User reviews

They obviously borrowed heavily from American Graffiti and Animal House, both of which are far superior movies. I hadn't seen this since around 1985, and at the time it was my favorite movie. In the 15 years that have passed, it hasn't improved, but it's not that much worse either. It is what it is, and it has a good time doing it. For that alone it is worth watching.

We first saw this little opus on cable, and rushed out to get a blank tape right away. The first major film for Tony Danza, Michelle Pfieffer, and Robert Wuhl, "The Hollywood Knights" is funny, gross, bawdy, and nostalgic all at the same time. Is it a rip-off of "American Graffiti"? Um, yeah, but it's still a very funny film in its own right. Is it gross and lewd in spots? Well. . .yeah, but we can think of more egregious examples, like "Porky's". Does it deserve an "R" rating? Not when you consider some of the other dreck that's been put in the can. Undoubtedly the most memorable scene is Newbomb's rendition of "Volare'" in the school gym; a masterpiece of lowbrow humor, but funnier than. . .well, you can fill in the blank. Bottom line: a small-budget gem, if you can take it. If you're easily offended, lighten up. After all, there's LOTS worse out there!

This is a great movie. I first saw it in my younger years on cable and loved the gags. Now, much older but not too much more mature, I can still appreciate the gags - I have to say the editing in this movie is horrible! Very disjointed and the sequencing makes no sense. Each scene is a gem in it's own right, but whom ever threaded this together left something to be desired. I guess since there are at least 5 story lines going on, you will find something you like, but don't get too involved - your head will spin by the time they get back to it. Great soundtrack, awesome cars - fun to see many stars first time out - Hubba Hubba to Michelle P. Look for the skinny cop in Spaceballs. Now that it's on cable - it's a fun-must see. I'm glad I never paid for it though!

The only reason I watched this is I was attempting to fill in the gaps of my Michelle Pfeiffer experience ( my favorite actress ) I would venture to say that it's one of the most unfunny comedies ever made and horribly hard to sit through.

About as bad and inept as movies get.

The only amusing thing for me was that Tony Danza's annoyed opening line to Michelle is "Oh that's right I forgot. You're going to be a famous actress!" A little bitter and prophetic about her place in film history versus yours, Tony?

Just watched this movie that had aroused my curiosity for the last 29 years on YouTube. Unfortunately, because the Warner Music Group has boycotted any of its recordings from the site, part 7 in a series of 10-minute segments of The Hollywood Knights had no audio which I figured had the three Atlantic artists that were credited at the end. As a result, I missed the dialogue of Tony Danza, Michelle Pfeiffer, and some Knights with a Doo-Wop group, one of whom I recognized as T.K. Carter. If I eventually hear this missing segment, I'll add my comments of it to this review. Now, for the most part I enjoyed this movie especially the scenes with Robert Wuhl, Stuart Pankin, and Fran Drescher especially her attempt to have sex with Wuhl in the car. The cop scene in the clogged bathroom was a little embarrassing. The "punch" scene with some of the comments made afterwards was pretty hilarious. Many of the Danza/Pfeiffer scenes were a nice drama though I didn't really see a connection with the more prankish scenes. And I loved all those scenes with that adulterous school faculty woman and the man she's fooling around with especially those with Pankin. And how about Wuhl's version of "Volare"? Or the "one-armed violinist"? So on that note, yeah, I recommend The Hollywood Knights. P.S. It's now several hours later and I've heard the missing scene I mentioned earlier. Touching speech from that guy about to go to Vietnam about if anything happens to him just before The Mamas and the Papas "California Dreamin'" plays on the 8-Track. And the Doo-Wop group sings a fine version of The Drifters "Under the Boardwalk" as they help the pledges out. And then there's the hilarious police superior's recount to those dumb cops at Tubby's of what happened earlier in the movie...

