If Fletch can go to Provo, I can too
And so off I go this week to Utah for a short work commitment. Provo is one of the sites, of course, of Chevy Chase's adventures in the movie Fletch, easily one of the top 10 comedies of the 80s. I don't expect the town to be nearly as entertaining as the movie.
(Provo is also the site of one of the biggest injustices in college football history: It's the home of Brigham Young University, which "won" the national title back in 1984. Why the scorn? Don't get me started. Suffice to say they didn't beat anyone worth two hoots that season.)
As we continue to compile reader suggestions for our Best Comedies of the 80s list, let me give you my argument that Fletch deserves a spot near the top.
1. It's Chevy Chase's best movie, amid tough competition: Caddyshack, Vacation, Three Amigos, Spies Like Us (well, not so much those last two.)
2. Like so many great movies, it has a horribly disappointing sequel (1989's Fletch Lives).
3. Thanks to a subdued supporting cast, our man Chevy is forced to carry the movie solely on his shoulders -- something he rarely gets to do ... and that's a shame.
4. It probably has more great quotes per minute than about any other top-shelf 80s comedy (possible exception: Caddyshack, which benefits largely from Chase's quotes too.) You want a list, don't you? Don't beg.
Top 5 quotes from Fletch:
5. "Those are three names I enjoy; Marvin, Velma, and Provo."
4. "Does this proposition entail my dressing up as Little Bo Peep?"
3. "Can I borrow your towel for a sec? My car just hit a water buffalo. "
2. Hey! It's all ball bearings nowadays. Now you prepare that Fetzer valve with some 3-in-1 oil and some gauze pads.
1. "You using the whole fist, Doc?"
I know I'm missing some great quotes. Fill in the blanks if you must.
Relive the music, movies and culture of the greatest decade ever with Times online editor Steve Spears. A teen during the decade, Steve is obsessed with everything from Duran Duran to Journey, John Hughes to John Cusack, and parachute pants to Reaganomics.
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hey man dont be made because little Provo Utah has a better football program than you guys do in Tampa Bay
Posted by: orange fan | September 22, 2008 at 06:13 PM
"What kind of name is Poon anyway?""It's Scotch-Romanian.""That's an interesting combination.""So were my parents."
Posted by: Jonathan | July 05, 2006 at 02:57 AM
"I love your body Larry""I'll have a steak sandwich and a steak sandwhich""It's doctor Rosenpenis""Do you have the Beatles' White Album? Never mind, just get me a glass of hot fat. And bring me the head of Alfredo Garcia"And the best Fletch quote that would also make a great name for a band:"That pederast Hanrahan"
Posted by: Skippy | June 26, 2006 at 10:51 AM
There is no question that Fletch is the best comedy of the 1980s... and maybe all-time."Hey, Freddie, how's the herpes?"
Posted by: tim | June 26, 2006 at 09:37 AM
Ack, come ON ... all the VACATION movies are wonderful ... (okay, maybe not Vegas, but Christmas Vacation? "Jooooyyy tooooo the worlllddd!"
Posted by: Anonymous | June 25, 2006 at 05:44 PM
Great movie. That last great one Chevy ever made.
Posted by: Bassnote | June 25, 2006 at 02:48 PM
Yeah, the problem with the BEST Fletch quotes is that they're usually the punchline to someone else's line.
Posted by: Steve Spears | June 25, 2006 at 11:41 AM
"I hate Tommy Lasorda... "(and who can forget, cranky old George Wendt as Fat Sam ..)--chase
Posted by: Anonymous | June 25, 2006 at 11:28 AM