SPIRIT OF '76 (1990 FILM)

'''The Spirit of '76''' is 1990 film that spoofs American culture of the mid-1970s. It is a comedy movie starring David Cassidy, Carl Reiner, Rob Reiner, Olivia d'Abo, Moon Unit Zappa, Tommy Chong, and the rock groups Redd Kross and Devo.

Contents

Synopsis

Cast

Availability

Soundtrack

Trivia

External links

Synopsis

By the year 2176, a magnetic storm has degaussed all recorded history, causing such valuable documents as the U.S. Constitution and the Declaration of Independence to be lost. Three time-travelers (Adam-11, Chanel-6, and Heinz-57) are sent back to July 4, 1776, to retrieve America's heritage, but due to an unnoticed time machine malfunction, end up in 1976 instead, during the United States Bicentennial. While pursuing their mission, the time travelers dress in period costume (e.g., tight bell bottom pants), and experience est, Pop Rocks, disco, long gas lines, the AMC Pacer and even drug paraphernalia shops.
They are in turn pursued by Rodney Snodgrass (Liam O'Brien), a science whiz and UFO buff, who thinks they are aliens, and plans to use them to win the Bicentennial Science Fair prize at his high school. His self-absorbed, disco-dancing brother, Eddie Trojan (Leif Garrett), pursues Chanel-6 for his own pleasure. Both are foiled by two dimwitted but good-hearted teenage friends (Tommy Sears and Chris Johnson), who help the time travelers repair their craft and return to 2176, with their 1970s artifacts and a copy of the Constitution, printed on a shirt which was bought from an est seminar attendee (Barbara Bain).

Cast

(In Order Of Appearance)

★ Mark Mothersbaugh as Chevron-17

★ Gerald V. Casale as Yale-44

★ Carl Reiner as Dr. Von Mobil

★ Nancye Ferguson as Nurse

★ David Cassidy as Adam-11

★ Bob Casale as Ron-29

★ David Kendrick as Ron-31

★ Geoff Hoyle as Heinz-57

★ Olivia d'Abo as Chanel-6

★ Jeff McDonald as Chris Johnson

★ Steven Shane McDonald as Tommy Sears

★ Liam O'Brien as Rodney Snodgrass

★ Ann Block as Chris' Mom

★ Charles Dean as Chris' Dad

★ Martin von Haselberg as Agent 1

★ Brian Routh as Agent 2

★ Leif Garrett as Eddie Trojan

★ Moon Zappa as Cheryl Dickman

★ Maud Winchester as Cyndi the Waitress

★ Lorri Holt as Cop #1

★ Jerry Carlton as Streaker

★ Tommy Chong as Stoner

★ Shelby Chong as Cashier

★ Todd A. Rollé as Clovis

★ Julie Brown as Ms. Liberty

★ Tree as Guard

★ Rob Reiner as Dr. Cash

★ Barbara Bain as Hipster

★ Don Novello as Translator

★ Lucas Reiner as Fireworks Barker

★ Micheal McShane as Angry Driver

★ Morgan Upton as Teacher

★ Ryan Wallace as Chester

★ Lisa Houston as Heckler

★ Leigh French as Voice of the Future

★ Iron Eyes Cody as Himself

Availability

This movie is currently available on DVD. It was previously released on VHS videocassette, but is now out of print in this format. Ironically, the existence of the DVD medium renders the story's premise obsolete.

Soundtrack

The soundtrack album features many songs which were very popular during the period, but are now mostly found on "oldies" stations on present day radio. The songs in the movie included:

★ "Pick Up the Pieces" by Average White Band

★ "Saturday in the Park" by Chicago

★ "Top of the World" by The Carpenters

★ "We're an American Band" by Grand Funk Railroad

★ "Afternoon Delight" by Starland Vocal Band

★ "Love's Theme" by Love Unlimited

★ "Midnight at the Oasis" by Maria Muldaur

★ "Rock the Boat" by Hues Corporation

★ "Legalize It" by Peter Tosh

★ "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" by Blue Öyster Cult

★ "Mission Impossible" by Lalo Schifrin

★ "A 5th of Beethoven" by Walter Murphy

★ "Takin' Care of Business" by Bachman-Turner Overdrive

★ "Speed Racer" by Zavalla-Riss Productions, Inc.

★ "The Hustle" by Van McCoy

★ "Do You Feel Like We Do" by Peter Frampton

★ "Fox on the Run" by Sweet

★ "Love Chant" by Eli's Second Coming

★ "Kung Fu Fighting" by Carl Douglas

★ "Play That Funky Music, (White Boy)" by Wild Cherry

★ "Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo" by Rick Derringer

★ "Turn the Beat Around" by Vicki Sue Robinson

★ "Get Dancin'" by Disco-Tex and the Sex-O-Lettes

★ "Frankenstein" by The Edgar Winter Group

★ "Boogie Fever" by The Sylvers

★ "Disco Inferno" by The Trammps

★ "Saturday Night" by The Bay City Rollers

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★ Also on the album were two songs written for the movie: "Spirit of '76" and "1976," both by Red Kross and both heard during the closing credits.

Trivia

★ The time machine used in the film runs on a chemical called, tetrahydrozaline that is found in Visine eye drops.

External links

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