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'''''Body Slam''''' is a 1986 American [[comedy film]] directed by [[Hal Needham]] and starring [[Dirk Benedict]], [[Roddy Piper]], [[Tanya Roberts]], [[Sam Fatu]], and [[Lou Albano|Captain Lou Albano]]. The film revolves around a down-and-out music promoter who inadvertently becomes a successful [[professional wrestling]] [[manager (professional wrestling)|manager]]. After being exiled from the business by a rival manager, he finds success in promoting shows that feature both wrestling and rock music. The film features many well-known wrestlers of the time and references the [[1980s professional wrestling boom|Rock 'n' Wrestling]] era of professional wrestling.
'''''Body Slam''''' is a 1986 American [[comedy film]] directed by [[Hal Needham]] and starring [[Dirk Benedict]], [[Roddy Piper]], [[Tanya Roberts]], [[Sam Fatu]], and [[Lou Albano|Captain Lou Albano]]. The film revolves around a down-and-out music promoter who inadvertently becomes a successful [[professional wrestling]] [[manager (professional wrestling)|manager]]. After being exiled from the business by a rival manager, he finds success in promoting shows that feature both wrestling and rock music. The film features many well-known wrestlers of the time and references the [[1980s professional wrestling boom|Rock 'n' Wrestling]] era of professional wrestling.


Hal Needham had arguments with the pair that produced and wrote the film regarding his changes to the script, resulting in lawsuits that delayed the film's release. As a result, the film was never theatrically released and was instead released [[direct-to-video]].<ref name=Kapur>{{cite web|last=Kapur|first=Bob|title=Body Slam a blast for Benedict|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/Movies/2006/03/06/1475465.html|publisher=Canadian Online Explorer|access-date=1 February 2011}}</ref> It was Needham's final theatrical film.
Hal Needham had arguments with the pair that produced and wrote the film regarding his changes to the script, resulting in lawsuits that delayed the film's release. As a result, the film was never theatrically released and was instead released [[direct-to-video]].<ref name=Kapur>{{cite web|last=Kapur|first=Bob|title=Body Slam a blast for Benedict|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/Movies/2006/03/06/1475465.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130101034643/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/Movies/2006/03/06/1475465.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=January 1, 2013|publisher=Canadian Online Explorer|access-date=1 February 2011}}</ref> It was Needham's final theatrical film.


