The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia (1981)

User Rating:

5.2/10   

Director:

Ronald F. Maxwell

Writers:

Bob Bonney (screen story)
Bob Bonney (screenplay)

Release Date:

29 May 1981 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Music

Tagline:

You're never too young to learn the score.

Plot Keywords:

Musician | Long Title | Territory Name In Title | Bar | On The Road

Cast

Kristy McNichol	...	Amanda Child
Dennis Quaid	...	Travis Child
Mark Hamill	...	Conrad
Sunny Johnson	...	Melody
Don Stroud	...	Seth Ames
Arlen Dean Snyder	...	Andy
Barry Corbin	...	Wimbish
Lulu McNichol	...	Boogie Woogie
Royce Clark	...	Luther
Jerry Rushing	...	L.C.
Jerry Campbell	...	Odie
Maxwell Morrow	...	Bully #1
Bill Gribble	...	Bully #2
Lonnie R. Smith	...	Bully #3 (as Lonnie Smith)
Elaine Falone	...	Verna

Runtime:

120 min | Canada:110 min (Ontario)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour (Technicolor)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Canada:PG (Ontario) | Finland:K-16 | Norway:15 | USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA

Company:

Viacom Enterprises

Trivia:

The title was inspired by the 1970s hit song of the same name.

Quotes:

Travis: And I asked the Lord, "Lord, why have you forsaken me?". But there was silence. So , I asked again, "Lord, WHY have you forsaken me?", and there was silence. So I asked again, "LORD, WHY have you forsaken me?"... and this great booming voice said "Geez, I don't know Travis, I guess something about you just chaps at my ass."

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Melrose Place: The Night the Lights Went Out at Melrose (#7.13)" (1998)

Soundtrack:

You Make It Sound So Easy

Up there with the greatest movies ever......based on a song.

`Sex, action, humour, suspense and great songs!' is what the video jacket reads on this 1981 vehicle for McNichol. The first thing I was expecting when I placed the battered old VHS tape into the VCR was Burt Reynolds and Dom DeLuise to show up with Loni Anderson. Well like those films there's bar room brawls, redneck humour and the handsome hero who finds time to chase a quick bit of T & A before they move on. Loosely based on the Reba Mcentire song of the same name, this movie is a bit more tone down than most of the southern redneck comedies of the early 80's, although there's still enough kitsch fun to make it worth the price of rental. Quaid and McNichol are pretty good in their roles and CAN sing, however Mark Hamill's `performance' as Conrad, the deputy who tries the win the heart McNichol has to be seen to be believed. This charming little artefact is worth picking up as a double feature to something like `The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982)' or `Rhinestone (1984)'.