Golf Movies
November 12, 2010
The Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival is running this year from November 10 through 14. Thousands of film buffs will be flocking to the Movies at Midway.
You can, too. With over 100 movies on the schedule, this year’s Festival offers plenty of enjoyable viewing options for golfers and non-golfers alike.
Unlike past years, however, none of this year’s crop includes movies with a golf-related theme. That’s not to say you couldn’t host your own little golf movie festival, if you were so inclined.
One past Festival movie had a golf subplot, and is now available on DVD. In Keeping Mum, the now-departed Patrick Swayze played a sleezy golf professional at a British golf club. He’s on the make with a preacher’s wife, played by Kristin Scott Thomas. Rowan Atkinson, better known as Mr. Bean, is the preacher. This is dark little comedy, well worth your time.
Here are some other golf movie options, taken from one of my 2005 columns.
“The Caddy” (1953)—Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis took their comic shtick to the golf course, with Martin as a pro golfer and Lewis as his caddy. This movie will not help your golf game, but it might improve your singing. That’s because in this film Martin sings “That’s Amore,” which earned an Oscar nomination. Ben Hogan, Sam Snead, and Byron Nelson play themselves, and a very pretty, very young Donna Reed is in a supporting role.
“Caddyshack” (1980)—Following the Martin/Lewis tradition, Chevy Chase and Bill Murray tried their hand at a comedy centered around golf. The raunchy movie is now recognized as one of the best comedies of all time. Among other running gags, Murray plays a demented groundskeeper trying to eliminate an obviously fake groundhog, with explosive results.
Unfortunately, the movie was followed up by “Caddyshack II,” one of the worst sequel movies ever made. In fact, it’s right down there with the worst movies ever, regardless of its heritage.
“Dead Solid Perfect” (1988)—Randy Quaid gives a fine performance as a struggling tour pro trying to find a way to keep playing. This made-for-TV movie was based on the 1974 best-selling book by Dan Jenkins.
“Happy Gilmour” (1996)—Many folks consider this movie to be one of Adam Sandler’s best performances. Other folks do not consider this to present a major artistic challenge.
Hockey player Sandler learns how to use his slap shot with a driver and a golf ball. Those looking for realism in a golf movie should stay away, but for those looking for stupid fun need not look anywhere else.
“Tin Cup” (1996)—The writer of “Bull Durham” switched sports, but kept Kevin Costner as the hero, in this wry funny movie about a golf pro at a down-market driving range. Rene Russo plays the love interest. Cheech Marin is a wisecracking caddie who helps Costner when he somehow makes the finals of the U.S. Open.
“A Gentleman’s Game” (2001)—Gary Sinise stars in this drama about a young boy (Mason Gamble) learning the game as a caddy at his father’s country club. The boy also learns some valuable life lessons, thanks to Sinise’s character. Many of the film locations were shot in and around Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, including the Main Line suburbs.
For more Festival information, go to rehobothfilm.com, or just go to the Festival tent located in the rear parking lot of the Midway Shopping Center. I’ll be there.