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Caddyshack

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Caddyshack
Theatrical release poster
Directed byHarold Ramis
Written by
Produced byDouglas Kenney
Starring
CinematographyStevan Larner
Edited byWilliam C. Carruth
Music byJohnny Mandel
Production
company
Distributed byWarner Bros.
Release date
  • July 25, 1980(1980-07-25)
Running time
98 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$4.8–6 million[1][2]
Box office$60 million[1]

Caddyshackis a 1980 Americansportscomedy filmdirected byHarold Ramis,written byBrian Doyle-Murray,Ramis andDouglas Kenney,and starringChevy Chase,Rodney Dangerfield,Ted Knight(his final film role),Michael O'KeefeandBill Murraywith supporting roles bySarah Holcomb,Cindy Morgan,and Doyle-Murray. It tells the story of acaddie,vying for a caddie scholarship, who becomes involved in a feud on the links between one of the country club's founders and anouveau richeguest. A subplot involves a greenskeeper who uses extreme methods against an elusivegopher.

Caddyshackwas Ramis's directorial debut and boosted the career of Dangerfield, who was previously known mostly for hisstand-up comedy.Grossing nearly $40 million at the domestic box office (the17th-highest of the year),[3]it was the first of a series of similar comedies.

The film has a cult following and was described byESPNas "perhaps the funniest sports movie ever made".[4]

A sequel titledCaddyshack II(1988) followed, although only Chase reprised his role; it was panned by critics and abox-office bomb.

Plot

[edit]

High school student Danny Noonan is anxious about his future, while he hopes to go to college to avoid being stuck in amenial jobwith no prospects, he is struggling to financially cover tuition. Danny works as acaddieat the exclusive Bushwoodcountry clubcatering to affluent clientele. Though he usually caddies for Ty Webb, a talented golfer and the free-spiritedplayboyson of the club's co-founder, Danny volunteers to caddie for the arrogant Judge Elihu Smails, the club's other co-founder and director of the caddiecollege scholarship program.Meanwhile, mentally unstablegreenskeeperCarl Spackler is tasked with killing a destructivegopherdriven onto the course by work on the adjacent property development owned by Al Czervik.

The fiery and eccentricnouveau richeCzervik attends the club as a guest, but his antics quickly annoy Smails. After one encounter, Smails angrily throws hisputter,injuring an elderly guest. Danny takes the blame for the incident to earn respect from Smails. At Bushwood's annualFourth of Julybanquet, Danny and his girlfriend Maggie work aswait staff.Danny becomes attracted to Smails's promiscuous niece Lacey Underall who is visiting for the summer; she and Webb begin a brief affair.

Later, Danny wins the Caddie Day golf tournament, earning him an invitation from Smails to attend thechristening ceremonyfor his boat at the nearby Rolling LakesYacht Club.There, Czervik disrupts the ceremony and accidentally destroys the boat, while Lacey seduces Danny and the pair go to Smails' house to have sex. Smails returns home and catches them, furiously chasing Danny out of the house. Expecting to be fired and have the scholarship revoked, Danny is surprised when Smails only demands that he keeps the misadventure a secret in exchange for receiving the scholarship.

Unable to tolerate the uncouth Czervik's presence any longer, Smails announces that Czervik will never be granted membership. Czervik counters that he would never consider being a member and is only interested in buying the club. After an exchange of insults, Czervik proposes a team golf match with Smails and his regular golfing partner Dr. Beeper against Czervik and Webb. Although Webb is reluctant toplay for money,he agrees to join, and antagonizes Smails by saying that Webb's father never liked Smails. Against club rules, they agree to a $20,000 wager on the match, which quickly doubles to $40,000.

During the match the following day, Danny caddies for Smails but becomes frustrated with his constant cheating. Word spreads of the wager drawing a crowd of club members and employees to observe the game. Smails and Beeper take the lead while both Czervik and Webb struggle. Czervik reacts to Smails' heckling by impulsively doubling the wager to $80,000 per team. When his own ricocheting ball strikes his arm, Czervik feigns an injury in hopes of having the contest declared a draw but learns his team will forfeit unless they find asubstitute.Webb selects Danny, which prompts Smails to revoke the scholarship, but after Czervik promises to compensate Danny, he readily agrees to take Czervik's place.

