A ghettofabulous night with HT. It was movie night at Casa d. Hamrick, and tonight’s selection did not fail to disappoint. I was fortunate enough in my wanderings to pick up a copy of Are You Being Served?: The Movie — yes, the movie — an invited Holly over for a screening. Oh god, the endless humanity. . .
When I was a teenager, I went with my friend Pam Ashcraft to see Children of the Corn III. Yes, in the theater. Pam recoiled from the horror and watched the entire movie with her face buried in her knees. I felt like that tonight as I watched the once mighty Frank Thorton reduced to delivering toilet humor.
Here’s the plot in a nutshell — spoiler warning (sic). The Grace Brothers staff goes on vacation while the story being remodeled. Hi-jinks ensue, including a botched Spanish revolution and a “bedroom round-robin” in the greatest farce tradition. That’s it. That’s the movie.
There were two high points of note. The first was the appearance of Andres Sachs (’Manuel’ from Fawlty Towers) as the hotel concierge. The other was this line delivered by Mr. Grainger; “That’s what made the British great. . . stupid, but great”.
The rest of the movie rates two stars from even the most fervent AYBS fans. The humor was all low-brow toilet and sex humor, and not the clever, dry, sardonic humor usually on display from the British. . .and as it was basically a 90 minute episode of Are You Being Served?, the movie could have used a laugh track.
The final review from me and Holly. . . Mr. Grainger rocks, the movie is below average.
The other big news from the night. . I was filing away my Kids Incorporated soundtrack album — the original cast featuring Martika — and what did I find in the record sleeve but the R.E.M. Dark Globe 5 3/4 inch flexi-single from the January 1990 issue of Sassy Magazine when R.E.M. was on the Cute Band Alert.. Holy Unbelievable Crazy Luck! That’s like discovering nuclear fusion. . by accident. Of course, I spazzed out and blew my cool . .but Holly was a sport and let me freak out over it.Thank you and good night!
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