Night Shift (1982)
I’m kicking this volume off with a little forgotten comedy from 1982 about a soft-hearted morgue attendant who with the convincing of his fast-talking co-worker begins running a prostitution ring out of the morgue in Ron Howard’s Night Shift starring the Fonz, Henry Winkler, Michael Keaton, and Shelley Long.
This movie is actually far from as raunchy as you’d think from the plot. It’s a clever little comedy that thrives on the performances from Henry Winkler and in particular from Michael Keaton who steals the show as the fast-talking and always amusing Bill Blazejowski. Ron Howard’s direction is pretty good overall and he’s able to pull a ton of laughs from this premise. Sure, some of its themes are a bit dated but that’s to be expected. Overall, though Night Shift is carried by a trio of comical performances with Shelley Long coming in to leave her imprint on the film. Winkler was still on Happy Days as the Fonz when this movie came out so it’s cool to see him play against character and I will admit the first half of this movie is stronger than the back half, but as a whole film Night Shift is a nostalgic comedy that still holds up.
The Gods Must Be Crazy (1980)
This next movie could possibly be the most forgotten film in this entire series. It’s a comedic allegory that follows a Bushman who sets out on a journey for civilization and discovers much more than he could’ve ever imagined in 1980s The Gods Must Be Crazy from Jamie Uys starring N!xau, Marius Myers, and Sandra Prinsloo.
Now few films are as unique to their own as The Gods Must Be Crazy. It’s a genuinely humorous movie about a man who ventures into civilization with an empty soda bottle. The humor is clever and overall, this is a smartly written story that can lure you in and capture your imagination before you know it. The performances are raw, and at times a bit unorthodox. Yet it’s all perfect for this film that plays like a silly comical farce but actually lines itself with meaning. I remember my aunt and uncle were watching this one when I was a kid, and it pulled me in. So much so that all these years and all the movies later I still remember seeing it for the first time. There was also a sequel The God Must Be Crazy II that I’d consider a hidden gem despite showing more studio influence. But The Gods Must Be Crazy is a beautifully shot comedy that can never be replicated.
Class of 1984 (1982)
This next action, crime, drama has gained a cult following over the years. It’s centered on a new teacher who arrives at a lawless high school and will teach the class the most dangerous lesson in Mark L. Lester’s Class of 1984 from 1982 starring Perry King, Merrie Lynn Ross, Timothy Van Patten, Rodney McDowell, and Michael J. Fox.
Admittedly this next crime drama may turn some people off. It’s certainly a product of its time. It’s a gritty, crass, and at times vulgar journey of a teacher battling students from hell. It’s far from perfect and it’s certainly excessive with its tropes and the creation of its character types. But at the same time Class of 1984 is a film that can make you feel uneasy and on edge at times as this teacher goes full on vigilante-mode. And the result is a blend of drama, action, spots of horror, and unintentionally humor at times that is surprisingly engaging as a piece of cinema’s past. The performance from Perry King as the teacher is pretty good. The performances from the younger cast members are serviceable, they’re all easy to hate and that’s the point. So you could call it a success. Michael J. Fox has a smaller part as well and while it’s flawed it’s still a timestamp to a type of movie; they certainly don’t make any more.
Hot Dog: The Movie (1983)
This next early 80s raunch-com will not be to everyone’s taste. It’s filled with mountain hijinks as skiers head to California to compete for the championship in a comedy that skis its buns off in 1983s Hot Dog: The Movie from Peter Markle. Starring David Naughton, Patrick Hauser, Tracy Smith, and Shannon Tweed.
Considered to be the most financially successful ski movie of all time Hot Dog: The Movie is filled with raunchy sex and alcohol infused humor that is certainly insulated with dated stereotypes. But the unabashed charisma fueled by the jovial atmosphere of this admittedly one-dimensional plot is fun enough to take a ride back in time to the era of the raunch-com. Between all the gratuitous nudity and full throttle silliness is a film that’s able to capture the skiing culture during the era and while the performances are far from precise, they are able to fill this story with plenty of likable characters. David Naughton cements the cast, he always looked like Harold Ramis to me during this time. And yes, this movie does have spots that fall flat, and it does force the nudity to mask over a weak plot. Regardless, it’s a relic of cinema’s past and when the music is pumping and the characters are hitting the slopes, Hot Dog is mindless 80s fun.
Black Moon Rising (1986)
Next up is a truly forgotten gem with solid star power that centers on a thief hired by the government to steal incriminating tapes from a corrupt corporation in 1986s Black Moon Rising directed by Henry Cokeliss. Starring Tommy Lee Jones, Linda Hamilton, Robert Vaughn, and Police Academy’s Bubba Smith.
Black Moon Rising is one of those action thrillers that was able to exceed expectations and overcome its flaws to be a great time. Jones and Hamilton don’t have the best chemistry, but it sort of works for the needs of the plot and their characters dynamics. There’s a creative ambition in this one that I appreciate. There are some pacing issues, and maybe too many layers of thievery moving the plot but when it’s on it’s on. When the action is kicking this movie works well. When the plot is working through its tropes the engagement level is there and overall Black Moon Rising is an action flick that just moves well. Jones isn’t necessarily likable, but he has the charisma to help you invest in this plot revolving around a state-of-the-art car that looks campy as hell. Black Moon Rising is having fun with itself so you can do the same while watching and if you thought Toretto and O’Conner were the first to jump buildings in a car then you forgot about the mid-80s exploits of Jones and Hamilton in the Black Moon.
