomeranz | ... |
Singer
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Lori Lieberman | ... |
Singer
(as Lori Leiberman)
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Billy Barnum | ... |
Singer
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Maxine Anderson | ... |
Singer
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Lee Lund | ... |
Dancer
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| Smith Wordes | ... |
Dancer
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Cindy DeVore | ... |
Dancer
(as Cynthia Lynne Devore)
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Sandy Rovetta | ... |
Band Member
(as Sandra Roveta)
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Eddie Verso | ... |
Band Member
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Edward J. Heim | ... |
Band Member
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Marianna Pecora | ... |
Band Member
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Deborah Ann Routson | ... |
Band Member
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Warren Lucas | ... |
Band Member
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Bruce Keeler | ... |
Band Member
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Johnny Oliver | ... |
Band Member
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Chris Page | ... |
Band Member
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Jon Wolff | ... |
Band Member
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John Mayhan | ... |
Band Member
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Pat Zicari | ... |
Band Member
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Carmen Fanzone | ... |
Band Member
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Michael Egan | ... |
Band Member
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Michael George | ... |
Band Member
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Bob Rafkin | ... |
Band Member
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Frank Fabio | ... |
Band Member
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Henry Newmark | ... |
Band Member
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
| John Carradine | ... |
Uncle Sam (scenesDeleted)
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| Nathaniel K. Dorsey | ... |
Bicycle Rider
(as Nay K. Dorsey)
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Al Beaudine | ... |
Spectator at Inauguration (uncredited)
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Alison Brown | ... |
Americathon stage dancer (uncredited)
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| Elizabeth Carder | ... |
Clergy (uncredited)
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| Jimmy Carter | ... |
Self (uncredited) (archiveFootage)
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Donald Chaffin | ... |
Spectator at Inauguration (uncredited)
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Terry Donohue | ... |
Technical Director (uncredited)
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Ken DuMain | ... |
Spectator at Inauguration (uncredited)
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Len Felber | ... |
Spectator at Inauguration (uncredited)
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Steven Hauptman | ... |
Bicyclist (uncredited)
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Birl Jonns | ... |
Dancer (uncredited)
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Helen Kelly | ... |
On the Telephone (uncredited)
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Jef Labes | ... |
Band Member (uncredited)
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Mike McCartney | ... |
Ventriloquist #2 (uncredited)
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| Cybill Shepherd | ... |
Gold Girl (uncredited)
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| Dorothy Stratten | ... |
Americathon Stage Dancer (uncredited)
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Bob Templeton | ... |
Spectator at Inauguration (uncredited)
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Cynthia Windham | ... |
Dancer (uncredited)
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Directed by
| Neal Israel | ||
Written by
| Phil Proctor | ... | (play) (as Phillip Proctor) & |
| Peter Bergman | ... | (play) |
| Phil Proctor | ... | (adaptation) (as Phillip Proctor) & |
| Peter Bergman | ... | (adaptation) |
| Neal Israel | ... | (screenplay) & |
| Michael Mislove | ... | (screenplay) & |