At the final hole, the score is tied. Judge Smails scores abirdie,requiring Danny to complete a difficultputtto draw even. Czervik raises the bet, offering double or nothing on Danny making the putt, which Smails accepts. Danny's putt leaves the ball teetering over the edge of the hole seemingly costing him the game. At that moment, in his latest attempt to kill the gopher, Carl detonatesplastic explosivesthat he has rigged around the golf course, shaking the ground and causing the ball to drop into the hole, handing Danny, Webb, and Czervik victory. Meanwhile, Carl coyly leaves the area after seeing the destruction his explosives have caused. Czervik demands the money from Smails, but he refuses to honor the bet. Figuring this would happen, Czervik sends enforcers after Smails to ensure he pays up. Afterwards, he tells the crowd gathered at the main house that they are all going to get laid. The crowd celebrates.

Elsewhere on the course, the gopher emerges from underground unharmed and dances to the song "I'm Alright"byKenny Loggins.

Cast

[edit]
  • Chevy Chaseas Ty Webb, the son of one of Bushwood Country Club's founders, and owns several lumberyards.
  • Rodney Dangerfieldas Al Czervik, anouveau richegolfer and successful real estate developer.
  • Ted Knightas Elihu Smails, a judge who is one of the founders of Bushwood Country Club and who directs the caddy scholarship program.
  • Michael O'Keefeas Danny Noonan, a teenager who caddies for Ty and works under Lou.
  • Bill Murrayas Carl Spackler, a mentally unstablegreenskeeperat Bushwood Country Club who is charged with the duty of ridding it of the gopher.
  • Sarah Holcombas Maggie O'Hooligan, Danny's girlfriend and coworker.
  • Cindy Morganas Lacey Underall, Elihu Smails's niece.
  • Scott Colombyas Tony D'Annunzio, Danny's co-worker and frenemy.
  • Dan Resinas Dr. Beeper, Elihu Smails's regular golfing partner.
  • Henry Wilcoxonas Fred Pickering, anEpiscopalianbishop and golfing friend of Elihu Smails.
  • Elaine Aiken as Julie Noonan, the mother of Danny.
  • Albert Salmias Roy Noonan, the father of Danny.
  • Ann Ryerson as Grace.
  • Brian Doyle-Murrayas Lou Loomis, the head of Bushwood Country Club's caddy shack that Danny and Maggie work for and the manager of the caddies.
  • Hamilton Mitchell as Motormouth.
  • Peter Berkrotas Angie D'Annunzio, the brother of Tony who is Danny's co-worker.
  • John F. Barmon Jr. as Spaulding Smails, Elihu Smails's grandson.
  • Lois Kibbeeas Mrs. Smails, Elihu Smails's wife.
  • Brian McConnachieas Drew Scott, a friend of Al Czervik who is a member of the Bushwood Country Club.
  • Scott Powellas Gatsby.
  • Jackie Davisas Smoke Porterhouse, a worker at Bushwood Country Club.
  • Thomas A. Carlinas Sandy McFiddish, the Scottish greenskeeper at Bushwood Country Club, and is Carl's direct Boss.
  • Ron Frank as Pat Noonan, the brother of Danny.
  • Patricia Wilcox as Nancy Noonan, the sister of Danny.
  • Debi Frank as Kathleen Noonan, the sister of Danny.
  • Mel Pape as Butler.
  • Dennis McCormack as Dennis Noonan, the younger cousin of Danny.
  • Violet Ramis as a Noonan Child.
  • Tim Lawrence as the puppeteer of Mr. Gopher (uncredited)

Production

[edit]

The film was inspired by writer and co-star Brian Doyle-Murray's memories of working as acaddieat Indian Hill Club inWinnetka, Illinois.His brothers Bill and John Murray (production assistant and a caddy extra) and director Harold Ramis also had worked as caddies when they were teenagers. Many of the characters in the film were based on characters they had encountered through their various experiences at the club, including a young woman upon whom the character of Maggie is based and the Haverkamps, a doddering old couple, John and Ilma, longtime members of the club, who can barely hit the ball out of their shadows. The scene in which Al Czervik hits Judge Smails in the genitals with a struck golf ball happened to Ramis on what he said was the second of his two rounds of golf, on a nine-hole public course.[5]

