The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh: Difference between revisions

The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh
The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh
Directed by	Gilbert Moses
Screenplay by	Jaison Starkes; Edmond Stevens
Story by	David Dashev; Gary Stromberg
Produced by	David Dashev; Gary Stromberg
Starring	Julius Erving; Jonathan Winters; Meadowlark Lemon; Jack Kehoe; Kareem Abdul-Jabbar; Margaret Avery; James Bond III; Michael V. Gazzo; Peter Isacksen; Nicholas Pryor; M. Emmet Walsh; Stockard Channing; Flip Wilson
Cinematography	Frank Stanley
Edited by	Frank Mazzola; Peter Zinner
Music by	Thom Bell
Production; company	Lorimar Productions
Distributed by	United Artists
Release date	November 6, 1979;
Running time	102 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

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The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh is a 1979 American sports/fantasy comedy film directed by Gilbert Moses and coproduced by David Dashev and Gary Stromberg. It was produced by Lorimar and distributed by United Artists.

The film was shot on location in Pittsburgh and at Pittsburgh's Civic Arena, as well as in suburban Moon Township, Pennsylvania.

The film has attracted a cult following, most notably for its disco-inspired setting and soundtrack, as well as the appearances of many NBA stars (including lead actor Julius Erving) and early roles for Debbie Allen, Stockard Channing and Harry Shearer. The film also contains a cameo by longtime Pittsburgh mayor Richard Caliguiri.

Plot

The Pittsburgh Pythons are a struggling professional basketball team whose continuous losing streak and lack of talent has made them the laughing stock of the city. Several players ask to be traded to other teams because of the bad publicity and the presence of difficult but highly paid star player Moses Guthrie.

Believing that the team needs a miracle, ballboy Tyrone Millman turns to astrology to improve the team's fortunes. He brings his idea to astrologer Mona Mondieu, and they devise the perfect concept: a team composed entirely of players born under Guthrie's astrological sign of Pisces. The team is reborn as the Pittsburgh Pisces.

Although Tyrone's sister and Guthrie think that the idea is absurd, they ultimately embrace the concept. The plan succeeds because of the new team's eccentric skills, teamwork and Mona's astrological readings, culminating in a championship opportunity.

Cast

Julius Erving as Moses Guthrie
Jonathan Winters as H.S. and Harvey Tilson
Meadowlark Lemon as Rev. Grady Jackson
Jack Kehoe as Setshot
Margaret Avery as Toby Millman
James Bond III as Tyrone Millman
Michael V. Gazzo as Harry the Trainer
Peter Isacksen as Driftwood
Dwayne Mooney as Benny Rae
Daryl Mooney as Kenny Rae
Nicholas Pryor as George Brockington
M. Emmet Walsh as Wally Cantrell
Stockard Channing as Mona Mondieu
Flip Wilson as Coach 'Jock' Delaney
Debbie Allen as Ola
Dee Dee Bridgewater as Brandy
Julius Carry as Malik Jamal Truth
Jerry Chambers as Lucian Tucker
Jessie Lawrence Ferguson as Jackhammer Washington
Malek Abdul Mansour as Bullet Haines
Richard Foronjy as Mike
Clayton Hill as Security Guard
Eric Mercury as Rudy and League Commissioner
Branscombe Richmond as Winston Running Hawk
Joe Seneca as Mr. Sweets
Harry Shearer as Murray Sports

As themselves

Marv Albert
Chick Hearn
The Sylvers
The Spinners (as Deacon Smith and featured Singers)
Gene Steratore, Sr. as Referee

Basketball teams

Los Angeles:

Jerry Tarkanian as coach (also the film's consultant)
Ron Carter
Connie Hawkins
Lou Hudson
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Luther Rackley
Norm Nixon

New York:

Boston:

Detroit:

Production

Singer/actress Cher was originally cast as Mona Mondieu, but she withdrew at the last minute. Singer/actress Dee Dee Bridgewater, who plays Brandy, previously won a Tony Award for her role as Glinda in The Wiz on Broadway also under the direction of Gilbert Moses, whom she later married.

The Spinners recorded two songs for the film.^[1] Actress/choreographer Debbie Allen and athlete Norm Nixon, who married in 1984, both appear in the film.

