The Gong Show Movie

Poor former game and variety show host Chuck Barris can't catch a break, or so it appears in a notoriously long out-of-print cult film from 1980.

"The Gong Show Movie" was pulled out of theaters so quickly back in the day that many people don't even know it existed. Shout Factory changes all of that with a quirky Blu-ray release and can give any previous fans of "The Gong Show" a chance to view this bizarre curiosity.

The film was billed as a week in the life of "Gong Show" host and creator Chuck Barris and his variety show was already waning by the time his film hit theaters. It's an amalgam of various movie genres, one of which, being a spoof of celebrity and the trappings of being famous.

That theme runs rampant through the 88-minute running time of "The Gong Show Movie." Barris gets fictionally shown as he tries to live his mundane life but get inundated by hordes of fans. People barrage him with their over-the-top shenanigans while they try to convince the overworked host of their want of being on "The Gong Show." These scenarios are only funny sporadically and get used too often.

Working much better are scenes of actual footage from the show and an uncensored look at people's ridiculous auditions that get interspersed into "The Gong Show Movie."

It's basically two films in one, which makes for a confusing viewing experience. Was Barris that dissatisfied with the show and his life? This film alludes to that but doesn't offer any clear and concrete conclusions.

Listening to pop and film historian Russell Dyball's audio commentary is a treat and he tries to make sense of the film. He stresses the importance of "The Gong Show Movie," if only for the sheer reason that most people have heard of it but have never actually viewed the film.

That, in itself, warrants a purchase of Shout's long sought-after release; even though it really deserves the bang of the famous Gong.

"The Gong Show Movie"
Blu-ray
$24.99
www.shoutfactory.com