Released in 1980, this was another crazy teenage comedy which tried to emulate the exceptional '70s films "American Graffiti" and "Animal House", and comes up short. The loose plot takes place in 1965 (even though some of the characters retain their late-seventies hairstyles) and is centered around the closing of Tubby's, a favorite local teen hangout. There's a group of pranksters called The Hollywood Knights who decide to say farewell to Tubby's' by playing practical jokes on stuffy adults and police officers. This includes spiking the punch at a party, stuffing the toilets, and doing other such childlike shenanigans. A few of these are humorous, but most of them fall flat. Throughout the movie are strewn many classic old '50s and '60s tunes, something of a consolation. Stand-up comedian Robert Wuhl plays the lead gang member, called Newbomb Turk. He's got at least one funny bit involving Fran Drescher as a gorgeous bimbo who he manages to get in the back seat of his car, but not for very long (it's the best scene in the film). There is a fat cop who becomes the frequent victim of the Knights' gags, which isn't too bad. And last and least, we get Michelle Pfeiffer and TAXI's Tony Danza taking up unnecessary screen time as a couple going through some troubles in extraneous segments which are completely unrelated and take you out of the movie. ** out of ****

If you're looking for a fun way to spend an hour and a half, plug this movie in, kick back and be prepared to laugh yourself silly. This film basically has no plot save for the fact that Tubby's Drive-in is shutting down and the Hollywood Knights converge there for one last hurrah. Most of their hijinks take place elsewhere however, but Tubby's is their hangout. The movie is a series of comedy sketches rather than a straightforward progression. The cast plays their roles to the hilt led by the frenetic stylings of Robert Wuhl (Newbomb). Also outstanding are Stuart Pankin as Dudley (the much-maligned honor student), and Gailard Sartain and Sandy Helberg as Officers Bimbeau and Clark. One point I notice in other reviews and which I have to agree wholeheartedly with is that the subplots featuring Tony Danza/Michelle Pfeiffer and Jimmy Shine/Vietnam both contrive to slow the film down. This can be excused though, thanks to such gems as Newbomb's rendition of Volare, the one-armed violinist and the catered reception. Bottom line: it's a lewd and crude laugh-riot!!!

OK, First of all, It is an American Graffiti rip-off, but so what. Yeah, the actors don't look like they're in High School, but so what. It's crude, has virtually no plot, with the hero's outwitting the dim-witted cops time after time, but it's still a great way to spend some time looking at cars, hearing some great music and having fun. I rate this a six because some of the jokes fall flat, and the plot is very weak. If you want a coming of age movie, American Graffiti is better.

I must say that Michelle Pfeiffer in this movie has never looked better. OMG she is so hot. You can just tell that this woman was going to be a star. She was around 22 years of age at the time of this movie. She has a bit part in the movie, but her attractiveness just jumps off of the screen. She appears in a car-hops outfit, but again wow, wow, wow. I don't remember if I saw this in the theater, but I do remember thinking the first time I saw this movie that this girl was going to be a superstar. If you appreciate just looking at beautiful women, like I do, just rent or buy this movie for her alone.

Additional Irony - The Tony Danza character doesn't want Michelle to leave because she's going to be a big star and forget him. Talk about an unintentionally prescient scene. After this movie Pfeiffer did become a star, and Tony Danza became a ... sorta non-star. Kinda makes you think doesn't it. Maybe the writers knew something about the future after all?

This takes place in Hollywood on Halloween night in 1965. A popular teen hangout is being closed down. The main group there--the Hollywood Knights--decide to see it close down with a bang by playing stupid, unfunny and tasteless jokes on the adults and cops (all of whom are portrayed as total idiots). There's also two serious stories about a Knight going off to Vietnam and two lovers (Tony Danza and Michelle Pfeiffer) whose relationship is falling apart.

There's nothing wrong with crude humor. I'm no fan of "Animal House" but it did have its moments. This however has none. All the jokes are just really stupid, crude and not even remotely funny. I didn't even crack a smile once! The dramatic scenes (there aren't many) aren't any better. They're badly written, directed and acted. It's especially surprising seeing such a talented actress as Pfeiffer giving a truly lousy performance--but the script is against her. Danza doesn't fare much better. The film looks cheap, moves in jerks and leaps (it was incredible how ineptly the multiple story lines are handled) and is just boring.

The only reason to see this is to see Danza, Pfeiffer, Robert Wuhl and Fran Drescher all so young and before they hit it big. Drescher is lots of fun especially. Also there's a GREAT soundtrack of oldies. But, all in all, this is just moronic and forgettable. However this inexplicably has a following. Use your own judgment.

I I still love this movie after 24 years. This show was to take place during Viet Nam era. I would say this is a movie for guys. Good looking muscle cars throughout the show. Hey they even cruise the burger joint !!!!! Good Motown music throughout. This show is the ultimate in high school pranks. Great cast of actors. Unbelievable what teenagers can get into when they're away from home.

