My Bodyguard (1980)

When a boy comes to a new school and gets harassed by a bully, he acquires the services of the school's most feared kid as a bodyguard.

Director:

Tony Bill

Writer:

Alan Ormsby

Stars:

Chris Makepeace, Adam Baldwin, Matt Dillon

1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Chris Makepeace	...	Clifford
Adam Baldwin	...	Linderman
Matt Dillon	...	Moody
Paul Quandt	...	Carson
Hank Salas	...	Mike
Joan Cusack	...	Shelley
Dean R. Miller	...	Hightower
Tim Reyna	...	Koontz
Richard Bradley	...	Dubrow
Denise Baske	...	Leilani
Vicky Nelson	...	Freddy
Tom Rielly	...	Reissman
Paul Charbonneau	...	Allen
Laura Salenger	...	Girl
Bert Hoddinott	...	Burt

Storyline

Clifford Peache is the new kid in Lake View High School. Faced with all the stress that role entails he makes his situation worse by insulting Moody, the leader of a group of toughs who extort lunch money from kids. These punks pretend to be bodyguards for the kids to protect them from Linderman who, it is rumored, killed his brother in cold blood. Clifford befriends the sullen Linderman and hires him as his bodyguard. When Moody ups the ante, Linderman must decide whether fighting for what he believes in, with his haunted past and image, is justified.

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Plot Keywords:

bicycle | juvenile delinquency | bodyguard | blood | high school | 

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Taglines:

Terrorized in the toilets? Chased after school? Shaken down for your lunch money? GET A BODYGUARD!

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Family

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

Feature film debut of Adam Baldwin, Joan Cusack, Jennifer Beals (uncredited), Dean Devlin and Paul Quandt.

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Goofs

During the "turning the tables" scene, as Clifford is telling Moody his services will no longer be needed, Carson is shown standing behind Ricky. In the next cut, he is shown moving from behind the crowd to deliver his line to Moody, then moving behind Ricky.

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Quotes

Clifford Peache: Moody, you're such a bastard!

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Connections

Referenced in Stalker: Pilot (2014)

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Soundtracks

She's a Latin from Manhattan
(uncredited)
Music by Harry Warren
Lyrics by Al Dubin
Sung by Ruth Gordon in the hotel kitchen

User Reviews

True to adolescent life with a tour de force performance by Baldwin

Anyone who has ever been subjected to the ethos of "might makes right" will appreciate the raw truth of this film. The opportunity to trump the bullies with their own "high card" is one that uncounted thousands of decent, peaceable kids fantasize about. The amazing and regrettable thing is that this breathtaking debut performance by Adam Baldwin was not capitalized on by producers or directors. Instead Baldwin was relegated to roles like the sadistic British officer in "The Patriot" which takes advantage of his imposing physical presence but gives him no opportunity to display his unexpected, attractive and profound humanity. Perhaps someday a wise filmmaker will recognize Baldwin's potential and make the most of his abilities.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 September 1980 (USA)

Also Known As:

My Bodyguard

Filming Locations:

Chicago, Illinois, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$178,641, 13 July 1980

Gross USA:

$22,482,952

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$22,482,952

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox, Market Street Productions, Melvin Simon Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1