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Tapeheads
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| Tapeheads | |
|---|---|
![]() Original film poster | |
| Directed by | Bill Fishman |
| Written by | Bill Fishman Peter McCarthy |
| Produced by | Peter McCarthy Michael Nesmith |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Bojan Bazelli |
| Edited by | Mondo Jenkins |
| Music by | Fishbone |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Avenue Pictures[a] |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 93 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $3 million[1] |
| Box office | $343,786 |
Tapeheads is a 1988 comedy film directed by Bill Fishman and starring John Cusack, Tim Robbins, Clu Gulager, Doug McClure, Jessica Walter, Mary Crosby, Sam Moore and Junior Walker. The film was produced by Michael Nesmith, who briefly appears as a bottled water delivery man.
The film premiered at the U.S. Film Festival on January 22, 1988, with De Laurentiis Entertainment Group attached as distributor and a tentative release date of March 1988. However, due to financial concerns, distribution rights reverted to NBC Productions, which sold them to Avenue Pictures. The film was ultimately released on October 21, 1988 and was pulled from theaters only two weeks into its theatrical run. A poll of theater patrons by Avenue concluded that the film's underperformance could be attributed to the company's marketing campaign, which was described as "too hip and selective" and aimed to promote the film as more of a slapstick comedy.[1]
Plot
[edit]After losing their jobs as security guards, best friends Ivan and Josh start a music video production company called "Video Aces". When they meet their childhood heroes, 1970s soul duo Swanky Modes, Ivan and Josh concoct a scheme to give them a new audience by hijacking a Menudo concert, getting them to perform in Menudo's place, and broadcasting it live across the country on a television satellite hook-up.
The movie also features a fake ad spot for a real Los Angeles restaurant, Roscoe's House of Chicken 'n Waffles. Notable appearances in the film include: Mary Crosby, of the soap opera Dallas; character actors Clu Gulager and Doug McClure; football player Lyle Alzado; 1960s actress Connie Stevens; Soul Train host Don Cornelius; singer Courtney Love; Navasota singer King Cotton; original "Human Beat-Box" Doug E. Fresh; ska-punk band Fishbone (who also perform the incidental score) as "Ranchbone"; The Dead Boys and The Lords of the New Church singer Stiv Bators; Ted Nugent; "Weird Al" Yankovic; and Dead Kennedys singer Jello Biafra, in a cameo as an FBI agent.
Cast
[edit]- John Cusack as Ivan Alexeev
- Tim Robbins as Josh Tager
- Mary Crosby as Samantha Gregory
- Clu Gulager as Senator Norman Mart
- Doug McClure as Sid Tager
- Katy Boyer as Belinda Mart
- Jessica Walter as Kay Mart
- Sam Moore as Billy Diamond
- Junior Walker as Lester Diamond
- Susan Tyrrell as Nikki Morton
- Lee Arenberg as Norton
- Xander Berkeley as Ricky Fell
- "Weird Al" Yankovic as himself
- Don Cornelius as Mo Fuzz
- King Cotton as Roscoe
- Zander Schloss as Heavy Metal Fan
- Martha C. Quinn as RVTV-VJ
- Ted Nugent as Rock Star
- Jello Biafra as FBI Man #1
- Bob McLean as FBI Man #2
- Connie Stevens as June Tager
- Courtney Love (uncredited) as Norman's Spanker
- Stiv Bators as Dick Slammer
- Bob Goldthwait (credited as Jack Cheese) as Don Druzel
- David Anthony Higgins as Visual Aplomb
- Michael Nesmith as Water Man
- Jennifer Balgobin as Calypso Dancer
- Sy Richardson as The Bartender
- Brie Howard as Flygirl
- Billy Davis as Swanky Modes Band Member, Guitar
- Lyle Alzado as Conan the Tour Guide
Soundtrack
[edit]The music supervisor for the film was Nigel Harrison. The soundtrack album was released on Island Records.
| No. | Title | Artist | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Ordinary Man" | Swanky Modes (Sam Moore and Junior Walker) | 2:53 |
| 2. | "Roscoe's Rap" | King Cotton | 4:26 |
| 3. | "Surfer's Love Chant" | Bo Diddley | 4:56 |
| 4. | "You Hooked Me Baby" | Swanky Modes | 3:32 |
| 5. | "Betcher Bottom Dollar" | Swanky Modes | 2:20 |
| 6. | "Baby Doll (Sung in Swedish)" | Devo | 3:36 |
| 7. | "Slow Bus A-Movin' (Howard's Beach Party)" | Fishbone ("Ranchbone") | 2:39 |
| 8. | "Audience for My Pain" | Swanky Modes | 4:22 |
| 9. | "Language of Love" | Swanky Modes | 3:00 |
| 10. | "Ordinary Man (Can't Keep a Good Man Down Mix)" | Swanky Modes | 4:19 |
The film's soundtrack (but not the soundtrack album) includes the song "Repave America" written and performed by Tim Robbins, credited as Bob Roberts four years before that movie was released. "Repave America" also appeared in the Bob Roberts soundtrack with the lyrics slightly altered to become "Retake America".
