Happy Birthday, Fletch | Buzz Blog

Monday, May 31, 2010

Happy Birthday, Fletch

Posted By on May 31, 2010, 11:50 AM

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There are films that movie nerds of a certain age turned into their own personal store-house of quotes. One of them—Fletch—celebrates the 25th anniversary of its release today. ---

Director Michael Ritchie’s loose adaptation of the Gregory McDonald novel, with Chevy Chase as investigative reporter Irwin M. Fletcher, was fairly successful upon its release on May 31, 1985. It earned around $50 million at a time when $50 million meant something, good for #12 on the list of that year’s releases and enough to prompt a sequel.

But its real legacy comes from the one-liners in Andrew Bergman’s script and Chase’s improvisation. A generation of socially-awkward white guys immediately supplemented their store of Monty Python and Spinal Tap references with restaurant orders of "a Bloody Mary, a steak sandwich and … a steak sandwich." "It's all bearings nowadays." “Not since breakfast.” And of course, “three names I enjoy: Marvin, Velma and Provo.” That’s really all that hold this shaggy pseudo-mystery together—and apparently, it was enough.

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Scott Renshaw

Scott Renshaw

Bio:
Scott Renshaw has been a City Weekly staff member since 1999, including assuming the role of primary film critic in 2001 and Arts & Entertainment Editor in 2003. Scott has covered the Sundance Film Festival for 25 years, and provided coverage of local arts including theater, pop-culture conventions, comedy, literature,... more

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