Tapeheads (1988)

A couple of creative losers accidently become big shots in the video music industry.

Director:

Bill Fishman

Writers:

Bill Fishman (story), Peter McCarthy (story)

Stars:

John Cusack, Tim Robbins, Mary Crosby

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
John Cusack	...	Ivan Alexeev
Tim Robbins	...	Josh Tager
Mary Crosby	...	Samantha Gregory
Clu Gulager	...	Norman Mart
Katy Boyer	...	Belinda Mart
Jessica Walter	...	Kay Mart
Sam Moore	...	Billy Diamond
Junior Walker	...	Lester Diamond
Susan Tyrrell	...	Nikki Morton
Doug McClure	...	Sid Tager
Connie Stevens	...	June Tager
King Cotton	...	Roscoe
Don Cornelius	...	Mo Fuzz
Ebbe Roe Smith	...	Mr. G.
Keith Joe Dick	...	Mr. B.

Storyline

After being fired from their jobs as security guards, Josh and Ivan form Video Aces, a video production company. Using Josh's talent and Ivan's business savvy, they attempt to hit it big in the business while doing projects they want to do. Among those whose paths cross with theirs are Norman Mart, an extremely right-wing presidential candidate; Samantha Gregory, a scheming music reporter; and Mo Fuzz, a producer willing to give them a chance or three if they'll work on spec.

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Plot Keywords:

1980s | roses are red poem | music spoof | generation x | cult film | 

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Taglines:

"Let's get into trouble, baby!"

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Genres:

Comedy | Music

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 October 1988 (USA)

Also Known As:

Tapeheads - Verrückt auf Video

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$343,786

Company Credits

Production Co:

De Laurentiis Entertainment Group (DEG),Front Films,NBC Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

Ultra Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The FBI agent who makes the remark about Dead Kennedys' singer Jello Biafra is played by Biafra himself.

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Quotes

Ivan Alexeev: [to Josh] Negativity festers in you, man!

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Crazy Credits

Roscoe sings: "Yo, friends, check this out! Hold on a minute, Don't leave yet, Roscoe's end credits Are your best bet! ... Now that I've come to The end of my tune, Drop another six bucks And come back soon."

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Alternate Versions

The 1990 UK video was cut by 48 secs by the BBFC to remove all footage of nunchakus and butterfly knives. The 2002 release is uncut.

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Connections

Referenced in Jackie Brown (1997)

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Soundtracks

She's The Lion
Performed by King Cotton & The Bonedaddys
Written by Paul Lacques
Produced and Arranged by Bob Rose

User Reviews

Dryly irreverent...ridiculous...and sometimes very funny

"Tapeheads", a scrappy, intermittently funny spoof of the music video business, might have been the perfect comedic short, and stars John Cusack and Tim Robbins are effortlessly in the swing of the nonsensical chaos involved. They play two semi-savvy security guards in Los Angeles who start their own company, Video Aces, making hilarious videos for groups, parties, and one deathbed star. It's too bad the filmmakers had to invent a dim side-plot to pad the running time (shenanigans involving a crooked politician and his henchmen which doesn't do much except take away from the movie's primary strength, sending-up the music culture of the late-'80s). Still, Cusack and Robbins create a couple of originals here: nerdy but loose, street-smart without being hipsters or posers, these guys are on the same nutty wavelength, and they never put each other down. They're the real thing in buddy-comedies. *1/2 from ****