There are some very good moments of "growing up" in this film. Some one leaving to go to Viet Nam not sure if he'll come back to see his friends, so he hangs out with them the night before he leaves. The usual boy falls in love with girl ,then girl leaves for college stuff. Some good street drag scenes. A high school initiation quest. There are a lot more stories in this very well scripted film that are all TOO real.

If you ever wondered what your parents did in the sixties then you need to watch the fun they had. It really did look like a blast. This is a must see!

MY FAVORITE CHARACTER: Newbomb Turk

The movie is set in Halloween 1965. Unfortunately some of the music played during the show was not released until after that. Seems like this should have been easy for them them to verify. Other than that it is entertaining amd probably pretty typical antics for the time frame.

An obnoxious, inane, alleged comedy for Tony Danza fans. Lots of gross-out stuff that might amuse the odd 8th grader. There's no charm to any of it -- the movie just kind of lurches along. The fat guy from "Hee-Haw" is filmed taking a dump.

Say what you will about this movie, but in the end it is funny. Is it Shakespeare and the bard? Hell, no. Just take it for what it is, a funny, guilty pleasure that is great. I like this movie. I like it a lot. Is it an American Graffiti wannabe? Yep. But, with the group of friends I grew up with we kind of experienced a few of the things in this movie so we could relate to it. The movie is funny,sophomoric a little raunchy and dirty in spots, but so what? The story isn't too bad and as a movie it is entertaining. we get to see several young actors and comedians just starting out. This is the perfect movie to be shown the weekend of the Woodward Dream Cruise in Michigan. It is basically the perfect guys movie, because it has cars, topless and nude women, drag races, beer, topless and nude women, great music, practical jokes, insults, topless and nude women, simulated sex and innuendo,more women, farting,and of course topless and nude women. This movie makes no pretenses on what it is. Just sit back and enjoy it like any other guilty pleasure. It's a fun movie!

In the great tradition of animal house and American Graffiti is the Hollywood Knights, a fun filled movie about a car club going through the last night before their hangout is torn down. A great cast starting with Robert Wuhl as Newbomb, Fran Drescher as Sally and Tony Danza and Michelle Pfeiffer in their first movies. This movie is not the funniest movie of all time but the parts that are funny will make you smile days after.

Mother I am going to screw to someone if I can just find out how.

Astoundingly bad drive-in type movie set in 1965 California. Truly one of the worst ever made. Lots of continuity errors and poor acting make this one to avoid.

Is the star of this classic - probably the high-point of his career! But why is he listed 59th on your list of cast members?? Travesty. I almost gave up looking - thought I had the wrong flick!

Tony Danza and Michelle Pfeiffer are ostensibly the stars of "The Hollywood Knights", but cheap, flashy Robert Wuhl walks away with the picture (though it's no mean feat). Playing hell-raising youth Newbomb Turk, Wuhl is glinty-eyed like a mischievous pervert, causing non-stop comic chaos on Halloween in Beverly Hills, 1965. Predating "Porky's" with the same locker room humor, the flick apes "American Graffiti" and "Animal House" but substitutes wit with raunch, replacing adolescent sexual embarrassments with undiluted smut. It didn't catch on with audiences in 1980 but gained a small cult on cable. If there's anything good about the picture it is Wuhl: taking charge, as if he were the visiting brother of Belushi, Wuhl bellows and cackles and urinates in the punch bowl. It's tough for any actor to upstage Michelle Pfeiffer, but Wuhl proves it can be done (and with C-minus material!). *1/2 from ****

In reality it is a poor movie. The acting is Luke warm. B U T . . It is a great movie too! The plot is thin and the stories were cut short. Too bad the cutting room floor clips weren't available for the DVD.

The Cobra vs Project X race is incredible. Even though MSD electronic ignition and electric thin profile fans weren't available yet in '65. The Cobra still would have smoked the '57 and the T-Bucket. The hair-dos are more of the late '70s than the mid '60s.

I have it on VHS & DVD as well as a couple of original posters and it ranks as one of my favorite movies. The cars are great to see.