==Plot==
==Plot==
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==Cast==
==Cast==
* [[Dirk Benedict]] as M. Harry Smilac. He was Needham's first choice for the role based on Benedict's work on the television show ''[[The A-Team]]''. Although Benedict had previously worked with professional wrestler [[Hulk Hogan]] on an episode of ''The A-Team'', Benedict only found out about the [[kayfabe|scripted nature]] of professional wrestling through his work on this film.<ref name=Kapur />
* [[Dirk Benedict]] as M. Harry Smilac. He was Needham's first choice for the role based on Benedict's work on the television show ''[[The A-Team]]''. Although Benedict had previously worked with professional wrestler [[Hulk Hogan]] on an episode of ''The A-Team'', Benedict only found out about the [[kayfabe|scripted nature]] of professional wrestling through his work on this film.<ref name=Kapur />
* [[Roddy Piper]] as Rick "Quick Rick" Roberts. Piper was best known for his work with the [[World Wrestling Federation]]. He would go on to star in other films such as ''[[Hell Comes to Frogtown]]'' and [[John Carpenter]]'s ''[[They Live]]''.<ref name="Piper">{{cite web|title=Roddy Piper Bio|url=http://www.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/piper.html|publisher=Canadian Online Explorer|access-date=1 February 2011}}</ref>
* [[Roddy Piper]] as Quick Rick Roberts. Piper was best known for his work with the [[World Wrestling Federation]]. He would go on to star in other films such as [[John Carpenter]]'s ''[[They Live]]'' and ''[[Hell Comes to Frogtown]]''.
* [[Sam Fatu]] as Tonga Tom. Fatu is a member of wrestling's famed [[Anoaʻi family|Anoa'i family]]. His most well known ring name is The Tonga Kid.<ref name=Tonga>{{cite web
* [[Sam Fatu]] as Tonga Tom. Fatu is a member of wrestling's famed [[Anoaʻi family|Anoa'i family]]. His most well known ring name is The Tonga Kid.<ref name=Tonga>{{cite web
|title=Tama profile|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/t/tama.html|access-date = 1 February 2011}}</ref>
|title=Tama profile|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/t/tama.html|access-date=1 February 2011}}</ref>
* [[Kellie Martin]] as Missy Roberts. Several years after starring in the movie, a 14-year-old Martin mentioned that the film never made it to theaters and called it "kind of a flop."<ref name=Newsday>{{cite news|title=KIDSDAY TALKING WITH" KELLIE MARTIN|newspaper=Newsday|date=September 23, 1990}}</ref>
* [[Kellie Martin]] as Missy Roberts. Several years after starring in the movie, a 14-year-old Martin mentioned that the film never made it to theaters and called it "kind of a flop."<ref name=Newsday>{{cite news|title=KIDSDAY TALKING WITH" KELLIE MARTIN|newspaper=Newsday|date=September 23, 1990}}</ref>
* [[Tanya Roberts]] as Candace Vandervagen
* [[Tanya Roberts]] as Candace Vandervagen
* [[Captain Lou Albano]] as Captain Lou Murano. Albano was already a well-known wrestling manager and veteran of the wrestling business when he played the role in the film.<ref name="Albano">{{cite web|last=Mosorjak|first=Greg|authorlink=Count Grog|title=Albano book surprisingly coherent and factual|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2009/05/26/pf-9649851.html|publisher=Canadian Online Explorer|access-date=2 February 2011}}</ref>
* [[Captain Lou Albano]] as Captain Lou Murano, mostly based on Albano's own manager persona in the professional wrestling business.<ref name="Albano">{{cite web|last=Mosorjak|first=Greg|authorlink=Count Grog|title=Albano book surprisingly coherent and factual|url=https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2009/06/02/albano-book-surprisingly-coherent-and-factual/|website=slamwrestling.net|date=2 June 2009}}</ref> Albano would also follow his appearance in this film with a successful secondary career as a character actor.
* [[Afa Anoaʻi|Afa Anoa'i]] and [[Sika Anoaʻi|Sika Anoa'i]] as The Samoans. Like Fatu, both are members of the Anoa'i family. The two star as [[bodyguard]]s in the film in non-speaking roles. However, they also had successful real life wrestling careers as the tag team The Wild Samoans, with Lou Albano as their manager. The duo was inducted into the [[WWE Hall of Fame]] in 2007.<ref name="HOF">{{cite web|title=WWE Hall of Fame: The Wild Samoans|url=http://www.wwe.com/superstars/halloffame/inductees/wildsamoans/bio/|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|access-date=1 February 2011}}</ref><ref name=Kapur />
* [[Afa Anoaʻi|Afa Anoa'i]] and [[Sika Anoaʻi|Sika Anoa'i]] as The Samoans. Like Fatu, both are members of the Anoa'i family. The two star as [[bodyguard]]s in the film in non-speaking roles. However, they also had successful real life wrestling careers as the tag team The Wild Samoans, with Lou Albano as their manager. The duo was inducted into the [[WWE Hall of Fame]] in 2007.<ref name="HOF">{{cite web|title=WWE Hall of Fame: The Wild Samoans|url=http://www.wwe.com/superstars/halloffame/inductees/wildsamoans/bio/|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|access-date=1 February 2011}}</ref><ref name=Kapur />
* [[The Barbarian (wrestler)|Sione Vailahi]] and [[Teijo Khan|Thomas Leroy Kasat]] as "Axe" and "Hammer" The Cannibals. Both were professional wrestlers, and infrequently teamed for [[Jim Crockett Promotions]] [[house show]]s in 1986.<ref>[http://wrestlingdata.com/index.php?befehl=konst&letter1=B&wrestler1=1816&letter2=T&anzeige=team&wrestler2=11599 Matches fought as a team by Teijo Khan and The Barbarian, from Wrestlingdata.com]</ref> Vailahi is best known for his work in [[World Wrestling Entertainment|World Wrestling Federation]] and [[World Championship Wrestling]] as The Barbarian.<ref name=Barbarian>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/b/barbarian.html|title=The Barbarian profile|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|access-date=1 February 2011}}</ref><ref name=Kahn>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/t/teijo-kahn.html|title=Teijo Kahn profile|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|access-date=1 February 2011}}</ref> The duo [[worked shoot|staged]] a real fight with Piper and Fatu during the filming of the movie's final match so the crowd of [[extra (actor)|extras]] would take them seriously.<ref name=Kapur />
* [[The Barbarian (wrestler)|Sione Vailahi]] and [[Teijo Khan|Thomas Leroy Kasat]] as "Axe" and "Hammer" The Cannibals. Both were professional wrestlers, and infrequently teamed for [[Jim Crockett Promotions]] [[house show]]s in 1986.<ref>[http://wrestlingdata.com/index.php?befehl=konst&letter1=B&wrestler1=1816&letter2=T&anzeige=team&wrestler2=11599 Matches fought as a team by Teijo Khan and The Barbarian, from Wrestlingdata.com]</ref> Vailahi is best known for his work in [[World Wrestling Entertainment|World Wrestling Federation]] and [[World Championship Wrestling]] as The Barbarian.<ref name=Barbarian>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/b/barbarian.html|title=The Barbarian profile|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|access-date=1 February 2011}}</ref><ref name=Kahn>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/t/teijo-kahn.html|title=Teijo Kahn profile|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|access-date=1 February 2011}}</ref> The duo [[worked shoot|staged]] a real fight with Piper and Fatu during the filming of the movie's final match so the crowd of [[extra (actor)|extras]] would take them seriously.<ref name=Kapur />
* [[Sydney Lassick]] as Shapiro, Harry's lawyer
* [[Charles Nelson Reilly]] as Vic Carson. Reilly had previously starred in another Hal Needham film, ''[[Cannonball Run II]]''.<ref name=Ebert>{{cite web|last=Ebert|first=Roger|title=Cannonball Run II Review|url=http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19840101/REVIEWS/401010320/1023&template=printart|publisher=Chicago Sun-Times|access-date=2 February 2011}}</ref>
* [[Charles Nelson Reilly]] as Vic Carson. Reilly had previously starred in another Hal Needham film, ''[[Cannonball Run II]]''.<ref name=Ebert>{{cite web|last=Ebert|first=Roger|title=Cannonball Run II Review|url=http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19840101/REVIEWS/401010320/1023&template=printart|publisher=Chicago Sun-Times|access-date=2 February 2011}}</ref>
* [[Billy Barty]] as Tim McClusky
* [[Billy Barty]] as Tim McClusky, a [[heel (professional wrestling)|heel]] wrestling manager
⚫
* [[John Astin]] as Scotty, The Car Dealer
* [[John Fujioka]] as Mr. Kim
* [[John Astin]] as Scotty, a car dealer
⚫
* [[John Fujioka]] as Mr. Kim, a loan shark
* [[Chick Hearn]] as himself, the guest announcer for the final match
* Wrestling personalities [[Ric Flair]], [[Freddie Blassie]], [[Adnan Al-Kaissie]], [[Bruno Sammartino]] and [[Alexis Smirnoff]] appear in cameos as audience members during the film's final match.<ref name=Kapur />
* Wrestling personalities [[Ric Flair]], [[Freddie Blassie]], [[Adnan Al-Kaissie]], [[Bruno Sammartino]] and [[Alexis Smirnoff]] appear in cameos as audience members during the film's final match.<ref name=Kapur />


