The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia (1981)

A small town stud wants to go to Nashville and be a big country star. His ambitious kid sister works as his manager. When they cross paths with a small town sheriff, their dream comes in jeopardy.

Director:

Ron Maxwell (as Ronald F. Maxwell)

Writers:

Bob Bonney (screen story), Bob Bonney (screenplay)

Stars:

Kristy McNichol, Dennis Quaid, Mark Hamill

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kristy McNichol	...	Amanda Child
Dennis Quaid	...	Travis Child
Mark Hamill	...	Conrad
Sunny Johnson	...	Melody
Don Stroud	...	Seth Ames
Arlen Dean Snyder	...	Andy
Barry Corbin	...	Wimbish
Lulu McNichol	...	Boogie Woogie
Royce Clark	...	Luther
Elijah Perry	...	L.C. (as Jerry Rushing)
Jerry Campbell	...	Odie
Maxwell Morrow	...	Bully #1
Bill Gribble	...	Bully #2
Lonnie R. Smith Jr.	...	Bully #3 (as Lonnie Smith)
Elaine Falone	...	Verna

Storyline

Country singer Travis (Dennis Quaid) and his younger sister Amanda (Kristy McNichol) travel to Nashville, Tennessee to find fame as singers. After getting into trouble with the law, Travis is sentenced to work detail at a prison farm. Amanda ends of falling in love with a police officer Conrad (Mark Hamill) who tries to help Travis out.

---

Plot Keywords:

hixploitation | death of brother | bar fight | pickup truck | state trooper | 

---

Taglines:

You're never too young to learn the score.

---

Genres:

Drama | Music

---

Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

Dennis Quaid and Kristy McNichol did their own singing.

---

Quotes

Amanda Child: As a rule I leave the socialising and drinking to Travis and I handle the business part of it.
Conrad: You know, I get the feeling that half of everything you say is bullshit, I just don't know which half.

---

Connections

Referenced in Melrose Place: The Night the Lights Went Out at Melrose (1998)

---

Soundtracks

The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia
Sung by Tanya Tucker
Music & Lyrics by Bobby Russell (as Bobby Russel)

User Reviews

McNichol and Quaid are worth seeing...but nothing else is

Dennis Quaid plays Travis Child a skirt-chasing (yet lovable) guy who is constantly sleeping with married women and getting in trouble with the law. His sister straight arrow Amanda (Kristy McNichol) tries to keep him out of trouble but can't do it. She tries to get policeman Conrad (Mark Hamill) to help her...but has Travis gone too far?

If you've heard the title song you basically know the outcome. This is a dull, totally predictable, by the numbers drama. I was one of the few people who actually paid money to see it in a theatre in 1981. I remember the snickers coming from the audience during the "dramatic" scenes...especially at the ending. The only thing that made this endurable where Quaid and McNichol. They effortlessly give out good performances and make this somewhat interesting. Also McNichol play a singer and she was a good singer so she belts out a few songs. Also, in case any one is interested, Quaid bares his butt in this one. Hamill is just terrible...but it's not entirely his fault. His character is badly underwritten and he's just there to provide a love interest for McNichol.

So...this is pretty bad story-wise but worth catching if you like Quaid or McNichol. Or you can just listen to the song and get virtually the entire movie in three minutes. Pretty much forgotten...and for good reason. I give it a 5.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 June 1981 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia

Filming Locations:

Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$14,923,752

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$14,923,752

Company Credits

Production Co:

Viacom Enterprises

Technical Specs

Runtime:

112 min 110 min (Ontario)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1