Reception
[edit]On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 60% of 15 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 5.6/10.[2]
Notes
[edit]- ^ De Laurentiis Entertainment Group was credited as distributor at the film's premiere at the U.S. Film Festival[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "AFI|Catalog".
- ^ "Tapeheads". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved December 4, 2022.
External links
[edit]- Tapeheads at IMDb
- Tapeheads at the TCM Movie Database
- Tapeheads at Box Office Mojo
- Tapeheads at Rotten Tomatoes
Tapeheads
View on GrokipediaStory and Characters
Plot
Ivan Alexeev and Josh Tager, lifelong friends working as night security guards in Los Angeles, are fired after they repurpose the building's surveillance cameras to film an unauthorized music video during their shift.[4][5] Undaunted by their unemployment, the duo channels their passion for music videos into starting their own production company, Video Aces, operating out of a rundown warehouse.[2][6] They secure their first gigs on spec, including a surreal commercial for Roscoe's House of Chicken and Waffles featuring a rap performance and a low-budget video for a hot new Scandinavian group touring Africa, which they fund themselves despite vague promises of payment from promoter Mo Fuzz.[4][7] As Video Aces gains a quirky reputation in the cutthroat music industry, Ivan and Josh set their sights on reviving the career of Swanky Modes, the 1960s Motown soul duo they idolized as children, rebranding them as the more marketable "Hit Men."[8][9] They produce a series of absurd, over-the-top music videos for the group, incorporating cameos from musicians like Fishbone during shoots that blend retro soul with 1980s excess.[4] However, rivalries emerge with industry insiders like Mo Fuzz, who undercuts their deals, and personal mishaps plague their progress, including a botched taping of a client's "living will" that turns into a funeral video when the subject dies mid-recording.[5][9] The duo's ambitions peak with a high-stakes scheme to hijack a live satellite broadcast of a Menudo concert at the Los Angeles Forum, sneaking Swanky Modes onstage in place of the teen pop group to expose their music to a massive young audience.[6][10] Paralleling this, they unwittingly acquire compromising footage of presidential candidate Senator Norman Mart engaged in bizarre sexual activities, sparking a blackmail plot involving Mart's aide and leading to chases, a shootout, and near-collapse of their operations.[4][7] The ensuing chaos from the broadcast mishap and industry betrayals threatens Video Aces' survival, but Ivan and Josh's ingenuity and loyalty ultimately lead to redemption, securing Swanky Modes' comeback and their own foothold in the business.[8][5]Cast
The principal cast of Tapeheads features John Cusack as Ivan Alexeev, an ambitious aspiring music video producer navigating the cutthroat industry, and Tim Robbins as his best friend Josh Tager, a similarly eager novice filmmaker who joins him in their entrepreneurial venture.[1] Supporting the leads are Mary Crosby as Samantha Gregory, a key figure in the protagonists' professional circle; Clu Gulager as Senator Norman Mart, a politically connected antagonist; Doug McClure as Sid Tager, Josh's father; Jessica Walter as Kay Mart, the politician's wife; Connie Stevens as June Tager, Josh's overbearing mother; and Don Cornelius as Mo Fuzz, the duo's opportunistic manager.[1] Additionally, the film showcases Sam Moore as Billy Diamond and Junior Walker as Lester Diamond, the Swanky Modes soul duo and clients of the main characters who represent the authentic musical talent at the story's heart.[1] The ensemble is enriched by a roster of notable cameos from musicians and celebrities, underscoring the film's satirical take on the music world. These include Courtney Love as a punk girl, Ted Nugent as a bombastic rock star playing himself, "Weird Al" Yankovic as a harried caterer, Jello Biafra as a shadowy CIA agent, King Sunny Adé as himself performing in a musical sequence, Michael Nesmith as a water delivery guy, Bobcat Goldthwait in a brief comedic bit, Doug E. Fresh as a rapper, and NFL player Lyle Alzado as a bodyguard.[1][11]Production
Development
Tapeheads marked the feature film debut of director Bill Fishman, a veteran music video director whose work in the burgeoning 1980s industry inspired the project's satirical take on MTV culture and the music video boom. Fishman co-wrote the initial script with producer Peter McCarthy, drawing from their experiences in the fast-paced, often absurd world of video production, while additional story contributions came from Jim Herzfeld and Ryan Rowe. The concept originated as a lowbrow comedy skewering the excesses of the music video scene, with Fishman leveraging his background directing clips for artists such as the Ramones and Georgia Satellites to infuse authenticity into the narrative.