Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

DonaldsRump

(7,715 posts)
Mon Aug 5, 2019, 11:35 PM Aug 2019

Caddyshack

Sorry if I posted this in the wrong place as a "classic film."

My family is away for a couple of weeks, and I thought I would attend to things that have been neglected. Once the main work is done, I thought I would also watch a few movies I've never seen before.

I am watching Caddyshack, and I honestly don't find it funny at all. I love Rodney Dangerfield, Ted Knight, and Bill Murray and can sometimes stand Chevy Chase. But, why is this considered a great movie?

When I compare it to the other Saturday Night Live-featured performers movie that came out the same year (ie, The Blues Brothers), there is no comparison. The Blues Brothers is so much better.

Different strokes for different folks, I guess, but can someone tell me why Caddyshack was considered great? I haven't yet cracked a smile and I'm in the last quarter of the movie.

7 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Caddyshack (Original Post) DonaldsRump Aug 2019 OP
Bill Murray RainCaster Aug 2019 #1
A friend bought a Beta recorder safeinOhio Aug 2019 #2
Cannabis helps but it's a choppy film story-wise. There some great behind the scenes stuff on why TeamPooka Aug 2019 #3
It is one of my favorites. Chipper Chat Aug 2019 #4
Thanks all! DonaldsRump Aug 2019 #5
It's an old friend you like to catch up with every few years (SPOILERS) Auggie Aug 2019 #6
I loved it except for the stupid gopher bif Aug 2019 #7

RainCaster

(10,877 posts)
1. Bill Murray
Mon Aug 5, 2019, 11:41 PM
Aug 2019

How he destroys the golf course in the final scene was excellent. However, I also loved the crash scenes in Blues Brothers, and that had the superior soundtrack.

safeinOhio

(32,683 posts)
2. A friend bought a Beta recorder
Tue Aug 6, 2019, 12:19 AM
Aug 2019

back in the 80s. Everyone else had VCRs and wanted to compare. He only had one movie, so I must have seen it a 100 times.

Chipper Chat

(9,679 posts)
4. It is one of my favorites.
Tue Aug 6, 2019, 02:29 AM
Aug 2019

I liked the interaction of the balanced cast. Ted knight, dangerfield, the caddies and their girls, Murray's, etc. Classic scenes: the water ballet to the Blue Danube, the fisherman who s boat is about to be run over, and of course the funniest line of all: "that must be the tea"

DonaldsRump

(7,715 posts)
5. Thanks all!
Tue Aug 6, 2019, 11:01 AM
Aug 2019

I'll give Caddyshack another look. I trust the folks at DU and their sensibilities!

I didn't see The Blues Brothers when it first came out, but got to love it a decade later and still today. It's a weird wonderful movie that's insanely funny. However, I guess if I first saw it when it came out, I might not have gotten it as much as I get it now. It grows and grows on you.

Auggie

(31,171 posts)
6. It's an old friend you like to catch up with every few years (SPOILERS)
Tue Aug 6, 2019, 12:02 PM
Aug 2019

I think it can best be described as a cult film with some memorable scenes performed by an ensemble cast of top 70's comedians -- cutting-edge with a sort of like "independent small-film vibe" much like Animal House a few years before.

Danny Noonan’s storyline drags, but it's needed for Chase, Murray, Knight and Dangerfield to shine. These are the guys we want to see. We watched Chase and Murray rise to stardom on SNL. Dangerfield's appearances on The Tonight Show were already legendary.

Caddyshack is about the classic battle between rich and poor, a credit that is often overlooked. Isn’t it wonderful how big money, conservatism, bigotry and hypocrisy get metaphorically blown to bits by Carl, the Assistant Greenskeeper? Don’t we love it when Smails get his comeuppance at the hands of Moose and Rocko?

There's even a happy ending -- everyone gets laid!

bif

(22,703 posts)
7. I loved it except for the stupid gopher
Thu Aug 8, 2019, 05:02 PM
Aug 2019

Bill Murray's performance was nothing short of brilliant. You're right about different strokes. I thought Ghostbusters was one of the dumbest moves I've ever seen. Never even chuckled when viewing it.

Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»Classic Films»Caddyshack