Saturday, May 31, 2008

Americathon (1979): Another crapass film that time forgot

Taking place in the future (1998!) Americathon stars the late John Ritter as President Chet Roosevelt and the recently deceased Harvey Korman as pill-popping actor Monty Rushmore (top right corner). Approved by Congress (which now meets in a rented condo in Marina del Rey), they all conspire to stage a national telethon to pay off America's total bankruptcy. In fact the country is so broke, gasoline no longer exists--millions of people just live in their cars, wear Nike sweat suits, and commute by either running or biking. Notable appearances in this farce include Meatloaf as a car-slaying daredevil, Elvis Costello as the Earl of Manchester and Dorothy Stratten as a stage girl.

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