==Production and release==
==Production and Release==
In an interview with [[Canadian Online Explorer]], Dirk Benedict recounts positive experiences working on the film. However, both he and director Hal Needham clashed with the two lawyers credited with writing and producing the film over changes to the script and Needham's creative choices. At one point, Benedict had a physical altercation with one of the writers/producers. These conflicts led to lawsuits being filed, which caused the film to miss the entire summer movie season.<ref name=Kapur /> Later, the film was slated to be released by [[Hemdale Film Corporation]] in November 1986.<ref name=FilmJournal>{{cite journal|journal=The Film Journal|title=The Film Journal|year=1986|volume=89|issue=7–12|pages=56}}</ref> The film never saw wide theatrical release and was instead released directly to [[VHS]].<ref name=Kapur /> On March 15, 2011, ''Body Slam'' was brought to DVD as part of the MGM Limited Edition Collection series.
In an interview with [[Canadian Online Explorer]], Dirk Benedict recounts positive experiences working on the film. However, both he and director Hal Needham clashed with the two lawyers credited with writing and producing the film over changes to the script and Needham's creative choices. At one point, Benedict had a physical altercation with one of the writers/producers. These conflicts led to lawsuits being filed, which caused the film to miss the entire summer movie season.<ref name=Kapur /> Later, the film was slated to be released by [[Hemdale Film Corporation]] in November 1986.<ref name=FilmJournal>{{cite journal|journal=The Film Journal|title=The Film Journal|year=1986|volume=89|issue=7–12|pages=56}}</ref> The film never saw wide theatrical release and was instead released directly to [[VHS]].<ref name=Kapur />
On March 15, 2011, ''Body Slam'' was brought to DVD as part of the MGM Limited Edition Collection series.
On June 15, 2021, distributor Kino Lorber released Body Slam on Blu-Ray.