The film was shot over eleven weeks during the autumn of 1979;Hurricane Davidin early September delayed production. Golf scenes were filmed at the Rolling Hills Golf Club (now the Grande Oaks Golf Club) inDavie, Florida.[6]According to Ramis, Rolling Hills was chosen because the course did not have any palm trees. He wanted the film to feel that it was in theMidwest,not Florida. The explosions that take place during the climax of the film were reported at the nearby Fort Lauderdale airport by an incoming pilot, who suspected that a plane had crashed.[7]The Fourth of July dinner and dancing scene was filmed at theBoca Raton Hotel and ClubinBoca Raton, Florida.

The scene that begins when Ty Webb's golf ball crashes into Carl Spackler's shack was not in the original script. It was added by director Harold Ramis after realizing that two of his biggest stars, Chevy Chase and Bill Murray, did not appear in a scene together. The three met for lunch and wrote the scene. While there were some worries about how Chase and Murray would act around one another, due to their rivalry while working together onSaturday Night Live,the two remained friendly and professional with one another throughout the whole writing and filming of the scene. This is the only film in which Chase and Murray have appeared together.[8]

Murray improvised much of the "Cinderellastory "scene based on two lines of stage direction. Ramis gave him direction to act as a child. Murray hit flowers with a grass whip while fantasizing aloud about winning theMasters Tournament;a major golf tournament.[8]Murray was with the production only six days, and his lines were largely unscripted.[5]Murray was working onSaturday Night Liveat the time, and was not intended to have a large role but his part "mushroomed" and he was repeatedly recalled from New York to film additional scenes as production continued.[9]

Cindy Morgan said that a massage scene with Chevy Chase was improvised, and her reaction to Chase dousing her back with the massage oil, where she exclaimed "You're crazy!" was genuine.[10]A scene in which her character dove into the pool was acted by a professional diver. Before the diver took over, she was led to the diving board by the crew and carefully directed up the ladder since she could not wear her contact lenses near the pool and was legally blind without them.[11]

A deal was made withJohn Dykstra's[8]effects company for visual effects, including lightning, stormy sky effects, flying golf balls and disappearing greens' flags. The gopher was part of the effects package. Dykstra's technicians added hydraulic animation to thepuppet,including ear movement, and built the tunnels through which it moved.

The production became infamous for the amount of drug usage which occurred on-set, with supporting actorPeter Berkrotdescribingcocaineas "the fuel that kept the film running."[12]

Locations

[edit]
  • Noonan house – 232 North Avenue 54, Los Angeles
  • Bushwood gates – West Gate,Bel Air
  • Bushwood Country Club – Rolling Hills Golf Club,Davie, Florida(now Grande Oaks Golf Club)
  • Bushwood pool – Plantation Preserve Golf Course,Plantation, Florida
  • Czervik Condominiums – Century Hill Condominiums, Los Angeles (from Galaxy Way)
  • Rolling Lake Yacht Club – Rusty Pelican restaurant, Miami
  • Smails house – 4531 NE 25th Street, Fort Lauderdale[13][14]

Reception

[edit]

Critical response

[edit]

Caddyshackwas released on July 25,1980,[15]in 656 theaters, and grossed $3.1 million during its opening weekend; it went on to make $39,846,344 inNorth America,[16]and $60 million worldwide.[1]

The film was met with underwhelming reviews in its original release,[17]with criticism towards the disorganized plot, though Dangerfield's, Chase's, and Murray's comic performances were well received.Roger Ebertgave the film two-and-a-half stars out of four and wrote, "Caddyshackfeels more like a movie that was written rather loosely, so that when shooting began there was freedom—too much freedom—for it to wander off in all directions in search of comic inspiration. "[18]Gene Siskelgave the film three out of four stars, saying it was "funny about half of the time it tries to be, which is a pretty good average for a comedy."[19]Dave Kehr,in his review for theChicago Reader,wrote, "The first-time director, Harold Ramis, can't hold it together: the picture lurches from style to style (including some ill-placed whimsy with a gopher puppet) and collapses somewhere between sitcom and sketch farce."[20]Vincent Canbygave it a mixed review inThe New York Times,describing it as "A pleasantly loose-limbed sort of movie with some comic moments, most of them belonging to Mr. Dangerfield."[21]

