Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
![]() |
Robin Altman | ... | Red |
Chuck Barris | ... | Self | |
![]() |
Brian O'Mullin | ... | Bum |
![]() |
Jack Bernardi | ... | Violin Player (Elderly Man) |
![]() |
Satisfaction | ... | Singing Group |
![]() |
William Tregoe | ... | Winking Man |
![]() |
Harvey Alpert | ... | Trumpet Man |
Mabel King | ... | Mabel | |
![]() |
Lillie Shelton | ... | Mabel's Mama |
![]() |
James B. Douglas | ... | Buddy Didlo |
Harvey Lembeck | ... | Man in Steam Room | |
Ed Marinaro | ... | Man in Locker Room | |
Murray Langston | ... | The Unknown Comic | |
![]() |
Melvin Presar | ... | Self |
![]() |
Steve Garvey | ... | Self |
A week in the life of "The Gong Show" host and creator Chuck Barris who lives through a series of outrageous competitors, stressful situations, a nervous breakdown and other comical characters involved in his life and work on the TV show. Written by Anonymous
I used to hurry home from school every afternoon in time for The Gong Show, which even my mother would watch instead of whatever soap opera was airing on the other channel. This erratic big screen version of the show captures its anarchic appeal, and whilst the 'story' is less than interesting, the uncensored material from the show itself is priceless. There's also one truly brilliant moment in the framing sequences: toward the end of the film, the cast pursue a harried Chuck to the Sahara Desert and serenade him with a marvelous song called Don't Get Up For Me--one of several songs penned by Barris for the film. It's well past time for the original series to be resurrected on DVD, and it's something of a surprise that this spin-off has been unavailable on home video all these years. A nostalgic treat for those in the 35-55 demographic, The Gong Show Movie may not be high art, but it will certainly leave you laughing.