[4][12][8] Executive producer Michael Nesmith, best known as a member of The Monkees and an early innovator in music videos through his 1981 video album Elephant Parts, secured financing for the film under his Pacific Arts Pictures banner, obtaining a budget of approximately $3 million to $4 million with distribution support from De Laurentiis Entertainment Group. Nesmith's involvement stemmed from his interest in offbeat comedies, having previously produced films like Repo Man (1984), and he played a cameo role as a bottled water delivery man. The project was formally announced in May 1986, with pre-production focusing on assembling a team to capture the chaotic energy of the era's media landscape.[12][4][13] Casting emphasized comedic synergy, with John Cusack and Tim Robbins selected as the leads—Ivan and Josh—due to their proven timing in youth-oriented comedies like Better Off Dead (1985) for Cusack and Howard the Duck (1986) for Robbins; Cusack's agent reportedly initiated their pairing to anchor the film's buddy dynamic. Nesmith's extensive music industry connections facilitated the recruitment of high-profile cameos, including musicians such as Fishbone (who also composed the score), Jello Biafra, and Courtney Love, enhancing the satire with authentic alternative rock figures without derailing the central plot.[8][13] The script evolved through rewrites to amplify its absurd humor, initially centered on a straightforward send-up of MTV's glossy superficiality but incorporating escalating surreal elements, such as a sequence featuring a Swedish synth-pop trio performing a Devo song. These additions during pre-production refined the tone, blending media critique with over-the-top gags like Reagan-era political jabs and bizarre commercial parodies, ensuring the film greenlit as a timely, irreverent comedy ready for principal photography in early 1987.[8][12]Filming
Principal photography for Tapeheads took place from February 2, 1987, to March 1987, primarily in Los Angeles County, California, allowing for an efficient schedule that resulted in the film's 93-minute runtime.[14] The production utilized various urban Los Angeles settings to capture the gritty, industrial vibe of the city's music video scene, including an old brick warehouse at 660 South Myers Street as the protagonists' studio.[15] Simulated concert venues were constructed for key sequences, such as the hijacking of a Menudo performance, enhancing the film's satirical take on the era's pop culture excess.[14] Director Bill Fishman, known for his music video work, employed a low-budget approach influenced by financial constraints of around $3 million, favoring handheld cameras and rapid quick cuts to emulate the frenetic MTV aesthetic of the 1980s.[3][12] This style not only mirrored the video production world depicted in the story but also addressed technical challenges in replicating the glossy yet chaotic look of contemporary music videos on a limited schedule.[13] On-set experiences highlighted strong cast chemistry between John Cusack and Tim Robbins, whose natural rapport as the leads Ivan and Josh infused scenes with authentic energy and humor.[2] Improvisational moments arose during cameos from musicians and celebrities like Weird Al Yankovic, Ted Nugent, and Jello Biafra, adding spontaneous flair to the production's eclectic ensemble dynamic.[3] These interactions contributed to the film's lively, offbeat tone while navigating the logistical demands of coordinating numerous brief appearances.Music
Soundtrack
The official soundtrack album for Tapeheads, titled Tapeheads Presents Swanky Modes: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, was released by Island Records in 1988 on vinyl, cassette, and CD formats.[16] Executive produced by Michael Nesmith alongside Bill Fishman, Chris Blackwell, and Peter McCarthy, the album emphasizes original material from the fictional R&B duo Swanky Modes—comprising soul legends Sam Moore of Sam & Dave and Junior Walker—while incorporating tracks from a diverse array of artists including Bo Diddley, Devo, Fishbone, and T.S. Monk.[17] Nesmith's oversight in assembling this blend of veteran soul performers and emerging new wave/punk acts aligned with the film's intent to lampoon the commercial excesses and stylistic fusions of 1980s music videos and industry trends.[13] Music supervision was provided by Nigel Harrison, the former Blondie bassist, who also composed and produced the album's closing themes.[18] Key tracks highlight the album's satirical edge, such as "Roscoe's Rap" by King Cotton, a hip-hop infused narrative device, and the instrumental "Tapeheads Theme" by Harrison, evoking synth-driven 1980s production tropes.[16] The full track listing is as follows:| No. | Title | Artist | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ordinary Man | Swanky Modes | 2:53 |
| 2 | Roscoe's Rap | King Cotton | 4:26 |
| 3 | Surfer's Love Chant | Bo Diddley | 4:56 |
| 4 | You Hooked Me Baby | Swanky Modes | 3:27 |
| 5 | Betcher Bottom Dollar | Swanky Modes | 3:34 |
| 6 | Baby Doll (Sung in Swedish) | Devo | 3:22 |
| 7 | Freddie's Dead | Fishbone | 5:16 |
| 8 | Bon Bon Vie (Gimme, Gimme) | T.S. Monk | 5:10 |
| 9 | Tapeheads Theme | Swanky Modes | 3:25 |
| 10 | Tapeheads Theme (Instrumental) | Nigel Harrison | 3:25 |

