The Chicken Chronicles is a 1977 American teen stoner comedy film set in 1969 and starring Steve Guttenberg.[2]
| The Chicken Chronicles | |
|---|---|
 film poster | |
| Directed by | Frank Simon |
| Written by | Paul Diamond |
| Produced by | Walter Shenson Melvin Simon (presenter) |
| Starring | Phil Silvers Ed Lauter Steve Guttenberg |
| Cinematography | Matthew F. Leonetti |
| Edited by | George Folsey Jr. |
| Music by | LeRoy Holmes Ken Lauber |
| Distributed by | AVCO Embassy Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 95 minutes |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $1,350,000[1] |
Plot
editDavid Kessler is a high school student who will go to any lengths to impress a pretty cheerleader and lose his virginity, while juggling his job at a chicken restaurant and trying not to get thrown out of Beverly Hills High School — a fate that could get him sent to the Vietnam War.
Cast
edit- Phil Silvers as Max Ober
- Ed Lauter as Vice Principal Nastase
- Steve Guttenberg as David Kessler
- Lisa Reeves as Margaret Shaffer
- Gino Baffa as Charlie Kessler
- Meridith Baer as Tracy Vogel
- Branscombe Richmond as Mark
- Jon Gries as Tom
- Raven De La Croix as Mrs. Worth
Production
editThe film was based on a novel by Paul Diamond, the 23-year-old son of screenwriter I.A.L. Diamond. "It's a very funny very dirty book," said Diamond senior.[3]
Film rights were sold to Paramount before publication. A screenplay was done by Ned Wynn in 1975 with Paul Monash the producer.[4] The film was not made. However two years later Paul Diamond was working on a script for Avco Embassy.[5]
It was the first lead role for Steve Guttenberg. "Some actors get embarrassed about their early work," Guttenberg said, "but we all don't start out as 'artistes.' Nobody is going to confuse "Chicken" with 'Citizen Kane' but I learned a lot. They took a chance with me. I didn't get rich on it but it was a start."[6]
References
edit- ^ Donahue, Suzanne Mary (1987). American film distribution : the changing marketplace. UMI Research Press. p. 297. ISBN 9780835717762. Please note figures are for rentals in US and Canada
- ^ CHICKEN CHRONICLES, The Monthly Film Bulletin; London Vol. 48, Iss. 564, (Jan 1, 1981): 5.
- ^ Diamond in the Rough Screenwriters' World: Diamond in the Rough in Screenwriters' World Warga, Wayne. Los Angeles Times 15 Dec 1974: l50.
- ^ MOVIE CALL SHEET: War to Write, Star in 'Niger' Murphy, Mary. Los Angeles Times 16 Aug 1975: b7.
- ^ Case of an intrepid spy-ographer Lochte, Dick. Los Angeles Times 24 Apr 1977: v2.
- ^ STEVE GUTTENBERG - ACTORS ON EGO TRIPS IRK 'POLICE ACADEMY' STAR Blowen, Michael; Boston Globe.7 Apr 1984: 13.
External links
edit- The Chicken Chronicles at IMDb
- The Chicken Chronicles at Rotten Tomatoes
- The Chicken Chronicles at the TCM Movie Database