Nevertheless, the film has gained a cult following in the years after its release and has been positively reappraised by many film critics.[22]Onreview aggregatorRotten Tomatoes,the film holds an approval rating of 72% based on 61 reviews, with an average score of 6.60/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "Though unabashedly crude and juvenile,Caddyshacknevertheless scores with its classic slapstick, unforgettable characters, and endlessly quotable dialogue. "[23]OnMetacritic,the film received a score of 48 based on 12 reviews, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[24]

Christopher Nullgave the film four stars out of five in his 2005 review, and wrote, "They don't make 'em like this anymore… The plot wanders around the golf course and involves a half-dozen elements, but if you simply dig the gopher, the caddy, and the Dangerfield, you're not going to be doing half bad."[25]

Ramis noted in the DVD documentary thatTV Guidehad originally given the film two stars (out of four) when it began showing on cable television in the early 1980s, but over time the rating had gone up to three stars. In 2009, he said, "I can barely watch it. All I see are a bunch of compromises and things that could have been better," such as the poorswingsof everyone, except for O'Keefe.[26]

Denmarkwas the only place outside the United States whereCaddyshackwas initially a hit. The distributor had cut 20 minutes to emphasize Bill Murray's role.[27]

Accolades

[edit]

This film is also second onBravo's"100 Funniest Movies."[28]

The film is recognized byAmerican Film Institutein these lists:

Soundtrack

[edit]
Main article:Caddyshack (soundtrack)

In anticipation of the movie, theKenny Logginssingle"I'm Alright"was released nearly three weeks before the movie opened and became a top ten hit the last week of September 1980.[32]CBS Records also issued a soundtrack toCaddyshacklater that year. It included ten songs, four of which were performed by Kenny Loggins, including "I'm Alright."

Sequel

[edit]

There was a sequel calledCaddyshack II(1988) which performed poorly at the box office and is considered one of the worst sequels of all time.[33]Only Chevy Chase reprised his role.

Books

[edit]

In 2007, Taylor Trade Publishing releasedThe Book of Caddyshack,an illustrated paperback retrospective of the movie, with cast and crew Q&A interviews. The book was written by Scott Martin.[34][better source needed]

In April 2018,Flatiron BookspublishedCaddyshack: The Making of a Hollywood Cinderella Storyby Chris Nashawaty, detailing the making of the film.[35]

Caddyshack restaurants

[edit]

On June 7, 2001, Bill Murray, Brian Doyle-Murray and their brothers opened a themed restaurant inspired by the film at theWorld Golf Village,nearSt. Augustine, Florida.The restaurant is meant to resemble the fictional Bushwood Country Club, and serves primarily American cuisine. The brothers are all active partners and make occasional appearances at the restaurant. Three more Caddyshack restaurants were opened, inMyrtle Beach, South Carolina;Orlando;andPonte Vedra Beach, Florida.These are now closed, leaving the original in St. Augustine their flagship location, open to fans and diners.[36]

Bill Murray and two of his brothers, Andy andJoel,were in attendance when another venue opened inRosemont, Illinois,in April 2018.[37]

[edit]

Many of the film's quotes are part of popular culture, with many fans able to recite the movie line for line[38]and merchandise is still licensed and sold by several companies as of 2024.[39][40]FunkoPop produced several figures in 2019, as well as a set exclusive to Target.[41]

Tiger Woodssaid[42]that he liked the film, and played Spackler in anAmerican Expresscommercial based on the film.[43]

TheUniversity of Minnesotauses part of the film as adance sport ritualfor athletics, encouraging fans at collegiate sports games to "Do the Gopher" and imitate the dancing gopher,[44]referenced because of mascotGoldy Gopher.

