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==Production notes==
==Production notes==
[[File:Shag - Myrtle Beach arrival.jpg|thumb|Scene from the film illustrating the girls' arrival in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The film featured over 50 classic automobiles from the 1940s to the early 1960s.]]
[[File:Shag - Myrtle Beach arrival.jpg|thumb|Scene from the film illustrating the girls' arrival in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The film featured over 50 classic automobiles from the 1940s to the early 1960s.]]
It was filmed between July 9 and September 15, 1987 and released initially in Europe in April 1989. It was not released in the United States until July 21, 1989.


* The movie was filmed between July 9 and September 15, 1987 and released initially in Europe in April 1989. It was not released in the United States until July 21, 1989.
While filmed primarily in [[Wilmington, North Carolina]] and [[Myrtle Beach|Myrtle Beach, South Carolina]], a sequence was filmed at the late Skyview Drive-In located in [[Florence, South Carolina]].


* While filmed primarily in [[Wilmington, North Carolina]] and [[Myrtle Beach|Myrtle Beach, South Carolina]], a sequence was filmed at the late Skyview Drive-In located in [[Florence, South Carolina]] (which operated until it burned down in 2007).
===Anachronisms===

The maroon Cadillac DeVille Convertible driven by Luanne in the film is a 1964 model. As the film takes place during the summer of 1963 shortly after the girls graduated from high school (the Sun Fun Festival takes place in June), the vehicle was not available for sale until September 1963. A modern Coke vending machine is visible at one of the motels on Ocean Boulevard that the girls drive by after arriving in Myrtle Beach.
* The Myrtle Beach Pavilion was not used in the film. A building in [[North Myrtle Beach]] was dressed by the producers as a stand-in.

* The [[Atlantic Beach]] Pavilion, in North Myrtle Beach was used for the final dance contest. Not long after the movie was completed, it burned down.

* The interior set used for the Clatterbug's main home in Spartanburg is the exact same set used for their house in Myrtle Beach. A few small changes were made to make it look different.

* The maroon Cadillac DeVille Convertible driven by Luanne in the film is a 1964 model. As the film takes place during the summer of 1963 shortly after the girls graduated from high school (the Sun Fun Festival takes place in June), the vehicle was not available for sale until September 1963.

* A modern Coke vending machine is visible at one of the motels on Ocean Boulevard that the girls drive by after arriving in Myrtle Beach.


==Home video releases==
==Home video releases==

Revision as of 09:06, 15 July 2013

Shag
Theatrical release poster
Directed byZelda Barron
Written byLanier Laney
Terry Sweeney
Robin Swicord
Produced byJulia Chasman
Stephen Woolley
StarringPhoebe Cates
Bridget Fonda
Annabeth Gish
Page Hannah
CinematographyPeter MacDonald
Edited byLaurence Méry-Clark
Distributed byHemdale Film Corporation
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Release dates
Sweden April 14, 1989
United States July 21, 1989
Running time
98 mins.
Countries United Kingdom
 United States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$6,957,975 (USA)

Shag (also released as Shag: The Movie) is a 1989 comedy film starring Bridget Fonda, Phoebe Cates, Annabeth Gish, Page Hannah, Jeff Yagher and Scott Coffey. The film features Carolina shag dancing and was produced in cooperation with the North Carolina Film Commission. The soundtrack album was on Sire/Warner Bros. Records.

Plot

The film is a lighthearted story of four teenage girlfriends of various temperaments who escape from their parents for a few days in 1963 for an adventure in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina where the big spring festival promises a dance contest, beer blasts and lots of cute boys. Phoebe Cates (Carson) is engaged to a rich but square young man, Bridget Fonda (Melaina) fancies herself as a Hollywood sexpot, Page Hannah (Luanne) wears glasses and is a prim and proper senator's daughter, and Annabeth Gish ("Pudge") has recently lost weight but has always been called "Pudge" and suffers from low self-esteem.

The trip is spurred by the upcoming marriage of Carson. During their busy weekend at Myrtle Beach, the four find romance, dance up a storm, and make serious life decisions. Their story chronicles their last good-bye to girlhood, and entree into womanhood and focuses on both the girls' moral quandaries and their budding sexualities.

Cast

  • Phoebe Cates as Carson McBride, the beautiful socialite who is set to marry a tobacco executive's son
  • Bridget Fonda as Melaina Buller, the promiscuous preacher's daughter with bigger dreams
  • Annabeth Gish as Caroline "Pudge" Carmichael, the formerly overweight, hometown cutie
  • Page Hannah as Luanne Clatterbuck, the uptight senator's daughter
  • Robert Rusler as Buzz Ravenel, the townie boy whose come-ons snare Carson
  • Scott Coffey as Chip Guillyard, a future service member and excellent shagger
  • Tyrone Power, Jr. as Harley Ralston, a tobacco executive's son- as straight-laced as they come
  • Jeff Yagher as Jimmy Valentine, a semi-famous Elvis Presley wanna-be
  • Carrie Hamilton as Nadine, a white-trash townie who is jealous of the girls
  • Leilani Sarelle as Suette

Reception

The film grossed approximately $6.9 million at the US Box Office. It was not a big hit when initially released, and commercially was considered a flop. Despite the film's box office failure, the film received mixed to positive reviews from critics. Rotten Tomatoes reports that, out of 15 critics in total, 64% gave the film a positive review.[1] In recent years it has become something of a cult film to fans of beach music and the Carolina Shag, with a cult-like following.