==Reception==
==Reception==
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==External links==
==External links==
* {{imdb title|id=0092684|title=Body Slam}}
* {{IMDb title|id=0092684|title=Body Slam}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes|1002836_body_slam}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes|1002836_body_slam}}
* {{Citation | url = http://www.whenwrestlersact.com/2014/08/episode-01-body-slam-1986-dir-hal.html | title = Body Slam review on the When Wrestlers Act podcast | access-date = 2014-08-25 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140826120950/http://www.whenwrestlersact.com/2014/08/episode-01-body-slam-1986-dir-hal.html | archive-date = 2014-08-26 | url-status = dead }}
* {{Citation | url = http://www.whenwrestlersact.com/2014/08/episode-01-body-slam-1986-dir-hal.html | title = Body Slam review on the When Wrestlers Act podcast | access-date = 2014-08-25 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140826120950/http://www.whenwrestlersact.com/2014/08/episode-01-body-slam-1986-dir-hal.html | archive-date = 2014-08-26 | url-status = dead }}
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[[Category:Orion Pictures films]]
[[Category:Orion Pictures films]]
[[Category:American comedy films]]
[[Category:American comedy films]]
⚫
[[Category:American films]]
[[Category:Films directed by Hal Needham]]
[[Category:Films directed by Hal Needham]]
[[Category:1980s English-language films]]
⚫
[[Category:1980s American films]]
[[Category:American wrestling films]]

Latest revision as of 19:40, 26 July 2024

Body Slam
Directed byHal Needham
Produced byMike Curb
Shel Lytton
StarringDirk Benedict
Roddy Piper
Tanya Roberts
Sam Fatu
Lou Albano
Production
company
Distributed byHemdale Film Corporation
Release date
  • September 10, 1986 (1986-09-10)
Running time
89 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Body Slam is a 1986 American comedy film directed by Hal Needham and starring Dirk Benedict, Roddy Piper, Tanya Roberts, Sam Fatu, and Captain Lou Albano. The film revolves around a down-and-out music promoter who inadvertently becomes a successful professional wrestling manager. After being exiled from the business by a rival manager, he finds success in promoting shows that feature both wrestling and rock music. The film features many well-known wrestlers of the time and references the Rock 'n' Wrestling era of professional wrestling.

Hal Needham had arguments with the pair that produced and wrote the film regarding his changes to the script, resulting in lawsuits that delayed the film's release. As a result, the film was never theatrically released and was instead released direct-to-video.[1] It was Needham's final theatrical film.

Plot

[edit]

M. Harry Smilac (Dirk Benedict), once a successful music promoter, is having a hard time attracting talent and booking gigs for his sole client, the rock band Kick. Behind on his car payments and owing a large amount to a banker, he reluctantly accepts a job finding musical acts for the fundraiser of an unpopular politician. Although not entirely happy with his new gig, Smilac finds a love interest in Candace Vandervagen (Tanya Roberts), the daughter of the politician's wealthy campaign booster.

