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Corey Feldman in "The Lost Boys" in 1986. Source: https://www.wonderwall.com/ (May be subject to copyright) |
We were all set to meet Corey Feldman on the Sunday of the 2019 Calgary Expo, and I even bought a photo op with him – then the snow hit.
It was so bad, three people ended up spending the night at our house, because they hit the ditch coming into Claresholm.
We decided it was not worth it to go back to Calgary to meet Corey Feldman.
So, I was left with the memories I already had of him.
Bad news
My first memory of Corey Feldman comes from a show that lasted parts of two seasons in 1979 and 1980. It was based on one of my favourite movies, although I saw episodes of the TV series before the movie. It was called “The Bad News Bears” and starred Jack Warden as little league baseball manager Morris Buttermaker, the role made famous by Walter Matthau. Every other role was played by a different actor as well.
My first memory of Corey Feldman comes from a show that lasted parts of two seasons in 1979 and 1980. It was based on one of my favourite movies, although I saw episodes of the TV series before the movie. It was called “The Bad News Bears” and starred Jack Warden as little league baseball manager Morris Buttermaker, the role made famous by Walter Matthau. Every other role was played by a different actor as well.
Playing the role of first baseman Reggie Tower was Corey Feldman.
I don’t remember much about him, other than he seemed pretty quiet, and maybe a little brooding.
That wouldn’t be the last time.
TV time
Corey Feldman would guest star in a lot of TV shows in the decade, including, “Mork and Mindy”; “The Love Boat”; “Cheers”; “One Day at a Time”; and “Family Ties”.
Corey Feldman would guest star in a lot of TV shows in the decade, including, “Mork and Mindy”; “The Love Boat”; “Cheers”; “One Day at a Time”; and “Family Ties”.
That tapered off as his movie career took off.
It’s scary to start
Starting with horror movies such as “Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter” and “Gremlins” in 1984 and “Friday the 13th: A New Beginning” in 1985, Corey Feldman started working regularly in film.
Starting with horror movies such as “Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter” and “Gremlins” in 1984 and “Friday the 13th: A New Beginning” in 1985, Corey Feldman started working regularly in film.
Then, in 1985, he appeared in “The Goonies” as one of the kids who finds trouble.
To be honest, I don’t have a lot of memories of “The Goonies” like other movies of the period. I went to see “The Goonies” at the Green Acres Drive-in in Lethbridge with my buddy Mat and his family. Given it was dark, and much of the movie is set underground, which is also dark, I had trouble following the movie. For that reason, I didn’t internalize any memories, other than my frustration over not being able to see what was going on.
That would change with the next two movies I saw of Feldman’s.
Stand by Me
Feldman would be back in 1986 in another movie where he played part of a group of kids on an adventure. This time around, four boys were going in search of a dead body they had heard about. Feldman played Teddy Duchamp, who came from a bad home, and had a lot going on even if he didn’t say much. His dad, who was a veteran, had mental health issues and almost burned off Teddy’s ear. He also wore thick glasses, kind of adding to his awkwardness. In the end, we learn Teddy tried to get in the army, but was denied because of his damaged ear and poor eyesight. He ultimately, ended up doing jail time too. It was a brooding role where Teddy looked like he could explode at any moment. He did once, when one of the other boys called his dad a “loonie”. Obviously, given the reference to jail time, he did again.
Feldman would be back in 1986 in another movie where he played part of a group of kids on an adventure. This time around, four boys were going in search of a dead body they had heard about. Feldman played Teddy Duchamp, who came from a bad home, and had a lot going on even if he didn’t say much. His dad, who was a veteran, had mental health issues and almost burned off Teddy’s ear. He also wore thick glasses, kind of adding to his awkwardness. In the end, we learn Teddy tried to get in the army, but was denied because of his damaged ear and poor eyesight. He ultimately, ended up doing jail time too. It was a brooding role where Teddy looked like he could explode at any moment. He did once, when one of the other boys called his dad a “loonie”. Obviously, given the reference to jail time, he did again.
Teddy Duchamp was a supporting role, with most of the focus on the roles played by Wil Wheaton and River Phoenix, but Feldman still did a great job.
The Lost Boys
The Feldman role I remember most vividly is as Edgar Frog in “The Lost Boys”. A single mother, her two sons and daughter move in with her father in a small town where odd things start to happen. The teenage son falls in with some high school boys who introduce him to some strange things. The younger son, played by Corey Haim, gets more suspicious and scared.
The Feldman role I remember most vividly is as Edgar Frog in “The Lost Boys”. A single mother, her two sons and daughter move in with her father in a small town where odd things start to happen. The teenage son falls in with some high school boys who introduce him to some strange things. The younger son, played by Corey Haim, gets more suspicious and scared.
That’s where he meets the mysterious Edgar Frog, who is about the same age, and informs him the town is crawling with vampires. Moreover, Frog seems to be an expert on vampires and the two of them team up to defeat one who has his eyes set on the kids’ mother.
Again, Feldman plays a brooding character, but this time he is measured and calculating. I never got the feeling he would blow at any time. Rather he would kill me in my sleep.
The years after
He would close out the decade with “License to Drive” in 1988; and “The ‘Burbs” and “Dream A Little Dream” both in 1989.
He would close out the decade with “License to Drive” in 1988; and “The ‘Burbs” and “Dream A Little Dream” both in 1989.
He continues acting to this day.
Parting thoughts
It is interesting that Corey Feldman came to Calgary for that Comic Con four years ago to be part of a reunion of “The Goonies”, but I did not even associate him with that movie.
It is interesting that Corey Feldman came to Calgary for that Comic Con four years ago to be part of a reunion of “The Goonies”, but I did not even associate him with that movie.
Instead, images of a child baseball player, teenage adventurer, and vampire hunter came to mind.
Those are some of my favourite movies, and I am glad he was a part of them.
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