Chevy Chase: 'Ahahahaha ... I like it!'
Would the '80s have been so cool without Chevy Chase? (That's a rhetorical question, boys.)
There are a handful of flicks from the golden decade that I refuse to turn off when they come on TV, and I'm happy to confess they all have Chevy in them. (I'll also go as far as to say I'll still watch any new movie he appears in, though Zoom really puts me to the test.)
Hopefully he's on the comeback trail with Stay Cool, a movie expected out in 2009 with fellow '80s peers Jon Cryer and Winona Ryder. (Just try to forget that Hillary Duff is also there.)
Chevy turns 65 years old today. Celebrate the day appropriately by renting one of these flicks (and avoiding the ones below this list).
TOP 5 MUST-OWN CHEVY CHASE FLICKS:
5. THE THREE AMIGOS (1986): "Do you have anything here besides Mexican food?"
4. MODERN PROBLEMS (1981): "Ahahahaha ... I like it!"
3. CADDYSHACK (1980): "You're rather attractive for a beautiful girl with a great body."
2. VACATION (1983): "This is crazy! This is crazy! This is crazy!"
1. FLETCH (1985): "Can I borrow your towel for a sec? My car just hit a water buffalo."
TOP 5 PLEASE-SKIP CHEVY CHASE FLICKS:
5. DEAL OF THE CENTURY (1983): Chevy, Sigourney Weaver, Gregory Hines. What wasted talent.
4. MEMOIRS OF AN INVISIBLE MAN (1992): Too bad the script wasn't invisible too.
3. UNDER THE RAINBOW (1981): Bad enough to make you forget all about Carrie Fischer's metal slave bikini.
2. OH HEAVENLY DOG (1980): Chevy Chase ... and Benji.
1. NOTHING BUT TROUBLE (1991): Creepy from start to finish. Who would have guessed that Dan Aykroyd's removable nose would be less unsettling than the acting job by Demi Moore.
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.
E-mail Steve Spears:
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Posted by: elen | July 13, 2009 at 11:59 PM
I loved "Nothing but Trouble." The greatest scene is when they are eating those disgusting weiners and you see Dan Ackroyd's nose morph into a male body part...
Posted by: Deena | October 13, 2008 at 07:54 PM
Too many people, myself included, write off Chevy's career. It's pretty fashionable at this point to do so. But I could add three or four Chevy "musts" to your list - "Foul Play," "Seems Like Old Times" and "Funny Farm" come to mind. And I thought he turned in a genuinely sharp performance in "Christmas Vacation."
Come back, Chevy!
Posted by: Christian Toto | October 10, 2008 at 12:07 AM
I was watching "Funny Farm" last Saturday night while you were watching "Halloween".
I think "Spies Like Us" could deserve a mention here.I would put it in his top 5.
Posted by: Miguel | October 09, 2008 at 11:33 AM
Under The Rainbow never me forget about Carie Fisher in the metal slave girl outfit it made me be in love with her more. Because in one part of the movie her dress get rip off showing her nice pair of legs very nice.
Posted by: Mick | October 09, 2008 at 10:06 AM
I have to disagree with you on the Memoirs Of An Invisible Man. It is a rare turn for Chevy as it is not a comedy and more of an action film of sorts. Directed by John Carpenter and co-starring Sam Neil and Daryl Hannah, this is quite an under-rated flick. It was somewhat panned when it was releaed and didn't do all that well at the box office, but I felt it was one of Chevy's strongest roles. Certainly much more dramatic then he is usually called upon to do. He was able to show a wider range of emotion and evoke sympathy for his situation. You could feel his frustration about being invisible. (Since it was accidental). I am not saying it is a 5-Star spectacular but it is very solidly done with some decent special effects, and some interesting ruminations about the nature of being. Really worth a look see. I saw this 3 or 4 times in the theater when it was out, and since I was working the projection booth by that point in my movie theater career, I was gazing out the portal with the projector monitor turned up watching this one whenever I had a chance.
Posted by: Douglas Arthur | October 09, 2008 at 09:08 AM
Be the Ball, Billy.
Be the Ball
Posted by: Crockett | October 09, 2008 at 08:51 AM
Funny Farm was always one of my faves.
Quote: "He sure loves to run," as the dog takes off into the woods.
Posted by: Morty | October 09, 2008 at 08:20 AM
Oink Oink my good man!
Posted by: Vegasgirlfriend | October 08, 2008 at 08:53 PM
I love Funny Farm. But a top 5 pick? Maybe it comes in at No. 7.
Posted by: Spears | October 08, 2008 at 05:42 PM
Steve,
Has your new meatless lifestyle caused you to turn your back on 'Funny Farm'?
"Call me Mr. Lamb Fries!"
Classic.
Posted by: Jeff in Cuba | October 08, 2008 at 05:16 PM
I wanted to put "Seems Like Old Times" on the list, but I couldn't recall a memorable quote from Chevy during the movie.
But it always makes me crave Chicken Pepperoni.
Posted by: Spears | October 08, 2008 at 05:02 PM
"Fletch" will be coming soon.
Posted by: Spears | October 08, 2008 at 05:01 PM
modern problems is ok, its not his greatest flick. now the i love a parade quote is killing me. i cant remember which movie its from. i wanna say vacation. yes it is vacation. isnt it when hes in the desert. im partial to his singing scene in three amigos. the one where hes playing the guitar, then suddenly, hes goofing on a opera singer. its time for a chevy chase podcast, guys. or at least do one on fletch, vacation, or three amigos.
Posted by: CHAD | October 08, 2008 at 04:54 PM
My personal fave Chevy Chase reference is to sing:
"I-I-I love a parade!"
Can you name the classic?
I've always really liked Chevy Chase, but when I say that my wife just looks at me like I've sprinkled blue cheese on her brownie.
Posted by: Rick | October 08, 2008 at 04:31 PM