While making arrangements for the fundraiser, Smilac mistakes pro wrestler "Quick" Rick Roberts (Roddy Piper) for a musician and hires him. Having zero luck as a music manager, Smilac decides to stick with his hunch about Roberts and become a pro wrestling manager, booking matches for Roberts and his teammate Tonga Tom (Sam Fatu). The team is a success but politics come into play when Smilac clashes with Rick's former manager, the villainous Captain Lou Murano (Lou Albano). A day after a disastrous fundraiser featuring Smilac's rock band, Murano and his tag team champions The Cannibals (Sione Vailahi and Tom Cassett) injure Harry and his wrestlers in a nationally televised bout, before blacklisting them from every major arena in the country.

Recovering from their injuries and on the fringes of both the music and wrestling industries, Harry decides to take his wrestlers and his band on a cross country road tour of small arenas. Initially he promotes separate wrestling and rock shows, but a scheduling mix-up at a venue causes him to promote a single event featuring both music and wrestling. The show is well received and Smilac schedules an entire tour using the same "Rock n' Wrestling" format. Their tour is a huge success, which angers Captain Lou Murano. On a televised appearance, Harry challenges Captain Lou's Cannibals to a match for the World Tag Team Championships on behalf of his wrestlers Rick Roberts and Tonga Tom. After a hard fought match, Rick and Tom have beaten the Cannibals to win the title belts and become the new champions.

Cast

[edit]

Production and Release

[edit]

In an interview with Canadian Online Explorer, Dirk Benedict recounts positive experiences working on the film. However, both he and director Hal Needham clashed with the two lawyers credited with writing and producing the film over changes to the script and Needham's creative choices. At one point, Benedict had a physical altercation with one of the writers/producers. These conflicts led to lawsuits being filed, which caused the film to miss the entire summer movie season.[1] Later, the film was slated to be released by Hemdale Film Corporation in November 1986.[10] The film never saw wide theatrical release and was instead released directly to VHS.[1] On March 15, 2011, Body Slam was brought to DVD as part of the MGM Limited Edition Collection series. On June 15, 2021, distributor Kino Lorber released Body Slam on Blu-Ray.

Reception

[edit]

The film was met with mixed reviews. TV Guide rated it at two stars, describing it as a "raucous action comedy with a certain (admittedly dubious) historical appeal."[11] Mick Martin and Marsha Porter also gave it two stars, calling the film "silly" but saying that it had "a lot of heart."[12] Leonard Maltin gave the film two-and-a-half stars, calling Dirk Benedict's performance "charming" and lamenting that the film was not widely released, saying that it "deserved better."[13] Variety gave the film a positive review, calling it a "pleasant surprise" and "genuinely funny." They praised Dirk Benedict's performance and called the film a "solid comeback" for director Hal Needham.[14]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g Kapur, Bob. "Body Slam a blast for Benedict". Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on January 1, 2013. Retrieved 1 February 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  2. ^ "Tama profile". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 1 February 2011.
  3. ^ "KIDSDAY TALKING WITH" KELLIE MARTIN". Newsday. September 23, 1990.
  4. ^ Mosorjak, Greg (2 June 2009). "Albano book surprisingly coherent and factual". slamwrestling.net.
  5. ^ "WWE Hall of Fame: The Wild Samoans". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 1 February 2011.
  6. ^ Matches fought as a team by Teijo Khan and The Barbarian, from Wrestlingdata.com
  7. ^ "The Barbarian profile". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 1 February 2011.
  8. ^ "Teijo Kahn profile". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 1 February 2011.
  9. ^ Ebert, Roger. "Cannonball Run II Review". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved 2 February 2011.
  10. ^ "The Film Journal". The Film Journal. 89 (7–12): 56. 1986.
  11. ^ "TV Guide". TV Guide. 37 (9–12): 200. 1989.
  12. ^ Video movie guide 2002. Ballantine. 2002. p. 129. ISBN 0-345-42100-0.
  13. ^ Maltin, Leonard (2008). Leonard Maltin's 2009 Movie Guide. pp. 157. ISBN 978-0-452-28978-9.
  14. ^ Variety Film Reviews 1987-1988. Bowker. 1991. ISBN 0-8352-2667-0.
[edit]
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