Despite popular belief, Julius Erving's character's name of Moses was not chosen in reference to teammate Moses Malone, as Erving and Malone would not become teammates until four years later.^[2]

Novelization

A novelization written by Richard Woodley, based upon an early draft of the screenplay by Jaison Starkes and Edmond Stevens, was released in 1979. The novel differs in several respects from the film. In the film, the Pisces win every game, but in the novel, the team loses twice. The novel describes a group of people in wheelchairs causing havoc at a Pisces game, a scene that appears in the film's preview trailer but not in the final release.

Home media

In 2010, Warner Home Video released the film on DVD and digital download as part of its Warner Archive Collection.^[3]

In addition, the film is also made available for streaming online on Plex, The Roku Channel, and Tubi.

References

^ Billboard - Nov 10, 1979 Vol. 91, No. 45 "The Spinners recently reteamed with producer Thorn Bell to do two songs for his upcoming film score to "The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh." The group sings "Do It Cause No One Does It Better," a mid-tempo tune which may be a single, and ."
^ "Today in Philly Sports History: The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh, 1979". 6 January 2009.
^ "The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh" (Warner Archive Collection)

External links

[1] Billboard - Nov 10, 1979 Vol. 91, No. 45 "The Spinners recently reteamed with producer Thorn Bell to do two songs for his upcoming film score to "The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh." The group sings "Do It Cause No One Does It Better," a mid-tempo tune which may be a single, and ."

[2] "Today in Philly Sports History: The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh, 1979". 6 January 2009.

[3] "The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh" (Warner Archive Collection)

[1]

[2]

[3]