Roger Ebert, who gave the film 3 stars, praised the actors of the film, calling them "best of the younger generation in Hollywood, and they treat their material with the humor and delicacy it deserves."[2] TV Guide also enjoyed the actors, who called them "uniformly attractive and energetic, and deliver performances that range from likable to delicious."[3] The cast is fascinating for its family ties: Bridget Fonda is the daughter of Peter Fonda and niece of Jane Fonda; Page Hannah is the sister of Daryl Hannah; Tyrone Power Jr. is the son of Tyrone Power; Carrie Hamilton is the daughter of Carol Burnett; and Annabeth Gish is a descendant of silent film stars Dorothy Gish and Lillian Gish.

Shag's East coast beach music was the cause of its cult following.[original research?]

Song Performed by Composed by
"The Shag" Tommy Page Tommy Page & Andy Paley
"Oooo Ahhh" Jacki O Barry White, Jackie Milligan, & Fleming Williams[4]
"Harlem Shuffle" Bob and Earl Earl Nelson & Bob Relf
"Saved" La Vern Baker Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller
"Let Me In" The Sensations Baker, McDaniel, Rodgers
"Easier Said Than Done" The Essex Huff Linton
"What Kind of Fool Do You Think I Am" The Tams Whitley
"Stay" The Voltage Brothers Williams
"Since I Don't Have You" The Skyliners Beaumont, Vogel, Versharen, Lester, Taylor, Rock
"Diddly Daddy" Chris Isaak Bo Diddley & Harvey Fuqua
"Seven Lonely Days" k.d. lang and The Reclines Earl Shuman & Marshall Brown
"39-21-40 Shape" The Showmen Johnson
"Unknown Waltz" W. Warren
"Catfight" Andy Paley Andy Paley
"Ready to Go Steady" The Charmettes Jonzun & Paley
"Shaggin' on the Grand Strand" Hank Ballard Hank Ballard & Andy Paley
"Monkey Time" Major Lance Curtis Mayfield
"Dixie" The Royal Doulton Band Gardner
"Up on the Roof" The Drifters Gerry Goffin (as Goffin)
"Weekend Whirlwind" Ehm's Law Robert Howard Jones & Leslie Ehm
"Under the Boardwalk" The Drifters Arthur Resnick & Kenny Young
"Alley Cat Song" Bent Fabricius-Bjerre Harlen Bjorn
"Oh, What a Night" Nick Kamen Marvin Junior & Johnny Funches
"Every Day I Have to Cry" Ben E. King Arthur Alexander
"I'm in Love Again" Randy Newman Fats Domino & David Bartholomew
"Alley Oop" The Hollywood Argyles Dallas Frazier
"I'm Leaving It All Up to You" La Vern Baker & Ben E. King Harris & Terry
"Sixty Minute Man" The Voltage Brothers Billy Ward
"It Will Stand" The Showmen Johnson
"Stagger Lee" Lloyd Price Lloyd Price & Harold Logan
"Surrender" Louise Goffin Louise Goffin & Domonic King
"Our Day Will Come" k.d. lang and The Reclines Bob Hilliard & Mort Garson
"Blue Hawaii" Leo Robin & Ralph Rainger
"Baby Work Out" Jackie Wilson Alonzo Tucker & Jackie Wilson

Production notes

File:Shag - Myrtle Beach arrival.jpg
Scene from the film illustrating the girls' arrival in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The film featured over 50 classic automobiles from the 1940s to the early 1960s.
  • The movie was filmed between July 9 and September 15, 1987 and released initially in Europe in April 1989. It was not released in the United States until July 21, 1989.
  • The Myrtle Beach Pavilion was not used in the film. A building in North Myrtle Beach was dressed by the producers as a stand-in.
  • The Atlantic Beach Pavilion, in North Myrtle Beach was used for the final dance contest. Not long after the movie was completed, it burned down.
  • The interior set used for the Clatterbug's main home in Spartanburg is the exact same set used for their house in Myrtle Beach. A few small changes were made to make it look different.
  • The maroon Cadillac DeVille Convertible driven by Luanne in the film is a 1964 model. As the film takes place during the summer of 1963 shortly after the girls graduated from high school (the Sun Fun Festival takes place in June), the vehicle was not available for sale until September 1963.
  • A modern Coke vending machine is visible at one of the motels on Ocean Boulevard that the girls drive by after arriving in Myrtle Beach.

Home video releases

The initial VHS home video version (June 3, 1997) contained the music of the theatrical release. However legal copyright infringements led to a second VHS release {January 13, 1998) that features different songs, or no music at all in some scenes compared to the original theatrical release. The 1997 home video version has a box cover almost identical to the theatrical poster; the modified copyright-compliant version has different cover artwork. The DVD release is the copyright compliant version.


References

  1. ^ Shag on Rotten Tomatoes.
  2. ^ Ebert, Roger (July 21, 1989). "Shag". The Chicago Sun Times. rogerebert.com. Retrieved April 16, 2012.
  3. ^ "Shag: Review". TV Guide. Retrieved April 16, 2012.
  4. ^ "Soundtracks for Storytelling (2001) - Ooh Ahh". IMDB. Retrieved March 17, 2013. "Ooh.... Aah" Performed by Jakki O Written by Barry White, Fleming Williams, Jackie Milligan Published by Seven Songs and Me-Benish Music Administered by Schroeder International LLC Used by Permission, International Copyright Secured Courtesy of Original Sound Record Co., Inc. by Arrangement with Celebrity Licensing, Inc.