| Monica Mcgowan Johnson | ... | (screenplay) (as Monica Johnson) |
Produced by
| David Nichols | ... | associate producer |
| Edward Rosen | ... | executive producer |
| Joe Roth | ... | producer |
Music by
| Tom Scott | ||
Cinematography by
| Gerald Hirschfeld | ||
Editing by
| David Blangsted | ||
| John C. Howard | ... | supervising editor |
Editorial Department
| John C. Howard | ... | supervising editor |
| Mary Scott | ... | assistant film editor |
| Bobbie Shapiro | ... | assistant film editor (as Bobby Shapiro) |
| Russel Wiles | ... | assistant film editor |
| Priscilla Nedd-Friendly | ... | assistant editor (uncredited) |
Production Design by
| Stan Jolley | ||
Costume Design by
| Daniel Paredes | ||
Makeup Department
| Benjamin Douglas | ... | makeup artist (as Benjamin V. Douglas) |
| Virginia G. Hadfield | ... | hair stylist (as Virginia Hadfield) |
Production Management
| Leon Chooluck | ... | unit production manager |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Jack Baran | ... | first assistant director |
| Stan Jolley | ... | second unit director |
| William Lasky | ... | key second assistant director (as William R. Lasky) |
| Alice West | ... | key second assistant director |
Art Department
| Ian Campbell | ... | graphics |
| Howard Cole | ... | second prop man (as Howard R. Cole) |
| Olesley Cole | ... | assistant prop man |
| Mark Fabus | ... | set designer (as Mark L. Fabus) |
| Thomas Gark | ... | property master |
| Phil Garner | ... | additional graphics |
| Richard D. Kent | ... | set director |
| Tony Silver | ... | americathon logo by |
| C.D. Taylor | ... | graphics |
| Randal Woodward | ... | stand-by painter |
| Robert L. Anderson | ... | construction coordinator (uncredited) |
| Paul J. Campanella | ... | scenic painter (uncredited) |
| Max Montoya | ... | swing gang (uncredited) |
| Fred Morrison | ... | swing gang (uncredited) |
| Joseph M. Posateri | ... | swing gang (uncredited) |
| Gene Poseteri | ... | leadman (uncredited) |
Sound Department
| Les Fresholtz | ... | re-recording mixer (as Lester Fresholtz) |
| Victor Guarnier | ... | sound effects supervisor |
| Dick Kupper | ... | dialogue editor |
| James LaRue | ... | sound mixer |
| Michael Minkler | ... | re-recording mixer |
| Phil Mitchell Jr. | ... | boom man (as Phil Mitchell) |
| Arthur Piantadosi | ... | re-recording mixer |
| Larry Tozzi | ... | apprentice sound editor |
| Forest Williams | ... | boom man (as Forrest R. Williams) |
Stunts
| Joe Finnegan | ... | stunt coordinator |
| Gene LeBell | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Bill Bohny | ... | camera operator |
| Marvin E. Cody | ... | second grip |
| John Greene | ... | electrician (as John C. Greene) |
| Michael Laws | ... | electrician (as Michael J. Laws) |
| Daniel D. Nowack | ... | grip |
| Brice Porter | ... | electrician (as Brice D. Porter) |
| Tony Rivetti | ... | first assistant camera: "a" camera / steadicam |
| Ed Simmonds | ... | electrician |
| Alex Skvorzov | ... | best boy |
| Gerald Szillinsky | ... | grip (as Gerald T. Szillinsky) |
| Donald E. Thorin Jr. | ... | second assistant camera |
| Louis Tobin | ... | gaffer |
| Bob West | ... | key grip (as Robert West) |
| Charles Williams | ... | dolly grip |
| Marv Newton | ... | still photographer (uncredited) |
Casting Department
| Eve Brandstein | ... | casting executive |
| Robin Stoltz | ... | casting: telethon |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Andy Hylton | ... | costumer (as Andrew R. Hylton) |
| Jane Ruhm | ... | costumer: women |
| Mel Sawicki | ... | assistant costumer (as Melvin F. Sawicki) |
Location Management
| Pam O'Har | ... | location manager (uncredited) |
Music Department
| Bodie Chandler | ... | music supervisor |
| Dick DeBenedictis | ... | additional orchestrations |
| Jay Levy | ... | executive in charge of music |
| John E. Oliver | ... | music production coordinator (as Johnny Oliver) |
| D'Vaughn Pershing | ... | additional orchestrations |
| George Probert | ... | music editor |
| Ken Runyon | ... | music editor |
| Michael Boddicker | ... | musician: synthesizer (uncredited) |
| Alfred J. Carranza | ... | assistant music editor (uncredited) |
| George Doering | ... | musician (uncredited) |
Script and Continuity Department
| Stuart Lippman | ... | script supervisor |
Transportation Department
| James M. Downs | ... | driver (uncredited) |
| John Downs | ... | driver (uncredited) |
| Bill Gray | ... | driver (uncredited) |
| Michael McDuffee | ... | transportation co-captain (uncredited) |
