Before there was Xanadu (1980), before there was Dirty Dancing (1987), there was Roller Boogie. Terry Barkley (Blair) is dissatisfied with her home life in Beverly Hills. She spends most of her time on the boardwalk in Venice Beach skating. Her parents and friends don't understand this obsession, which leads to friction at home. While down there she meets Bobby James (Jim Bray), skater extrodinaire, and boy from the wrong side of the tracks, and they start to form a friendship. When the friction at home becomes unbearable, she gets in her Excalibur and runs away. Of course she heads to the beach and parks outside Bobby's apartment. The next morning she engages him to teach her to dance on skates in hopes of winning the big boogie contest at Jammers skating rink. Unbeknownst to the skating community, Jammers is about to be forcibly closed down by a group of mobsters who are developing the area. When Terry and Bobby overhear the plot they set about trying to do something about it.
This fluffy film is certainly not in the league of Dirty Dancing, or perhaps, even Xanadu, but both those films feature story lines or plot points that appear here first - rich girl meets boy from the wrong side of the tracks who teaches her to dance, and roller skating boy saves landmark and old-timer from decay and death. The film is pure cheese, and is clearly designed to make a fast buck, but it has some interesting links to the future. Dov Charney's American Apparel became obsessed with the film recently and played it in their stores. It's easy to see why. The film looks like the store was the main source for the costumes - short shorts (on both girls and boys), leotards, metallic duffels, tights and skin tight tees abound. Look for Beverly Garland as Terry's mom.
This film has developed something of a cult following and can be found on DVD. The trailer for it is above, uploaded to YouTube by deadenddrivein.
Obscurity factor: 2 (has cult following, available on DVD, somewhat unknown to the uninitiated)
What's rather sad, is that professional skater Jim Bray, gave up his career to perform in the film. Once he was paid for this performance, he could never skate in competition again. I found some footage of him on Don Lane's Australian TV talk show, at the time, and he discusses acting in three other films - that never happened...
I did some Googling. Not much out there - I did find a current picture of him, and a mention that he golfs a lot. One blog poster said that he ran a hotel for a while, but I imagine that they were confusing him with his co-star, the late Beverly Garland, who owned a Holiday Inn for decades, in the Valley.
I think that the face of the woman holding the torch in the Columbia Pictures logo looks just like Beverly Garland. They have changed the image over the years, but I am referring to the one that they have been using for the past 20 years or so.
The Beverly Garland Hotel is now known as the Universal Studios Hollywood Hotel (still a Holiday Inn). It's rather basic, but it was Garland's full-time career, later in life. I came across it (after seeing a story on "Entertainment Tonight" 20 years ago) while conducting one of my regular LA pilgrimages - a stop by the Brady Bunch house, which is just blocks away, in Studio City.
I stayed at that hotel many times. The bar wasn't much special but they had a sultry photograph of Ms Garland holding a cigarette having an improbable-looking length of ash. She used to come in for dinner in the restaurant one evening a week. There was one channel on the television in the rooms that continuously showed a documentary about her career and life.
I saw that interview on the Don Lane show and I've always wondered what the heck happened to him?? Its almost as if he just disappeared off into the sunset...this guy seemed to have everything going for him then ...whatever came his way, I hope that life has treated him kindly...
Christmas movie!!!! Love on wheels!!! Cher!!!!
ReplyDeleteIMDb states: The only film-acting role for skating legend Jim Bray, who played the lead of Bobby James.
Somehow, I missed this while in high school.....
It's worth a look, if only for the cultural references... some good eye candy too, both male and female.
ReplyDeleteWhat's rather sad, is that professional skater Jim Bray, gave up his career to perform in the film. Once he was paid for this performance, he could never skate in competition again. I found some footage of him on Don Lane's Australian TV talk show, at the time, and he discusses acting in three other films - that never happened...
ReplyDeleteWell, that is kinda sad... Though once you turn pro there are exhibitions and stuff. I wonder what he ended up doing.
ReplyDeleteI did some Googling. Not much out there - I did find a current picture of him, and a mention that he golfs a lot. One blog poster said that he ran a hotel for a while, but I imagine that they were confusing him with his co-star, the late Beverly Garland, who owned a Holiday Inn for decades, in the Valley.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like he lives a private life now. Love that Beverly Garland owned a Holiday Inn...
ReplyDeleteI think that the face of the woman holding the torch in the Columbia Pictures logo looks just like Beverly Garland. They have changed the image over the years, but I am referring to the one that they have been using for the past 20 years or so.
ReplyDeleteThe Beverly Garland Hotel is now known as the Universal Studios Hollywood Hotel (still a Holiday Inn). It's rather basic, but it was Garland's full-time career, later in life. I came across it (after seeing a story on "Entertainment Tonight" 20 years ago) while conducting one of my regular LA pilgrimages - a stop by the Brady Bunch house, which is just blocks away, in Studio City.
ReplyDeleteI stayed at that hotel many times. The bar wasn't much special but they had a sultry photograph of Ms Garland holding a cigarette having an improbable-looking length of ash. She used to come in for dinner in the restaurant one evening a week. There was one channel on the television in the rooms that continuously showed a documentary about her career and life.
DeleteIt sounds like the perfect place to stay if you're making a pilgrimage to the Brady Bunch house...
ReplyDeleteI saw that interview on the Don Lane show and I've always wondered what the heck happened to him?? Its almost as if he just disappeared off into the sunset...this guy seemed to have everything going for him then ...whatever came his way, I hope that life has treated him kindly...
ReplyDeleteOne of my most favorite movies of all time. I am now 43 yo and still watch this movie. Can't say enough good things about Roller Boogie!!!!
ReplyDeleteJust watched it now on "this tv" I liked it. Never knew it existed.
ReplyDeleteYeah, it's kinda like the forgotten stepchild of Saturday Night Fever and Thank God It's Friday.
ReplyDelete