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The movie poster for "Going Berserk" in 1983, with Joe Flaherty, Eugene Levy and John Candy. Source: https://moviesanywhere.com/movie/going-berserk (May be subject to copyright) |
The choice
One of the activities the students’ union at St. Joseph’s School in Coaldale used to plan was the theatre party. They would plan a bus for a Friday night to take the junior high students – who had their parents’ permission – into Lethbridge to go see a movie together.
One of the activities the students’ union at St. Joseph’s School in Coaldale used to plan was the theatre party. They would plan a bus for a Friday night to take the junior high students – who had their parents’ permission – into Lethbridge to go see a movie together.
I saw some really good movies in Grade 7 and 8 that way, some I may have never seen otherwise.
By Grade 9, so the Fall of 1983, our students’ union had changed, and wasn’t as plugged in to the rest of the students.
At that time as well, I was beginning to spend more time in town, at sleepovers with various friends.
When I had planned such a sleepover with my friend Shawn Kingston for Friday night, a conflict arose.
The students’ union was planning a theatre party.
Shawn really had no interest in going. I wanted to go over to his house, and it was always really fun. Shawn’s Mom always made these really good dinners, such as spaghetti and meat balls and mini-pizzas, and great snacks while we played games, watched TV, or talked. So I too passed without even seeing what the movie was.
Friday night
Often, Shawn’s parents would rent movies, and I think we were watching “The Road Warrior” when we got the news.
Often, Shawn’s parents would rent movies, and I think we were watching “The Road Warrior” when we got the news.
Shawn’s younger brother Craig, who was in Grade 7 I believe, had gone to the movie party. I recall him being excited about going, and talking to him as he got ready, but still had no idea what the movie was.
Inexplicably, he came back less than an hour later.
We were downstairs, and I heard him talking to his parents upstairs, before coming down.
“You’ll never guess what happened?” he said.
We were all just caught by surprise.
“We were in the theatre 15 minutes and the teachers just pulled the plug,” he said.
Our faces must have been asking why?
“It was the language,” he said.
That was a big deal in a Catholic school like St. Joe’s was, and I could see the teachers “going berserk” themselves.
That was a big deal in a Catholic school like St. Joe’s was, and I could see the teachers “going berserk” themselves.
At that point, I finally asked the question.
“What was the movie?”
“Going Berserk,” Craig said.
I had never heard of it before, or much about it since.
The movie
I didn’t even know “Going Berserk” starred John Candy. He plays a chauffeur engaged to the daughter of a United States senator who becomes embroiled with a shady film director and a crazed cult leader.
I didn’t even know “Going Berserk” starred John Candy. He plays a chauffeur engaged to the daughter of a United States senator who becomes embroiled with a shady film director and a crazed cult leader.
I always wondered why it was chosen as the movie. Every other movie party had really interesting choices: “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan” or “Rocky III”; or “On Golden Pond” or “Chariots of Fire”.
However, the social convener of the time, who really didn’t talk to anyone, thought better, and thought it would be a good movie.
It obviously wasn’t.
Parting thoughts
It’s funny how things can stick with you. I haven’t ever heard much about “Going Berserk”. Yet, when I was doing research on Ernie Hudson, Wikipedia revealed he had acted in “Going Berserk”.
It’s funny how things can stick with you. I haven’t ever heard much about “Going Berserk”. Yet, when I was doing research on Ernie Hudson, Wikipedia revealed he had acted in “Going Berserk”.
Just hearing that name, took me back to Grade 9 in Shawn Kingston’s basement.
It reminded me how simple life was, and just how different times were 40 years ago.
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