Corvette Summer (1978)

User Rating:

4.7/10   

Director:

Matthew Robbins

Writers:

Hal Barwood (writer)
Matthew Robbins (writer)

Release Date:

2 June 1978 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Comedy

Tagline:

And he thought fast cars were a thrill...

Plot:

Ken (Mark Hamill) is a high school student who dreams of driving Corvettes. His passion leads him to a perfect job as a Corvette mechanic...

Plot Keywords:

Shop Teacher | Van | Teen Angst | Love | Quirky

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe.

Cast

Mark Hamill	...	Kenneth W. Dantley, Jr.
Annie Potts	...	Vanessa
Eugene Roche	...	Ed McGrath
William Bryant	...	Plainclothes Police Lecturer
Richard McKenzie	...	Principal Bacon
Kim Milford	...	Wayne Lowry
Philip Bruns	...	Gil
Danny Bonaduce	...	Kootz
Albert Insinnia	...	Ricci
Jane A. Johnston	...	Mrs. Dantley
Stanley Kamel	...	Las Vegas Con Man
Clifford A. Pellow	...	Older John, Rosalind's Admirer (as Cliff Pellow)
Jason Ronard	...	Wayne's Chain Wielding Henchman
Brion James	...	Wayne's Carwash Henchman
Morgan Upton	...	New Owner of Vanessa's Van
Jonathan Terry	...	Van Nuys Policeman (as Jon Terry)
Isaac Ruiz	...	Tico (as Isaac Ruiz Jr.)
Dick Miller	...	Mr. Lucky
William Pierson	...	Gas Station Salesman
Richard Altman	...	Teacher
Wendie Jo Sperber	...	Kuchinsky
MacIntyre Dixon	...	Counterman
Lisa Tollefson	...	High School Newspaper Photographer
Neil Thompson	...	Las Vegas Policeman
T.K. Carter	...	Car Wash Employee
Harlan Warde	...	Las Vegas Police Lieutenant
Patrick Burns	...	Hotel Doorman #1 (as Patrick J. Burns)
Michael R. Beard	...	The Flying Michaels (as The Flying Michaels)
Alan Friedman	...	Hotel Doorman #2
Marion Scherer	...	Hooker
Nathan Jung	...	Bouncer
Richard Roat	...	Desk Clerk
Jan Burrell	...	Gil's Gas Station Customer
Paddi Edwards	...	Loop Gaffer (as Paddy Edwards)
David Byrd	...	Loop Cameraman
Bill Gentry	...	Mr. Boradino
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Rio	...	(uncredited)
Ken Tipton	...	Irate Driver (uncredited)

Directed by
Matthew Robbins

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Hal Barwood		writer
Matthew Robbins		writer

Produced by
Hal Barwood	....	producer

Original Music by
Craig Safan

Cinematography by
Frank Stanley

Film Editing by
Amy Holden Jones		(as Amy Holden)

Casting by
Terry Liebling

Art Direction by
James L. Schoppe		(as James Schoppe)

Set Decoration by
Richard Spero

Costume Design by
Aggie Guerard Rodgers		(as Agnes Rodgers)

Makeup Department
Alan Friedman	....	makeup artist (as Alan J. Friedman)
Robert L. Stevenson	....	hair stylist

Production Management
Jack Terry	....	unit production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Jim Bloom	....	assistant director
Buddy Joe Hooker	....	second unit director
Toby Lovallo	....	second assistant director

Art Department
Kent H. Johnson	....	property master

Sound Department
Willie D. Burton	....	sound
Michael J. Kohut	....	sound
William L. McCaughey	....	sound
John Riordan	....	sound editor
Aaron Rochin	....	sound

Stunts
Bobby Bass	....	stunt coordinator
Janet Brady	....	stunts
Greg Brickman	....	stunts
Rip Clark	....	stunts
Tony Epper	....	stunts
James M. Halty	....	stunts
Eddie Hice	....	stunts
Billy Hank Hooker	....	stunts
Hugh Hooker	....	stunts
Tommy J. Huff	....	stunts
Ed Lang	....	stunts
Elizabeth Moorman	....	stunts
Bobby Bass	....	stunts (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Bud Howell	....	key grip
Rexford L. Metz	....	photographer: second unit (as Rexford Metz)
Jack Shannon	....	still photographer

Editorial Department
David Ramirez	....	assistant editor

Music Department
Harry V. Lojewski	....	music supervisor
William Saracino	....	music editor