@@ Line 5: / Line 5: @@
 | caption        =
 | director       = [[Gilbert Moses]]
-| writer         = David Dashev (story)<br />Gary Stromberg (story)<br />Jaison Starkes<br />Edmond Stevens
+| screenplay     = Jaison Starkes<br />Edmond Stevens
-| producer       = David Dashev<br />Don Phillips<br />Gary Stromberg
+| story          = David Dashev<br />Gary Stromberg
+| producer       = David Dashev<br />Gary Stromberg
 | starring       = [[Julius Erving]]<br />[[Jonathan Winters]]<br />[[Meadowlark Lemon]]<br />[[Jack Kehoe]]<br>[[Kareem Abdul-Jabbar]]<br>[[Margaret Avery]]<br>James Bond III<br>[[Michael V. Gazzo]]<br>Peter Isacksen<br>[[Nicholas Pryor]]<br>[[M. Emmet Walsh]]<br>[[Stockard Channing]]<br>[[Flip Wilson]]
 | cinematography = [[Frank Stanley (cinematographer)|Frank Stanley]]
@@ Line 17: / Line 18: @@
 | country        = [[United States]]
 | language       = English
 | gross          =
 }}
@@ Line 24: / Line 25: @@
 The film was shot on location in [[Pittsburgh]] and at Pittsburgh's [[Civic Arena (Pittsburgh)|Civic Arena]], as well as in suburban [[Moon Township, Pennsylvania]].
-The film has attracted a cult following, most notably for its disco-inspired setting and soundtrack, as well as the appearances of many NBA stars (including lead actor [[Julius Erving]]) and early roles for [[Debbie Allen]], [[Stockard Channing]] and [[Harry Shearer]].  The film also contains a [[Cameo appearance|cameo]] by longtime Pittsburgh mayor [[Richard Caliguiri]].
+The film has attracted a cult following, most notably for its disco-inspired setting and soundtrack, as well as the appearances of many NBA stars (including lead actor [[Julius Erving]]) and early roles for [[Debbie Allen]], [[Stockard Channing]] and [[Harry Shearer]]. The film also contains a [[Cameo appearance|cameo]] by longtime Pittsburgh mayor [[Richard Caliguiri]].
 ==Plot==
+The [[Pittsburgh]] Pythons are a struggling professional [[basketball]] team whose continuous losing streak and lack of talent has made them the laughing stock of the city. Several players ask to be traded to other teams because of the bad publicity and the presence of difficult but highly paid star player Moses Guthrie.
+Believing that the team needs a miracle, ballboy Tyrone Millman turns to [[astrology]] to improve the team's fortunes. He brings his idea to astrologer Mona Mondieu, and they devise the perfect concept: a team composed entirely of players born under Guthrie's astrological sign of [[Pisces (astrology)|Pisces]]. The team is reborn as the Pittsburgh Pisces.
-The [[Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania|Pittsburgh]] Pythons are a struggling professional [[basketball]] team whose continuous losing streak and lack of talent has made them the laughing stock of the city. Several players ask to be traded to other teams because of the bad publicity and the presence of difficult but highly paid star player Moses Guthrie.
+Although Tyrone's sister and Guthrie think that the idea is absurd, they ultimately embrace the concept. The plan succeeds because of the new team's eccentric skills, teamwork and Mona's astrological readings, culminating in a championship opportunity.
-Believing that the team needs a miracle, ballboy Tyrone Millman turns to astrology to improve the team's fortunes. He brings his idea to astrologer Mona Mondieu, and they devise the perfect concept: a team composed entirely of players born under Guthrie's astrological sign of [[Pisces (astrology)|Pisces]]. The team is reborn as the Pittsburgh Pisces.
-Although Tyrone's sister and Guthrie think that the idea is absurd, they ultimately embrace the concept.  The plan succeeds because of the new team's eccentric skills, teamwork and Mona's astrological readings, culminating in a championship opportunity.
-==Production==
-Singer/actress [[Cher]] was originally cast as Mona Mondieu, but she withdrew at the last minute. Singer/actress [[Dee Dee Bridgewater]], who plays Brandy, previously won a [[Tony Awards|Tony Award]] for her role as Glinda in ''[[The Wiz]]'' on [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] also under the direction of [[Gilbert Moses]], whom she later married.
