Serial (1980 film)
Serial is a 1980 American comedy film produced by Paramount Pictures. The screenplay, by Rich Eustis and Michael Elias, is drawn from the novel The Serial by Cyra McFadden, published in 1977. Produced by Sidney Beckerman and directed by Bill Persky, the film stars Martin Mull, Tuesday Weld, Sally Kellerman, Christopher Lee, Bill Macy, Peter Bonerz and Tom Smothers. The original music score was composed by Lalo Schifrin.
| Serial | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Bill Persky |
| Produced by | Sidney Beckerman |
| Written by | Rich Eustis Michael Elias |
| Starring | Martin Mull Tuesday Weld Jennifer McAllister Sally Kellerman Bill Macy Pamela Bellwood Peter Bonerz Christopher Lee |
| Music by | Lalo Schifrin |
| Cinematography | Rexford L. Metz |
| Edited by | John W. Wheeler |
| Distributed by | Paramount Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 90 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $9,870,727[1] |
Plot
In trendy Marin County, California during the late 1970s, uptight Harvey Holroyd is losing patience rapidly.
On one hand, his wife Kate and her friends are thoroughly caught up in the sexual revolution and new age consciousness-raising and psychobabble. On the other hand, his rebellious teenage daughter Joanie is about to join a cult.
Harvey's best friend Sam, meanwhile, is having marital troubles, and Harvey is trying to land a higher-paying job with his corporate recruiter Luckman.
As marital problems persist, Kate and Harvey separate. Each becomes sexually involved with someone else, albeit rather awkwardly. Harvey tries to avoid the advances of his newly hired secretary, Stella, who lures him to an orgy, but he does begin seeing Marlene, a free-spirited, 19-year-old, strictly vegetarian supermarket cashier. Kate links up with Paco, a bisexual Argentinian aspiring to be an artist, whose profession for now is to trim her dog's hair.
Being unhappy at home, Joanie is lured by "concerned" members of a flower-peddling cult. She goes voluntarily at first and finds peace and tranquility there, but eventually finds herself virtually imprisoned in their house in the big city.
Harvey and Kate manage to patch up their differences for Joanie's sake. By means of a little blackmail that ensues from a surprise revelation involving Luckman, a gay motorcycle gang joins forces with Harvey to rescue Joanie. Thus, the Holroyds are reunited and prepare for Harvey's new job in Denver.
Cast
- Martin Mull as Harvey Holroyd
- Tuesday Weld as Kate Holroyd
- Jennifer McAllister as Joanie Holroyd
- Sally Kellerman as Martha
- Sam Chew Jr. as Bill, Martha's latest husband
- Anthony Battaglia as Stokeley, Martha's son
- Nita Talbot as Angela Stone
- Bill Macy as Sam Stone
- Pamela Bellwood as Carol
- Barbara Rhoades as Vivian
- Ann Weldon as Rachel, Martha's housekeeper
- Peter Bonerz as Dr. Leonard Miller, a psychiatrist
- Christopher Lee as Luckman ("Skull")
- Patch Mackenzie as Stella
- Stacey Nelkin as Marlene
- Tom Smothers as Spike
- Clark Brandon as Spenser
- Paul Rossilli as Paco
- Robin Sherwood as Woman Saltzburger
Critics
At the time, some film critics felt that the film was endorsing sexist and homophobic attitudes. Vito Russo wrote that "the film is permeated with hatred for gays" and that it was "the perfect antifeminist, homophobic statement to usher in the age of Ronald Reagan."[2]
References
- Serial at Box Office Mojo
- Russo, Vito (1987) [First published 1981]. The Celluloid Closet (Revised ed.). Harper & Row. p. 262. ISBN 0-06-096132-5.