Movie Info
Movie Name: Caddyshack
Studio: Orion Pictures
Genre(s): Comedy
Release Date(s): July 25, 1980
MPAA Rating: R
That is one whacky country club!
Danny Noonan (Michael O’Keefe) desperately wants to change his life and not end up working at the lumber mill. His only chance is a scholarship from the Bushwood Country Club where he works as a caddy. This is going to mean schmoozing the club’s biggest contributor Judge Elihu Smails (Ted Knight) and winning the caddy golf contest. Smails is facing problems of his own in a new loudmouth guest member named Al Czervik (Rodney Dangerfield) and the possibility that Ty Webb (Chevy Chase) is golfing better than him. The groundskeeper’s assistant Carl Spackler (Bill Murray) is also at war with a pesky gopher that could destroy the course.
Be the ball!
Caddyshack was directed by Harold Ramis, and became a cult hit. The movie was well-received and often is in the top all-time comedies. Kenny Loggins’ theme song “I’m Alright” also became a big breakout hit and cemented Loggins as the movie theme writer of the ’80s. The movie was followed by a much maligned sequel in 1988 and only had Chevy Chase returning (plus another song by Kenny Loggins).
Caddyshack is a pretty funny movie but it is a little unbalanced. There are jokes in the movie that really fly and there are jokes that kind of bomb. The set was a bit cantankerous with the movie changing during the filming. Originally, it was supposed to be more about the caddies, but the film soon became more about the members (which allegedly upset O’Keefe). Bill Murray and Chevy Chase still were at odds from SNL days. Ted Knight also wasn’t the best adlibber and got frustrated with the others.
Mmmmm Baby Ruth!
The cast works well together, but I have to admit, I think I’d want to kill Rodney Dangerfield also. I never was a fan of Dangerfield’s schikt and his shouting and yelling almost makes me want him to lose to Knight’s uppity character. Chevy Chase of course comes off the best in the movie in his zen demeanor. O’Keefe is good and likable as Danny, but Sarah Holcomb and Cindy Morgan are good but undeveloped as Danny’s girlfriend Maggie O’Hooligan and Judge Smails’ sexpot niece Lacey Underall. Murray steals the show as Spackler though his character really seems way over the top for the plot.
Caddyshack is one of those classics that needs to be seen simply because it is quoted frequently. It is part of the social culture, and I always recommend seeing movies that will help understand other movies. Caddyshack is a must watch. Just remember…be the ball.
