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Review: ‘Caddyshack’ Scores A Double BogeyBy DAVE CAMPBELLRegister Staff WriterBeneath a grinning photo of Rodney Dangerfield, an ad for the new movie “Caddyshack” reads as follows:The person pictured above is:(A) A world famous opera singer;(B) Bo Derek’s younger sister;(C) Having his nails buffed;(D) Starring in a hilarious new movie.After viewing the picture, it be-. comes obvious a fifth answer has been omitted:(E) None of the above.‘‘Hilarious” is a definite misnomerfor Orion Pictures' “Caddyshack,” a silly, sometimes tedious attempt at slapstick brought to you by the head writer of “Saturday Night Live,” Brian Doyle-Murray,It is the latest in a series of pseudocomedies which have beset the nation's movie screens in recent months, a new genre which will be termed here as the “disposable comedy.Just like 19-cent razors, plastic cigarette lighters and paper diapers, the “disposable comedy” is designed to be consumed and thrown away like so much garbage, but not until the theater ticket taker has claimed the $4.50 from unwary victims.The main ingredient is a setting (a summer camp in “Meatballs,” a school military in “Up The Academy” or a golf course in “Caddyshack”).Toss in a “Saturday Night Live” character or two, tell the actors which way the camera is pointing and give the instruction, “now try and do something funny.”The result, as in “Caddyshack,” is an event which occupies nearly two hours of your time, but leaves you with nothing you’re likely to remember past the parking lot. Hence, the “disposable comedy.”“Caddyshack” revolves around three basic plotlines, which meander and intermingle so much as to render understanding impossible:— Bill Murray is “Carl,” a slovenly assistant greenskeeper whose function is to rid the posh Bushwood Country Club of gophers.— Ted Knight is Judge Smails, pompous and proper president of the club, who is bedeviled by a garish boor, played by Rodney Dangerfield.— Michael O’Keefe portrays caddy Danny Noonan, who hopes to earn Judge Smails’ college scholarship by impressing the Knight character.Weaving his way through all three storylines is Chevy Chase, Bush-wood’s resident playboy and golf trick-shot ace.Of the four big-name comedians, only Dangerfield stands out. He is perfectly typecast as the obnoxious construction mogul A1 Czervik, who spews fairways full of invectives and one-liners, and even manages one “I don’t get no respect.”Knight brings a “Ted Baxterish” character to his “Caddyshack” role, and one expects Mary and Lou to appear on the links at any moment.Of the “SNL” alumni, Murray has always had a knack for playing an unshaven slob, and he is convincing as the crusader against gophers. But Chase is an enigma. He seems almost too casual in his role as Ty Webb, and tends to get lost in the shuffle.But don’t blame Chevy for that. It’s easy to get lost in the shuffle when there is no sense of direction.The basic premise is to cram as many worn-out sight gags, sexual innuendos and gross behavior into an hour and a half, and justify it all by claiming you’re “trying to appeal to a younger audience.”Is this the fare young people crave? Perhaps producers of “disposable comedies” should check the bankrolls amassed by “Airplane!” to realize where a little imagination can lead.Score a double bogey for “Caddyshack.”“Caddyshack,” rated R for nudity and strong language, opens today in Orange County.
Newspaper Details
Santa Ana Orange County Register Evening
Santa Ana, California, US
Fri, Jul 25, 1980
Page 55
Full Page
Clipped by
Rotten T.
USA 28 Jul 2020
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