In 2016,Bret Baierin aFox Newsinterview asked theDalai Lamawhether he had seen the movie, referencing a scene where the Dalai Lama is mentioned in comical story told by assistant groundkeeper Carl Spackler. The Dalai Lama responded he had not seen the movie, and while he had played badminton, he had never played golf.[45]

A2023 Super Bowlcommercial for alcohol brandMichelobfeatured modern athletes recreating scenes from the film.[46]

References

[edit]
  1. ^abcPETER H. BROWN (January 20, 1985)."WE'RE TALKING GROSS, TACKY AND DUMB".Los Angeles Times.
  2. ^"Caddyshack (1980) - Financial Information".The Numbers.
  3. ^1980 Yearly Box Office Results.ArchivedJuly 15, 2017, at theWayback Machine.Box Office Mojo.Retrieved February 3, 2013.
  4. ^"ESPN - Page2 - Page 2's Top 20 Sports Movies of All-Time".Espn.Archivedfrom the original on April 13, 2019.RetrievedJune 15,2019.Perhaps the funniest sports movie ever made, and 22 years later, it still ranks as definitely the most 'quotable' sports film.
  5. ^abCaddyshack: The Inside StoryArchivedJune 10, 2011, at theWayback Machine,Bio.HD December 13, 2009.
  6. ^Grande Oaks Golf ClubArchivedJanuary 12, 2021, at theWayback Machine.
  7. ^"Caddyshack: Reel Lifefrom "ESPN Page 2"".Espn.go.Archivedfrom the original on August 14, 2016.RetrievedMarch 14,2012.
  8. ^abcMark Canton,Chevy Chase,Scott Colomby, Hamilton Mitchell,Cindy Morgan,Jon Peters,Harold Ramis,Ann Ryerson (1999).Caddyshack: The 19th Hole, Special Feature(DVD).Warner Bros.
  9. ^Chris Nashawaty (August 2, 2010)."Caddyshack".Sports Illustrated.p. 3. Archived fromthe originalon July 31, 2010.
  10. ^KIMBERLY REBMAN (May 7, 2015)."Actress Cindy Morgan: Dancing Gophers, Computer Graphics, and Everything in Between".The AME Magazine.Archivedfrom the original on June 20, 2015.
  11. ^Hinson, Mark (August 7, 2009)."'Caddyshack' siren joins the fun for film school's 20th ".Tallahassee Democrat.p. 14D. Archived fromthe originalon December 18, 2014.RetrievedNovember 8,2013.
  12. ^Sorokach, Josh (April 18, 2018)."'Caddyshack' Was Fueled By Rampant Cocaine Use, New Book Reveals ".Decider.Archivedfrom the original on April 18, 2018.
  13. ^On Location: Caddyshack filming locationsArchivedJanuary 11, 2020, at theWayback Machine.
  14. ^"Filming Locations for Caddyshack (1980), in Florida and Los Angeles".The Worldwide Guide to Movie Locations.RetrievedDecember 29,2023.
  15. ^"Caddyshack".Eugene Register-Guard.(Oregon). (advertisement). July 25, 1980. p. 10A.
  16. ^"Caddyshack (1980)".Box Office Mojo.Archivedfrom the original on February 27, 2020.RetrievedDecember 22,2012.
  17. ^Paseman, Lloyd (August 7, 1980)."Light movie funny, but tasteless".Eugene Register-Guard.(Oregon). (review). p. 5D.
  18. ^Ebert, Roger(January 1, 1980)."Caddyshack".Chicago Sun-Times.Archivedfrom the original on June 25, 2013.RetrievedJuly 13,2009.
  19. ^Siskel, Gene (July 1980)."Caddyshack".Chicago Tribune.Archivedfrom the original on April 11, 2019.RetrievedMay 16,2019.
  20. ^Kehr, Dave."Caddyshack".Chicago Reader.Archivedfrom the original on April 18, 2016.RetrievedJuly 13,2009.
  21. ^Canby, Vincent (July 1980)."Caddyshack".The New York Times.RetrievedMay 16,2019.
  22. ^Tom Hoffarth (February 20, 2007)."'Caddyshack' former hottie in revival mode ".Palm Beach Post.Archived fromthe originalon February 2, 2012.RetrievedFebruary 9,2012.