-[[The Spinners (American R&B group)|The Spinners]] recorded two songs for the film.<ref>Billboard - Nov 10, 1979 Vol. 91, No. 45 "The Spinners recently reteamed with producer Thorn Bell to do two songs for his upcoming film score to "The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh." The group sings "Do It Cause No One Does It Better," a mid-tempo tune which may be a single, and ."</ref> Actress/choreographer [[Debbie Allen]] and athlete [[Norm Nixon]], who married in 1984, both appear in the film.
-Despite popular belief, Julius Erving's character's name of Moses was not chosen in reference to teammate [[Moses Malone]], as Erving and Malone would not become teammates until four years later.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/philadelphia/today-philly-sports-history-fish-saved-pittsburgh-1979|title=Today in Philly Sports History: The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh, 1979}}</ref>
-==Novelization==
-A [[novelization]] written by [[Richard Woolley (filmmaker)|Richard Woodley]], based upon an early draft of the screenplay by Jaison Starkes and Edmond Stevens, was released in 1979. The novel differs in several respects from the film. In the film, the Pisces win every game, but in the novel, the team loses twice. The novel describes a group of people in wheelchairs causing havoc at a Pisces game, a scene that appears in the film's preview trailer but not in the final release.
-==Home video==
-In 2010, [[Warner Bros. Home Video]] released the film on DVD and digital download as part of its [[Warner Archive Collection]].<ref>[http://www.wbshop.com/Fish-that-Saved-Pittsburgh-The/1000180063,default,pd.html?cgid= "The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh"] (Warner Archive Collection)</ref>
 ==Cast==
 {{div col|colwidth=30em}}
-*[[Julius Erving]] - Moses Guthrie
+* [[Julius Erving]] as Moses Guthrie
-*[[Jonathan Winters]] - H.S. and Harvey Tilson
+* [[Jonathan Winters]] as H.S. and Harvey Tilson
-*[[Meadowlark Lemon]] - Rev. Grady Jackson
+* [[Meadowlark Lemon]] as Rev. Grady Jackson
-*[[Jack Kehoe]] - Setshot
+* [[Jack Kehoe]] as Setshot
-*[[Margaret Avery]] - Toby Millman
+* [[Margaret Avery]] as Toby Millman
-*James Bond III - Tyrone Millman
+* [[James Bond III]] as Tyrone Millman
-*[[Michael V. Gazzo]] - Harry the Trainer
+* [[Michael V. Gazzo]] as Harry the Trainer
-*Peter Isacksen - Driftwood
+* Peter Isacksen as Driftwood
-*Dwayne Mooney - Benny Rae
+* Dwayne Mooney as Benny Rae
-*Daryl Mooney - Kenny Rae
+* Daryl Mooney as Kenny Rae
-*[[Nicholas Pryor]] - George Brockington
+* [[Nicholas Pryor]] as George Brockington
-*[[M. Emmet Walsh]] - Wally Cantrell
+* [[M. Emmet Walsh]] as Wally Cantrell
-*[[Stockard Channing]] - Mona Mondieu
+* [[Stockard Channing]] as Mona Mondieu
-*[[Flip Wilson]] - Coach 'Jock' Delaney
+* [[Flip Wilson]] as Coach 'Jock' Delaney
-*[[Debbie Allen]] - Ola
+* [[Debbie Allen]] as Ola
-*[[Dee Dee Bridgewater]] - Brandy
+* [[Dee Dee Bridgewater]] as Brandy
-*[[Julius Carry]] - Malik Jamal Truth
+* [[Julius Carry]] as Malik Jamal Truth
-*[[Jerry Chambers]] - Lucian Tucker
+* [[Jerry Chambers]] as Lucian Tucker
-*[[Jessie Lawrence Ferguson]] - Jackhammer Washington
+* [[Jessie Lawrence Ferguson]] as Jackhammer Washington
-*Malek Abdul Mansour - Bullet Haines
+* Malek Abdul Mansour as Bullet Haines
-*[[Richard Foronjy]] - Mike
+* [[Richard Foronjy]] as Mike
-*[[Clayton Hill]] - Security Guard
+* [[Clayton Hill (actor)|Clayton Hill]] as Security Guard
-*[[Eric Mercury]] - Rudy and League Commissioner
+* [[Eric Mercury]] as Rudy and League Commissioner
-*[[Branscombe Richmond]] - Winston Running Hawk
+* [[Branscombe Richmond]] as Winston Running Hawk
-*[[Joe Seneca]] - Mr. Sweets
+* [[Joe Seneca]] as Mr. Sweets
-*[[Harry Shearer]] - Murray Sports
+* [[Harry Shearer]] as Murray Sports
 ===As themselves===
-*[[Marv Albert]]
+* [[Marv Albert]]
-*[[Chick Hearn]]
+* [[Chick Hearn]]
-*[[The Sylvers]]
+* [[The Sylvers]]
-*[[The Spinners (American band)|The Spinners]] (As Deacon Smith and featured Singers)
+* [[The Spinners (American group)|The Spinners]] (as Deacon Smith and featured Singers)
+* Gene Steratore, Sr. as Referee
 {{div col end}}
@@ Line 86: / Line 74: @@
 {{div col|colwidth=30em}}
 Los Angeles:
-*[[Jerry Tarkanian]] - coach (also the film's consultant)
+* [[Jerry Tarkanian]] as coach (also the film's consultant)
-*[[Ron Carter (basketball)|Ron Carter]]
+* [[Ron Carter (basketball)|Ron Carter]]
-*[[Connie Hawkins]]
+* [[Connie Hawkins]]
-*[[Lou Hudson]]
+* [[Lou Hudson]]
-*[[Kareem Abdul-Jabbar]]
+* [[Kareem Abdul-Jabbar]]
-*[[Luther Rackley]]
+* [[Luther Rackley]]