UHF (1989)
Some may know of this little comedy gem from 1989. It’s centered around George, a normal guy with an incredible imagination who becomes the manager of a local TV station who will catapult the channel to success in Jay Levey’s UHF starring ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic, Michael Richards, Victoria Jackson, and Fran Drescher.
This is another of those films that will not be to everyone’s tastes. However, if you like slapstick and ultra silly humor then UHF is a true gem in the genre and from the late 80s as it rode the population of Weird Al Yankovic. The pace is steady, and its plot is just enough to string all the comedic bits together into something that can actually make sense. Now none of the humor in these types of movies hits 100% but much more of the humor works which is able to outside some of the sight gags that fall flat. Plus, UHF has a strong comedic cast at its disposal. Outside of the cameos, Michael Richards from Seinfeld comes in to deliver a fantastically absurd performance. Fran Drescher is humorous as are others in this ensemble and there is a charming variety to the laughs as it parodies everything from Rambo to Indiana Jones. This is certainly another product of its time but it’s also a blast of nostalgia when watching today.
Gorillas in the Mist (1988)
Coming up next is I think the first true biopic to make the series. This one explores the life of scientist Dian Fossey who studied and fought to protect the vanishing mountain gorillas of Africa in Michael Apted’s Gorillas in the Mist from 1988 starring Sigourney Weaver, Bryan Brown, and Julie Harris.
I’d consider this the most well-rounded film in this volume. It’s an emotionally gripping look at a woman who devoted her life to saving the gorillas of Africa and with strong direction and cinematography you’re pulled from the couch and taken deep into the jungles with this film. Now as a biopic there are some flaws. At the time of its release the main issue was the lack of exploration of who Dian Fossey was, as well as noticeable inaccuracies in the depiction of who this person truly was. However, this is a film not a documentary as from the perspective, Gorillas in the Mist is a movie that can capture your heart, and have you invested in the saga of this woman who is portrayed through a world class performance from Sigourney Weaver. I’d have to think about it when calling this Weaver’s best performance, but she certainly pours herself into the role and when she’s on the screen she commands your attention.
Body Slam (1986)
Now, many will say this obscure little comedy is forgotten for a reason however if you were a wrestling fan in the 80s this comedy about a fledgling manager who gains success after taking on the services of a professional wrestling duo in 1986s Body Slam directed by Hal Needham starring The A-Team’s Dirk Benedict, Tanya Roberts and a gang of professional wrestlers let by Roddy Piper and Captain Lou Albano.
Body Slam is one of those obscure movies that really has no right to be as humorous as it was. Sure, after all the years some of the jokes in Body Slam haven’t aged well but it was a different era, you can’t really watch films from the past with a modern social lens. So, as it is, Body Slam’s a comical little gem about a down-on-his-luck manager that stumbles into the world of professional wrestling. There is a collection of wrestlers in this one and the performances are a bit clunky however their dialogue feels birthed from the vignettes they were already accustomed to shooting for their match promotions. Dirk Benedict in the lead is charming and plenty charismatic. He’s certainly a schmuck but a fun-loving one and despite not really investing in his success this movie is filled with enough silly humor, cheesy bravado and in the ring action to be a lighthearted throwback to the culture of early 80s wrestling.
Cop (1988)
This next movie is a gritty action thriller about a rogue homicide detective who seeks out a serial killer in Hollywood in Cop from 1988 directed by James B. Harris. Starring James Woods, Lesley Ann Warren, Charles Durning, Charles Haid, and Raymond J. Berry.
To me Cop is certainly a movie that gets overlooked with talking about well-crafted, gritty, and unrelenting cop thrillers. James Woods delivers a top-notch performance as a rogue cop. He doesn’t care about right and wrong, all he cares about is his objective and in Cop it’s catching a sadistic serial killer. And to catch a criminal you need to think like one and have similar tendencies, and be willing to take it to the edge, all of which Woods delivers with his performance in addition to a determined veracity that helps you overlook his flaws. The pace is methodical, it’s foreboding, and it results in a gripping neo noir film with a modern edge. The direction is impressive, the supporting cast is effective, the scoring heightens the mood with ease, and when all these pieces are put together the result is a compelling thriller and one of Woods’ most underrated performances.
Armed and Dangerous (1986)
Closing out this volume is a comedy starring a couple of comedic legends. They’re undercover, overdressed, and keeping you safe from the scum of Earth. John Candy and Eugene Levy are security guards new on the job in 1986’s Armed and Dangerous directed by Mark L. Lester. Meg Ryan, Robert Loggia, and Brion James also star.
This was a movie that never really caught on when it was released but one that has gained a bit of a cult following over the years. It has its issues. Director Mark Lester admitted he wasn’t familiar filming with comedians and that there was a differing focus between Candy and Levy with Lester who tried too much to make this an action heavy film. This was originally intended to be a Dan Aykroyd/John Belushi movie, but I think Candy and Levy are surprisingly hilarious together. Armed and Dangerous is a full speed silly comedy and with a plot that’s more than serviceable for seeding humor and two capable comedic talents in the lead, the laughs this movie provides more than outshine some of the weaker moments. Candy and Levy have a great chemistry together and it more than carries the humor of this little forgotten comedy and had its share of production hurdles.
Anthony J. Digioia II © 2025 SilverScreen Analysis & Movies Never Say Die