  23. ^"Caddyshack (1980)".Rotten Tomatoes.Fandango Media.Archivedfrom the original on May 11, 2019.RetrievedJuly 5,2023.
  24. ^"Caddyshack (1980)".Metacritic.RetrievedJanuary 28,2023.
  25. ^[1]ArchivedApril 2, 2015, at theWayback MachineatFilmcritic 's
  26. ^Martin, Brett (July 2009)."Harold Ramis Gets the Last Laugh".GQ:64–67, 124–25.Archivedfrom the original on August 6, 2015.RetrievedJune 22,2009.Like, it bothers me that nobody except Michael O'Keefe can swing a golf club. A movie about golf with the worst bunch of golf swings you've ever seen! It doesn't bother golfers, though.
  27. ^Iben Albinus Sabroe (2008).Jeg vil vinde en Oscar(I Want to Win an Oscar).
  28. ^"Bravo's 100 funniest movies list".Listsofbests. June 2, 2006. Archived fromthe originalon March 2, 2009.RetrievedMarch 14,2012.
  29. ^"AFI's 100 Years...100 Laughs"(PDF).American Film Institute.Archived(PDF)from the original on April 12, 2019.RetrievedAugust 20,2016.
  30. ^"AFI's 100 Years...100 Movie Quotes"(PDF).American Film Institute.Archived(PDF)from the original on April 7, 2019.RetrievedAugust 20,2016.
  31. ^"AFI's 10 Top 10: Top 10 Sports".American Film Institute.Archivedfrom the original on March 8, 2021.RetrievedAugust 20,2016.
  32. ^"Billboard's Hot 100 for the week of 27 Sep 1980".Billboard.Archivedfrom the original on June 22, 2019.RetrievedJuly 27,2019..Retrieved July 27, 2019.
  33. ^Nashawaty, Chris (July 24, 2020)."The Inside Story of Caddyshack II".Sports Illustrated.Archivedfrom the original on July 26, 2020.RetrievedJuly 26,2020.
  34. ^Martin, Scott (2007).The Book of Caddyshack: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About the Greatest Movie Ever Made.ISBN978-1589793583.
  35. ^Ryan, Patrick (April 24, 2018)."'Caddyshack': 5 wild things we learn about the Bill Murray comedy in new tell-all book ".USA Today.Archivedfrom the original on September 20, 2019.RetrievedSeptember 20,2019.
  36. ^"Murray Bros. Caddyshack home page".Murraybroscaddyshack.Archived fromthe originalon November 19, 2012.RetrievedMarch 14,2012.
  37. ^Kindelsperger, Nick (April 17, 2018)."Bill Murray visits his Caddyshack restaurant in Chicago and doesn't disappoint".Chicago Tribune.Archivedfrom the original on April 22, 2018.RetrievedApril 23,2018.
  38. ^Ben Craw and Dan Abramson (May 30, 2010)."All The Best 'Caddyshack' Quotes In One Video: Pick Your Favorite!".The Huffington Post.Archivedfrom the original on October 21, 2020.RetrievedFebruary 9,2012.
  39. ^"Gifts - CaddyShack".ReadyGOLF LLC.RetrievedMay 15,2024.
  40. ^"Caddyshack Movie T-Shirts, Apparel & Accessories | Buy Now".tvstoreonline.RetrievedMay 15,2024.
  41. ^Anderson, Ashley (June 3, 2019)."AVAILABLE NOW: TARGET EXCLUSIVE CADDYSHACK POP! COLLECTORS BOX!".Funko.RetrievedMay 14,2024.
  42. ^"Tiger Woods Talks...To His Twitter Followers".Radar Online. November 30, 2010.Archivedfrom the original on April 3, 2012.RetrievedMarch 14,2012.
  43. ^"Tiger meets gopher".GolfBusinessNews.February 27, 2004.RetrievedMay 15,2024.
  44. ^"Goldy Gopher | Office of Admissions".admissions.tc.umn.edu.RetrievedMay 14,2024.
  45. ^Bret Baier Asks the Dalai Lama If He Has Ever Seen 'Caddyshack'.RetrievedMay 15,2024– via youtube.
  46. ^"Succession's Brian Cox to Serena: Michelob Ultra drops A-list Caddyshack Super Bowl ad".The Drum.RetrievedMay 15,2024.
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