-*[[Norm Nixon]]
+* [[Norm Nixon]]
 New York:
-*[[Butch Beard|Alfred Beard Jr.]]
+* [[Butch Beard|Alfred Beard Jr.]]
-*[[Luther "Ticky" Burden]]
+* [[Luther "Ticky" Burden]]
-*[[Spencer Haywood]]
+* [[Spencer Haywood]]
-*[[Lonnie Shelton]]
+* [[Lonnie Shelton]]
-*[[Mychal Thompson]]
+* [[Mychal Thompson]]
 Boston:
-*[[John Williamson (basketball, born 1951)|John Williamson]]
+* [[John Williamson (basketball, born 1951)|John Williamson]]
-*[[Don Chaney|Donald Chaney]]
+* [[Don Chaney|Donald Chaney]]
-*[[Cedric Maxwell|Cedric "Cornbread" Maxwell]]
+* [[Cedric Maxwell|Cedric "Cornbread" Maxwell]]
-*[[Kevin Stacom]]
+* [[Kevin Stacom]]
-*[[Curtis Rowe]]
+* [[Curtis Rowe]]
 Detroit:
-*[[Leon Douglas]]
+* [[Leon Douglas]]
-*[[Chris Ford|Christopher J. Ford]]
+* [[Chris Ford|Christopher J. Ford]]
-*[[Bob Lanier]]
+* [[Bob Lanier]]
-*[[John Shumate]]
+* [[John Shumate]]
-*[[Eric Money]]
+* [[Eric Money]]
-*[[Kevin Porter (basketball)|Kevin Porter]]
+* [[Kevin Porter (basketball, born 1950)|Kevin Porter]]
 {{div col end}}
+==Production==
+Singer/actress [[Cher]] was originally cast as Mona Mondieu, but she withdrew at the last minute. Singer/actress [[Dee Dee Bridgewater]], who plays Brandy, previously won a [[Tony Awards|Tony Award]] for her role as Glinda in ''[[The Wiz]]'' on [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] also under the direction of [[Gilbert Moses]], whom she later married.
+[[The Spinners (American group)|The Spinners]] recorded two songs for the film.<ref>Billboard - Nov 10, 1979 Vol. 91, No. 45 "The Spinners recently reteamed with producer Thorn Bell to do two songs for his upcoming film score to "The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh." The group sings "Do It Cause No One Does It Better," a mid-tempo tune which may be a single, and ."</ref> Actress/choreographer [[Debbie Allen]] and athlete [[Norm Nixon]], who married in 1984, both appear in the film.
+Despite popular belief, Julius Erving's character's name of Moses was not chosen in reference to teammate [[Moses Malone]], as Erving and Malone would not become teammates until four years later.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/philadelphia/today-philly-sports-history-fish-saved-pittsburgh-1979|title=Today in Philly Sports History: The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh, 1979|date=6 January 2009 }}</ref>
+==Novelization==
+A [[novelization]] written by [[Richard Woolley (filmmaker)|Richard Woodley]], based upon an early draft of the screenplay by Jaison Starkes and Edmond Stevens, was released in 1979. The novel differs in several respects from the film. In the film, the Pisces win every game, but in the novel, the team loses twice. The novel describes a group of people in [[wheelchair]]s causing havoc at a Pisces game, a scene that appears in the film's preview trailer but not in the final release.
+==Home media==
+In 2010, [[Warner Home Video]] released the film on DVD and digital download as part of its [[Warner Archive Collection]].<ref>[http://www.wbshop.com/Fish-that-Saved-Pittsburgh-The/1000180063,default,pd.html?cgid= "The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh"] (Warner Archive Collection)</ref>
+In addition, the film is also made available for streaming online on [[Plex, Inc.|Plex]], [[The Roku Channel]], and [[Tubi]].
+==See also==
+* [[List of basketball films]]
 ==References==
@@ Line 119: / Line 125: @@
 ==External links==
 * {{IMDb title|id=0079154|title=The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh}}
-* {{tcmdb title|75020|The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh}}
+* {{TCMDb title|75020|The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh}}
+* {{AFI film|56767}}
 * {{Rotten Tomatoes|fish_that_saved_pittsburgh}}
-* [http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/features/2001/movies/reviews/fish_pittsburgh/ Frank Deford review for Sports Illustrated]
+* [https://archive.today/20130119102228/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/features/2001/movies/reviews/fish_pittsburgh/ Frank Deford review for Sports Illustrated]
 * [http://thefishthatsavedpittsburgh.com/ Unofficial Website - TheFishThatSavedPittsburgh.com]
@@ Line 139: / Line 146: @@
 [[Category:1970s American films]]
 [[Category:Films about astrology]]
+[[Category:English-language fantasy comedy films]]
+[[Category:English-language sports comedy films]]