THUNDER ALLEY

US, 1985, 105 minutes, Colour.
Roger Wilson, Leif Garrett, Jill Schoelen.
Directed by J.S.Cardone.

Thunder Alley is a film about rock and roll. However, it is influenced very strongly by such films as Flashdance and, particularly, Footloose. It shows a group of would-be rock and rollers in Tucson and their local success. However, along the way there are the usual hazards of the climb to stardom - exploitation, fan adulation, drugs. There is also tragedy and death along the way.

The cast acts competently - Roger Wilson (Porkys, Second Time Lucky) is quite engaging as the farm boy who becomes the star. Leif Garrett appears as a rock and roll singer.

The film is very much for an American audience, for American sentiment but, of its kind, it is quite enjoyable.

1. A piece of Americana of the '80s? The world of popular music? Youth?

2. The Arizona locations, Tucson and the other cities, Colorado? The use of clubs? Staging of the music? The ordinary life of farms? The cities?

3. The musical score? The songs, their staging, performance? The appeal of the music in the 1980s? The sound and the lyrics of the '80s and American youth?

4. The title and the reference to the street in Tucson, the Rat Trap, the Palace? The recreation of the youth? The groups, the music, the atmosphere, the dancing? The various Thunder Alleys of the western cities ?

5. The portrait of Richie - his work at home, the bonds with hi s mother and father, his father's reticence, wanting him to work, his mother's pleading his cause, his father's pride in him, reading of the letters that he wrote. the permissions to go. the pride in his performance? The farm boy, his old school friends, going to town? Donnie influencing his life? Arranging the date with Beth? His friendship with Beth. their talking. taking her home, her father's assault? The growing friendship and support? Donnie and his arranging the group. getting Richie to perform, the clashes with Skip? on the road, the successful gigs, his enjoying his performance, his skill with the guitar, his song in Denver? Weasel's support? The return to Tucson? The Fat Man's plans? His disillusionment with Donnie, the drugs. his going to see him, the final friendship plea? His response to Donnie’s death, the funeral. hating him for what he did? His anger, going with Donnie’s girlfriend, the drug revelation. smashing the Fat Man's car? His return home and opting out? Weasel's attempt to persuade him? His final coming on stage and success? His future? The traditional story of a star is born as well as the many stories of the ups and downs of groups?

6. The members of the band: Donnie and his push, happy-go-lucky style, friendship with Richie, putting Skip in his place? Speaking out - and Weasel putting him down? Persuading Richie to go on the road? His girlfriend? His reckless style, enjoying the attention of the groupies during the tour? The Fat Man's party. the girl seducing him, drugs. his irresponsibility, poor performance? Ritchie’s pleading with him? His decision to overdose himself and die? The two regular members of the band and their friendship, support? Unable to be successful without Richie? Skip and his antagonism, people not liking him, his skill as a rock and roll singer. his jealousy of Richie. opting out. the Fat Man offering him a job. his joining with the group

7. The Fat Man and the various proprietors of the clubs? Their control, bullying? Weasel as the Fat Man's henchman, his tough attitude on the road, getting the money out of the managers? His liking for Richie, warning him about the Fat Man? Asking him to come back? Arranging for the performance at the festival? His success? The various members of the staff?

8. Beth and her work with Lorraine? Friendship with the boys? Beth falling in love with Richie, their sharing, his betrayal and her pardoning him? Her not being able to persuade him? Her joy at the end?

9. The world of rock and roll, clubs, the youth and their enthusiastic support? On the road, the groupies, the unreal life, the exploitation?

10. The build-up to the festival? Surgical Steel and their music? The contrast with Magic?

11. Traditional American themes in modern dressing? The stance of the hero? His rebellion? The success? The film's stand on drugs? on relationships? on family?