Normally, I think it’s lame when DVDs include the film’s trailer among the special features— but not when I’m watching an ’80s movie. It’s fascinating to look back and see how they marketed "classics" like…
1982’s The Pirate Movie, starring Kristy McNichol and Christopher Atkins…
…and 1985’s Gymkata, starring Olympic gymnast Kurt Thomas
What are your favorite ’80s trailers? Non-guilty pleasure are welcome. YouTube links are encouraged.
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When I was little I loved The Pirate Movie, I thought it was so cool. I totally forgot it existed until recently a co-worker and me were chatting about the play Pirates of Penzance and we each were like, “Wait, wasen’t there a bad 80’s version??” and discovered we both watched it like crazing growing up! I’m glad we weren’t the only losers in the country!
revenge of the nerds…..and this might dip into the last 70s – The Warriors. I love the guys voice who used to do all the horror and action type movies
I am pretty sure it is the 70’s but Scanners is the all time best preview ever.
Gymkata saved my life! Never speak ill of it.
1. The Goonies
2. Vacation
3. Christmas Vacation
4. Caddyshack
5. Back to the Future
Guilty Pleasures:
1. Just one of the Guys
2. American Anthem
They should remake the Pirate Movie with Jessica Alba and Paul Walker. I’d be hilarious!!
You know what? If they stuck to the original script of Pirates of Penzance and added in the songs of The Pirate Movie, it would not be so bad on Broadway.
Flash Gordon was my fave! It had it all: special effects, action, flying people, James Bond and Queen! http://youtube.com/watch?v=AMEc_MiLmgw
5 “classic” ’80s trailers I saw recently (because it’s an obsession!…and there’s no such thing as a guilty pleasure as long as no one’s hurt):
1. Night Of The Creeps (actually a great little sci-fi/horror flick that I wish would come out on DVD already!)
2. Perfect (starring Travolta’s abs and Jamie Lee Curtis’ legs)
3. Tuff Turf (James Spader gets beat up A LOT in this one. What’s not to love?)
4. Over The Top (the only film to combine the wrenching drama of a bitter child custody case with the riveting world of professional arm wrestling!)
5. Out Of Bounds (Sixteen Candles’ Farmer Ted gets bloody revenge on the drug dealers who murdered his brother!)
UM, only the greatest John Cusack movie ever: Better Off Dead.
And honestly if you are going for cheesy camp classics, how could you forget this one:
WOW. I was only 2 when The Pirate Movie came out but I HAVE to watch it now, it looks craptastic! Love the Kara-tay sound effects on Gymkata.
I miss the 80’s.
Not really a trailer, but a video for View To a Kill. Roger Moore’s last James Bond film had Duran Duran singing the theme. The video had clips from the movie and extra foorage featuring the band. Who knew the three and a half minutes of the video contained every bit of excitement of the two hour plus movie.
I’m sorry Marc in ny. My favorite part about Gymkata was when Kurt Thomas was fighting the entire village of the loonies. Fortunely, they had a pommel horse in the village square.
I almost fell out of my chair when I read the words American Anthem. I totally have to buy that now.
Definitely the movie Perfect and Two of a Kind, 2 craptacular films.
Take a look:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YN3zMLbQ_6U
Flash Gordon. The trailer lets one know from the getgo that it’s a cheesy low budget science fiction film. With a soundtrack by Queen.
Knowing my tastes, I’ve got a feeling that my camp radar would have been blipping with glee to see that trailer. After all, he DID save everyone of us.
I immediately thought of American Anthem, but you beat me to it. At least I am not alone.
Actually for me, trailers are one of my favorite “special features” in each DVD, though I agree each DVD should just come with the trailer. In most cases a solid trailer is good for a quotable line (preferably something you can shout) and often outperform “deleted scenes” that were deleted for a good reason, or cookie-cutter documentaries.
I’ve always loved the original trailer I saw for “The Natural,” which combined images of the 1984 Robert Redford baseball fable with Vangelis’ haunting end theme from “Missing” (1982).
If you’re unfamiliar with the music, it sounds like this:
American Anthem was so cheesy but fun. Just seeing how awful an actress Janet Jones really is, is funny by itself. And how can we not forget Duran Durans Andy Taylor and his classic “Take it Easy”?
Its not the 80’s without the Coreys!!!
http://youtube.com/watch?v=7MdozlUSwhY
The Heavenly Kid w/Jason gedrick
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Qs4p7Sw8qNE
Omg. I love the Pirate Movie! It is still one of my all time favorite movies! For the longest time, my friends thought I was kidding that it even existed, but after I found a copy and forced them to watch it they had to believe me. I think they thought less of me, but oh well.
Red Dawn.
I especially like the title card done in English & Russian.
Here’s five:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=TkSU7ayEpRs
http://youtube.com/watch?v=T0_J2cAgKi0
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Nw8-SpCXWbw
http://youtube.com/watch?v=PmJC3ZaXBEc
http://youtube.com/watch?v=O0XKKbHYVfA
WHAAAAAAT?!?!?!Who went to SEE those? Pirate movie, okay, like, it would be a good inside joke with your friends, but Gymkata? Who thought of THAT? I guess in 20 years my kids’ll think Napoleon Dynamite and The Nany Diaries was dumb…
“Pirates” – they both have the same exact hairstyle.
Who’s prettier? … the dude with the frosted hair.
i forgot this one
the last american virgin
http://youtube.com/watch?v=pxcJ53lNCYc
I used to LOVE the Pirage Movie when I was a little kid. Oh man, this makes it look so bad!! hah
HMM best 80s maybe Lost Boys – I found it on http://www.dropamovie.com