FLETCH.
best. movie. ever.
seriously, Fletch has it all: Chevy Chase, a damsel in distress, a car chase, non-sequiters, Larry "Flash" Jenkins,
Kareem Abdul Jabbar, the city of Los Angeles, Joe Don Baker, lobster thermadore, and that guy from Cheers. Oh and
ballbearings...it's all ballbearings nowadays.
WHAT'S THE DEAL WITH THIS MOVIE?
Fletch is one of the most
quoted & referenced films of the 80s. But why? It's not the BEST mystery; it's no Usual Suspects. It doesn't
have the best car chase in the world, even by 1985 standards.
There's no nudity, no fight scenes, no big
explosions, and no killer robots. Perhaps it's the simple reason that for 90 minutes Chevy Chase was at his goofy,
smart-alecky best.
REASON #2 -- HUBBA HUBBA
here it is.... reason #2: a damsel in distress; Dana Wheeler-Nicholson.
She's not supermodel-gorgeous. She's not even the greatest actress in the world. But she's a complete hottie who
steals every scene she's in. Do you even remember that Geena Davis is in the movie? Geena who? me neither. I may have
formed an unhealthy attraction to Dana Wheeler-Nicholson in puberty & never really let it go. Mrs. Stanwyk, YOU ROCK.
Thanks for getting me through puberty. Ahem.
REASON #3 -- CAR CHASE
sure, some car chases are vital to the plot. This one isn't. It's part Keystone Kops,
part 3 Stooges, with a dash of NASCAR. It's an excuse for Chevy Chase to spout off funny lines and sarcastic remarks
while police cars crash into each other. Here's what I don't get: his Buick would have been a better car than the
Alfa. It had more horsepower and could have easily outrun ANY police car in LA. And it would have sounded cool.
REASON #4 -- QUOTES
yup. by far the most quoted movie EVER. Why, not a day goes by that someone doesn't say
"mooooon river!" or "look! defenseless babies!" or "7th Fetzer valve" or "Doctor Rosenrosen". Most of this is just
Chevy Chase adlibbing his way through the script. It didn't work so well in Fletch 2 but he nails it
in Fletch. And he's basically playing the same character that he played in Caddy Shack as Ty, and to
some extent, in Modern Problems as Max Fielder. Perhaps actors like Ben Stiller and Will Ferrell owe much
of their current status as comedic leads to Chevy Chase. Just sayin'.
Ask any man to complete the following statement: Can I borrow your towel? my car just hit a ___________. A real man can
finish that statement without even thinking about it. A real Fletch fan will snicker when you mention the name
John Cocktoastin. or Oldsmobuick. or Provo, Utah.
USELESS FLETCH TRIVIA
Test your knowledge! Answers below.
1. In Gregory McDonald's book, Fletch, what is Fat Sam's real name?
2. What is the name of Fletch's ex-wife?
3. Movie question; opening scene: what day is it?
4. What kind of car does Fletch drive? (year, make, and model please!)
5. Who went to get Fletch smelling salts?
6. Where's the records room?
7. During Fletch's 'basketball dream' which team does he play for?
8. What's the number on his jersey?
9. What name is on the back?
10. As a basketball player, how much does Fletch earn per year?
11. How tall is he?
12. How much did Fletch owe in alimony?
13. What's the date and flight number of the plane for Rio?
14. Which cast member guest-starred on TJ Hooker on Oct. 13, 1984?
15. What's the license plate of the Alfa Romeo stolen by the teenager?
16. Where did the manure-spreader 'jack knife'?
17. What's the license plate of the police car that takes Gummy away?
18. At the DSO's "Salute to Fred Dorfman", which post is hosting?
19. How much is a bottle of Dom Perignon (in 1985 dollars)?
20. How is the lobster thermadore?
21. M.Emmett Walsh and William Sanderson appeared together in which 1982 film?
22. Kenneth Mars appeared in which Mel Brooks movie with Gene Wilder?
23. Speaking of Mel Brooks movies, which one featured George Wyner (Gillet)?
24. Extra points for this one: Dana Wheeler-Nicholson (Gail Stanwyk) appeared in which movie with Billy Bob Thornton,
Charlton Heston, Val Kilmer, and Bill Paxton?
25. Is everything a joke to Fletch?
26. Name Fletch's 19 year-old beach-junkie pal.
27. Mystery Science Theatre question:
Which movie starred Joe Don Baker and Linda Evans?
28. Last one....how grey?
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