Roller Boogie (1979)

Skaters band together to keep their roller-disco open.

Director:

Mark L. Lester

Writers:

Barry Schneider (screenplay), Irwin Yablans (story)

Stars:

Linda Blair, Jim Bray, Beverly Garland

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Linda Blair	...	Terry Barkley
Jim Bray	...	Bobby James
Beverly Garland	...	Lillian Barkley
Roger Perry	...	Roger Barkley
James Van Patten	...	Hoppy (as Jimmy Van Patten)
Kimberly Beck	...	Lana
Sean McClory	...	Jammer Delany
Mark Goddard	...	Thatcher
Albert Insinnia	...	Gordo
Stoney Jackson	...	Phones
M.G. Kelly	...	D.J.
Christopher S. Nelson	...	Franklin (as Chris Nelson)
Patrick Wright	...	Sgt. Danner
Dorothy Meyer	...	Ada
Shelley Golden	...	Mrs. Potter

Storyline

Beyond ensuring that she makes it into Julliard as a flautist for the upcoming fall term, wealthy Lillian and Roger Barkley largely neglect their teenaged daughter, Terry Barkley. Although Terry doesn't try to hide the facts from them, her parents have no idea that she hates the flute and the associated music, has no desire to attend Julliard, and spends all her time on the proverbial wrong side of the tracks with her friend Lana roller skating on the Venice Beach boardwalk with the legions of other roller skaters. There, she attracts the attention of Bobby James, the hotshot skater who rightly believes he is headed to the next Olympics. Terry initially rebuffs Bobby's advances, until she asks him to teach her how to dance so that they can compete in the upcoming roller boogie contest at Jammer's, the local skating rink owned by Jammer Delaney, a former roller derby star. Terry and Bobby's relationship eventually becomes more than just about skating. But the roller boogie contest and ...

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Plot Keywords:

roller disco | roller skating | roller skates | teensploitation | psychotronic film | 

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Taglines:

It's love on wheels!

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Genres:

Drama | Music

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

Linda Blair had 2 stunt doubles. She also did quite a bit of skating, and developed bursitis in her hip.

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Goofs

Near the beginning of the movie, a maid goes upstairs at Terry's house, passing Terry on her way down to meet her parents for breakfast. When Terry arrives, the maid is serving her parents at the dining table.

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Quotes

Terry Barkley: [to the breast-grabbing Franklin] I swear, you've got more hands than a poker game!

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Connections

Referenced in RuPaul's Drag Race: Scream Queens (2014)

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Soundtracks

All for One, One for All
by Mavis (as Aller)/Bob Esty (as Esty)
Special guest performance by Mavis (as Mavis Vegas Davis)

User Reviews

"Look, you're not some bimbo from the boardwalk. Are you sure you wanna do it?"

Rich girl (Linda Blair), whose parents just don't understand her love of roller skating, falls for a goofy-looking dude from the wrong side of the tracks. Roller skating dramatics ensue. Made from cheese, this tired relic of the disco era is impossible to take seriously today. It's objectively terrible in every way but one -- unintentional humor. There's a lot to make fun of and laugh at here. The premise alone is laughably absurd. It's by-the-numbers predictable if you've seen pretty much any movie ever. Cherub-faced Linda Blair was growing up (and out) and was anxious for everybody to notice, so director Mark Lester gives her curves plenty of attention. But she's overshadowed by her boobtacular gal pal Kimberly Beck, who's practically overflowing from every top she wears. Professional roller skater Jim Bray plays the male lead in his only movie. He's a pretty bad actor but he's a groovy skater. Vets Beverly Garland and Mark Goddard do little to help things. It's a crappy movie but it is good for some yuks. Oh, and if you're a fan of short shorts, you should check this out. But be warned -- not everyone who is wearing shorts in this should be.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 December 1979 (USA)

Also Known As:

Roller Boogie

Filming Locations:

23 Windward Avenue, Venice, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$767,854, 25 December 1979

Gross USA:

$13,253,715

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$13,253,715

Company Credits

Production Co:

Compass International Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1