I’m going to start a new series of blogs for the 100 Years Blog, based on great little films that seem to have been forgotten over time. My first post is with the great little family gem called Six Pack (1982) that came out in the early eighties. It’s arguably the best movie that Kenny Rogers ever starred in and is most remembered for his hit theme song Love Will Turn You Around that was featured in the film.
My only complaint about the film would be the title that seems to be a play on words and seems to be in direct conflict with it’s family theme because it’s a reference to Beer. Which is also interesting that Kenny’s name in the film is Brewster and he goes by Brew for most of the film. I really think that the marketing was a big miss on this one as I think it really kept some families from going to see the film, which is a shame, because it’s really good. The title makes it feel like an adult contemporary comedy about drunk guys out for a wild night, not a cute family movie. So I guess you could also file this one under missed opportunities.
The film is notable for having a young Diane Lane and you can definitely see the potential for being a great actress even that early in her career. It also stars Anthony Michael Hall in his first movie role, before he made it big in National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983), Sixteen Candles (1984) and Breakfast Club (1985). I want to also state that he’s a very under-rated actor! He’s still fantastic, and I found him to be just hilarious in Psych last year and Rosewood this season. He needs to get more work.
The film was directed by Daniel Petrie for 20th Century Fox. Daniel Petrie is best remembered as the man who directed Sally Field in an Emmy Award winning role for Sybil, and for Fort Apache the Bronx and for the classic film A Raisin in the Sun starring Sydney Poitier.
People and companies to look up on IMDB:
- Kenny Rogers
- Diane Lane
- Anthony Michael Hall
- Daniel Petrie
- 20th Century Fox