KNIGHTS RULE

If you like 30 year olds trying to portray teenagers - you'll love this! It tries to be "American Graffiti" & fails on all attempts. Robert Wuhl's character tries to be so zany & over-the-top, yet one gets the feeling that at any point he could be punched out by any other character. The bumbling cops are totally overacted throughout this piece of trash, just like the old fogies who are so insulted by the wild kids (who by the way are about 10 years younger than the old folks). I would enjoy this film more if the Knights met a real street gang & addressed the rival gang's guns & knives with some of the smart quips & physical comedy. Danza has very little to do with the group & his romantic life numbs you from start to ZZZZZzzzzzzzzz. The 1 bright spot in this disaster, I don't know. You let me know! Oh - you'll probably really enjoy this brand of humor if you're over 9 & under 14. Hard to even look at the title of this wreck without thinking of some 4th grader mocking his teacher.

'Hollywood Knights' was one of my earliest memories of my cable TV viewing days back in the mid-'80s, and is still a favorite of mine, in spite of its flaws. As noted in other posts here, it's sort of the "poor man's" 'American Graffiti/Animal House'--a "guilty pleasure" that you shouldn't have to apologize for enjoying!

'Knights' is far from the greatest flick ever made, but it definitely has its moments--despite having Tony Danza in it! To this day, I cannot hear the song "Volaré" without thinking of Newbomb Turk flaunting his flatulence in the gym--not to mention the cheerleader who forgot her underwear!

There is one major factual error in the film that has always driven me nuts, though: the scene in the garage where Danza unveils the 8-track player in the hot rod and pops in the tape of the Mamas & Papas doing "California Dreamin'" Great moment, but just one problem: the movie is set on Halloween night, 1965, and "California Dreamin'" wasn't released until early, '66!

Nonetheless, cool cars, cute chicks and great music abound throughout the film, and it's one of those movies that you just can't seem to turn off, regardless of how many times you've seen it. I'm looking forward to seeing it on DVD.

...of the better films that came before it.I first heard of this movie in 1984 when cable TV was really coming into its own and a buddy of mine tried to describe the "Volare" singing scene but couldn't get through it without cracking up...guess it was the times..the anything goes 80's.Years later I was surfing the internet and came across some glowing reviews(like many of the ones appearing here)and after finding out that the same guy who was behind "American Hot Wax"( a film I saw on cable and liked )was behind this I thought I'd give it a shot.What a disappointment...a series of low brow gags frenetically paced and interspersed with some attempts at seriousness ( Jimmy Shine's impending departure to Nam )and romance ( the Tony Danza/Michelle Pfeiffer "breakup")...scenes that have a contrived,tacked-on feel as if they came from some other undeveloped project.Its as if the writer director Floyd Mutrux couldn't decide what kind of movie he wanted to make so he just threw this up on the wall to see if any of it stuck.. and based on the comments of many viewers here it sticks just fine.

While not a total waste ( afterall... I'd probably watch film footage of Michelle Pfeiffer polishing furniture...and the cars are cool)this film is just way too derivative of the territory mined by George Lucas 7 years previous with "American Graffiti" and John Landis 2 years previous with "Animal House"...Mutrux gives nothing new to the formula other than swinging much wider with the smutty style of humor that the passage of a couple of years time has allowed.

What pains me is the comments of those who regard this as some sort of masterpiece of comedic nostalgia that puts the aforementioned Lucas/Landis projects to shame ...this film may be a suitable time capsule for your recollections of 1965 as filtered through "Porky's"-tinted glasses but you folks really need to gain some perspective before you diss "Graffiti"...George Lucas practically invented the genre that Mutrux is exploiting here...I know cause I remember being a kid in the early 60's and facing Vietnam while leaving high school...and in 1973 "Graffiti" was such a welcome voyage back to a more secure and innocent past that only two films that year drew a bigger audience..."The Sting" and "The Exorcist" and Lucas achieved that with a pittance in funding compared to the other two yet garnered several Academy Award nominations...including Best Picture.And he pretty much invented the use of a period music soundtrack to achieve realism..a technique that has been copied in addition to the use of multiple story lines occurring simultaneously that are both commonplace today.The epilogue ending with the "where are they now"?character cards was totally original and a real jolt at the time..a sucker punch that fortold of things to come and was effectively stood on its ear by Landis in his closing in "Animal House" . "Graffiti"'s success ushered in the whole nostalgia craze that set in during the post-Vietnam era...and all the lame exploitations to follow ..such as "Happy Days"...and this forgettable epic.