The Reverend Will the Thrill Presents the Film of the Week!

"The popcorn you're eating has been pissed in.  Film at 11."

I put a lot of thought into this week's film "sermon."  Then I thought, "Well, who doesn't love to laugh?"  So I picked one of the most outrageous comedies I could think of--one that never ceases to make me laugh whenever I watch it.

It was written by a sketch comedy trio calling themselves The Kentucky Fried Theater, consisting of David Zucker, Jim Abrahams, and Jerry Zucker (collectively known as ZAZ--and, yes, David and Jerry are brothers).  The three grew up together in Wisconsin forming The Kentucky Fried Theater in 1971 while they were attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

In 1977, they wrote this movie which was directed by a young filmmaker by the name of John Landis.  It became the springboard for massive success for all of them down the line.  ZAZ would go on to write and direct such legendary films as Airplane! and The Naked Gun series (based on the very short-lived series Police Squad! which they also created).  Landis went on to direct such landmark comedies as National Lampoon's Animal House, The Blues Brothers, Trading Places, and Coming To America.  But they all trace their roots to this film.

"I'm not wearing any pants.  Film at 11."

The film is essentially an hour and a half of sketch comedy--a parody of what could be found on late night television in the mid- to late-1970s.  There are commercials for various products, a news segment, more news teasers, movie trailers for (sometimes raunchy) films produced by one Samuel L. Bronkowitz, an educational film about the importance of zinc oxide in our daily lives, and even a courtroom drama.  A full third of the film consists of an entire kung fu parody, A Fistful of Yen, also "produced" by Bronkowitz.  When my father introduced me to it this movie when I was in college, he described it as "'Saturday Night Live' on steroids."

Featuring cameos from the likes of George Lazenby, Donald Sutherland, Henry Gibson, Bill Bixby, and Tony Dow, this week, I wholeheartedly recommend, from 1977, Kentucky Fried Movie.

Until next week, stay safe, be good to your neighbours, and remember to please give generously when death knocks at your door.

Yours in peace, love, and rock and roll!

The Reverend Will the Thrill