Transportation Department
Chris Haynes	....	driver (uncredited)
Chris Haynes	....	production driver (uncredited)

Other crew
Pamela Alch	....	script supervisor
Regina Gruss	....	unit publicist
Richard G. Korkes	....	technical advisor
Dale M. Robbins	....	craft service (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
• Plotto Productions

Distributors

• Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) (1978) (USA) (theatrical)
• CBS Television (1980) (USA) (TV) (broadcast premiere)
• MGM/UA Distribution Company
• Warner Home Video (2005) (USA) (DVD)

Also Known As:

Stingray (USA) (working title)
The Hot One
California Highway (West Germany) (video title) [de]
Correrías de verano (Spain) [es]
Corvette - kuuma rauta (Finland) [fi]
Estate della Corvette, L' (Italy) [it]
Keravnos stin asfalto (Greece) [el]
Lato 'corvetty' (Poland) [pl]
Um Carro, um Rapaz, uma Garota (Brazil) [pt]
Zwei heiße Typen auf dem Highway (West Germany) [de]

Runtime:

105 min | Argentina:108 min (video)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:M | Iceland:12 | Finland:K-16 | Norway:16 | Sweden:15 | USA:PG | Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:PG (Manitoba/Ontario)

Filming Locations:

Auto Shop, Burbank High School - 902 N. Third Street, Burbank, California, USA

Company:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Trivia:

Mark Hamill was badly injured in an automobile wreck in Malibu, California immediately prior to production. He bares the scars through Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983)

Goofs:

Continuity: In the car chase at the end, both cars are almost completely covered with dust. When shown from overhead, they are sparkling clean.

Quotes:

Ed McGrath: Everyone has to ask the question, am I a sucker or what. I mean we all play the game, but who makes up the rules?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Brain That Wouldn't Die (#6.13)" (1993)

The Best Lookin' Street Machine on the West Coast!

Yes, I grew up in the generation of original Star Wars fanatics. Yes, I only saw Corvette Summer because of Mark Hamill. Yes, it's a very cheesy & kitschy film. On a lark, I recently picked it up on video at a supermarket for about $5. Having not seen it for many years, I gotta say, however, that it's a total riot! Without a doubt, this film is probably going to hold greater interest to those who either have fond memories of the 70s, or, at least, a passing interest in the decade when tacky was king. Those who have no understanding of the era will likely come away totally bewildered. Reasons you want? Well, please allow me...

1. I love Stingrays. Besides, it's great to see Hamill become obsessed about cars in a way only teenagers can (once girls enter the picture - for real - this love affair changes forever, as it does in the film).

2. As much as I share the love for Stingrays, I equally love 70s ideas of hipness. Hamill is given total freedom to build his "dream car" and what does he do? He cranks out a custom discomobile - a glitter vette that would make any purist cringe. Insane! Oh, and let's not forget Potts' customized van (with waterbed, natch).

3. Favorite moments: a) Hamill briefly gets money & therefore a HUGE head to go with it; b) a guy who earlier attacks Hamill with a chain makes a hysterically insincere apology ("hey man, I'm real sorry about that thing, you know, with the chain thing...I'm sorry about that."); c) Hamill kicks Danny Bonaduce's butt (and Cokes go flyin'!); d) the leader to a convoy of Chicano low riders explains his notion of "class"; e) Bonaduce, again, goes for the 70s knockout punch with his limited, but memorable, dialogue ("I know...let's do a dune buggy!!" and, his personal best delivered over CB radio no less, "Breaker, breaker, Shop Class One! Honk if you love Corvettes! This is the Top Hat in the Dragon Wagon. Dig it boys & girls!")

4. The great b-movie actor Dick Miller pops up with a two dollar bill ("just call me Gladstone Duck!), as does a menacing Brion James. The film, therefore, can't be all THAT bad.

5. Cornball aside, Potts and Hamill are extremely likable, have great chemistry together and do a lot with their stock character roles. For example, here's a twist: although Potts plays a hooker with a heart of gold (Yawn...), she's actually only a "trainee" with a heart of gold (Redemption!!). So she's can be kooky without being morally corrupt, and plays it with just the right amount of edge that makes it okay to like, and not pity, her (not that I condone hookers-in-training mind you). As for Hamill, we never question his loyalty to his car. Check out the glint in his eye when he talks shop with- who else? - his shop teacher, "you're right. It IS perfect."

6. Even though there is plenty of unintended humor, which also adds to the fun, the movie IS actually pretty funny apart from that!