| Gerald R. Molen | ... | transportation captain (uncredited) |
| Henry Richard Sanders | ... | driver (uncredited) |
| Gary Vermillion | ... | driver (uncredited) |
Additional Crew
| Marisa Alcaraz | ... | production coordinator |
| Tita Bell | ... | secretary |
| David Chaves | ... | assistant choreographer |
| Michael Dilbeck | ... | liaison: CBS |
| Francis X. Feighan | ... | unit publicist |
| Althea Lawton | ... | secretary to the director (as Althea Lawton Pomeranz) |
| Laura McInteer-Rimpau | ... | auditor |
| Michael Mislove | ... | production consultant |
| Dan Perri | ... | title design (as Dan Perri LTD.) |
| Jaime Rogers | ... | choreographer |
| Scott Winant | ... | assistant to director |
| Tina Winkler | ... | secretary to the producer |
| Smith Wordes | ... | assistant choreographer |
| Tom Brocato | ... | publicist (uncredited) |
| Kendall Knapp | ... | medic (uncredited) |
| Roland T. Love | ... | craft service (uncredited) |
| Donna Nichols-Laster | ... | payroll (uncredited) |
Production Companies
Distributors
- United Artists (1979) (United States) (theatrical)
- New Gold Entertainment (1980) (Italy) (theatrical)
- Roadshow Films (1980) (Australia) (theatrical)
- American Broadcasting Company (ABC) (1981) (United States) (tv)
- Karl-Lorimar Home Video (1985) (United States) (VHS)
- Audio Video Magnetics (1985) (Greece) (VHS)
- Video Medien Pool (VMP) (1985) (West Germany) (VHS)
- Prince Home Vídeo (1985) (Brazil) (VHS)
- Warner Home Video (1992) (United States) (VHS)
- Warner Home Video (2010) (United States) (DVD)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- Dan Perri (title design)
- Ellison / Gartzman Company (casting)
- Judi's Casting Service (extras casting)
- O'Har & Associates (locations)
- Pacific Title (opticals)
- Tahiti Tourist Board (special thanks)
- The Commercial Store (video consultant)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
In the distant future (1998), the United States of America has gone broke and is in danger of being foreclosed by a group of Native Americans, now owners of the massive Nike Corporation. A desperate and mellow fellow, President Chet Roosevelt decides to make a last-ditch attempt to save the country from complete bankruptcy... by raising money with a national telethon. And with this way-out-there premise as a launch pad, Americathon explodes into outer space and the country may have a prayer when the people running the show does not have a clue.
Written by |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | The ultimate spectacle is now a movie. See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | Add content advisory for parents » |
| Certification |
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Additional Details
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Did You Know?
| Trivia | As part of the promotion for this movie's release in 1979, Ted Coombs traveled on roller-skates across the United States for a total of 5,193 miles, setting a world record. He is currently a technology author, futurist, portrait artist and forensic scientist. See more » |
| 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 See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in Sunburn, Americathon, Hot Stuff, Meatballs, The Concorde: Airport '79 (1979). See more » |
| Soundtracks | It's A Beautiful Day See more » |
| Quotes |
[opening sequence; two dinosaurs fighting]
Jimmy Carter: What you're looking at is downtown Pittsburgh, one million B.C. Those two big guys are fighting for a parking space. This is where our story begins. If they could have just learned to live together like decent human beings, they'd still be around and there never would have been an energy crisis. But they died out, and what was left of them turned into fossil fuel... Oil. See, it's not cute when eleven tons gets cranky. Their problem was they were all teeth and no brain... [Shot of President Jimmy Carter] Narrator: ...which brings us to this guy. Jimmy Carter was President of the United States when everybody started to notice we were running out of dead dinosaurs. No more gas to run our cars. Fights at the pump. People getting nozzle-whipped. So what was his solution? He made a speech. Jimmy Carter: The energy crisis has not yet overwhelmed us. But it will, if we do not act quickly. Narrator: We didn't. When America finally ran out of gas, an angry mob broke into the White House and lynched him. Along with three or four of his snottier cabinet members. See more » |