This flick is a gem. I loved it the first time I saw it when I was very young, and for sure have loved it every time I have seen it since. Growing up in the 80s, this hit too many “Yes” buttons for me. Slapstick comedy? Considering I watched the Three Stooges and Laurel and Hardy religiously on Sundays, that is a Yes. Classic Hip Hop actors? I would like to say my music soundtrack of the 80s was LL Cool J, The Beastie Boys, and Big Daddy Kane, to name a few. Again that is a Yes. Just the combination of both of those is enough to have this high on my never-turn-off list. But enough of the why, now let’s get into the movie.
Let’s set the scene. Three bumbling but well-meaning orderlies—played by the actual hip-hop group The Fat Boys—are sent to care for a cranky millionaire named Albert Dennison. He is not doing so great and appears to be a pretty damn cranky old man. Now kind of imagine the Three Stooges are being asked to take care of him, manage his drugs, and just keep him alive. You can immediately see where this is going, can’t you? Oh, let me add another hurdle to the plot of the flick: Albert’s nephew is trying to kill him off to get the inheritance. And that is all I will tell you about this flick, because spoiling it is no fun. Think Weekend at Bernie’s meets the Three Stooges with a Hip Hop soundtrack. Damn, solid.
The cast is why I love this flick. The Fat Boys—Prince Markie Dee, Kool Rock-Ski, and Buff Love aka The Human Beat Box—are your band of disorderlies. They go by Markie, Kool and Buffy in the flick, and take their band personas right into the nursing role. Sadly two of these fine gentlemen have passed, leaving only Kool Rock-Ski alive, but in this flick they are amazing. Their comedic timing? Surprisingly solid. Their physical comedy? Borderline genius. I’d argue this is one of the best examples of musicians jumping into acting and just going full-out with it. Like these guys are not actors, but I always thought they had solid chops. I think if this band and this movie came out now, they would have a solid five picture deal. Maybe the band name wouldn’t fly, but they were only going to be the Fat Boys. I don’t think the original name The Disco 3 pulls it off. Okay, back to the cast. Playing the old man Albert is Ralph Bellamy. Yes, that Ralph Bellamy. Randolph Duke from Trading Places and Coming to America. The man is a legend when you realize he had been acting since 1931. Holy Shit, he was in stuff with Clark Gable. And then to see him acting alongside The Fat Boys is cinema magic. The evil nephew is played by Anthony Geary, best known as Luke from General Hospital, the soap that my wife would always watch and talk to me about. Also is Philo in the great Weird Al UHF flick (See Vol 1). He has solid comic timing and you can tell is having fun. Two more from the cast. Tony Plana plays Miguel and I know him best as Jefe from the Steve Martin, Chevy Chase, Martin Short The Three Amigos. You will recognize him immediately. And lastly, the Pizza Delivery guy is played by Ray Parker Jr. You know, the guy that wrote the Ghostbusters song? Cool cameo.
Behind the scenes, we’ve got director Michael Schultz, who honestly doesn’t get enough credit for how many iconic comedies he’s helmed. This man did Car Wash, Krush Groove, Cooley High, Which Way Is Up?—the man knows how to direct comedy and music. Disorderlies might be his silliest project, but he is masterful with this one. Did I forget to mention The Last Dragon? Damn, this guy is an amazing director. The screenplay comes from Mark Feldberg and Mitchell Klebanoff, who also helped write Beverly Hills Ninja years later. That kind of makes sense. The humor is slapstick, absurd, and sprinkled with food fights. Solid Chris Farley flick.
And of course, let’s not forget the music. This movie is basically a long Fat Boys music video disguised as a movie, but it works. The soundtrack is pure ‘80s hip-hop gold. And the moment they perform Baby, You’re a Rich Man in front of the classic 80s video cameras. Oscar-worthy. Okay, maybe not Oscar-worthy, but unforgettable.
My favorite part—quotes:
- “Okay now, there were sixteen chocolate cakes in that refrigerator. Where are they?”
- Kool “I don’t wanna be where I’m not wanted.” Markie “You’re always where you’re not wanted.”
- You guys kill me! Another night like this and I’ll die.
What more can I say about this flick? I have a piece of my heart for the Fat Boys. “Can You Feel It?” by them is a top twenty song of all time for me. And sadly with only one left alive, I was never able to see them ever perform. But watching this film makes me think of a universe where they are killing it and they took over showbiz like somehow Kevin Hart did here. I am still on the hunt for the Grand Royal magazine that came out with a one page of RIP Buff on the back cover or page inside. Saw it and have always wanted that on my wall. Anyway this is a solid fun flick that even my daughters have seen. This gets approved over the normal stuff I watch, so let’s add Harper and Marlowe approved. Looks like it is four bucks on Apple TV, and well worth it. If you hate it, I owe you a hamburger.
Last last note: I didn’t realize that their manager had a cameo in the flick. That was cool to see. I believe also was the producer of most of their albums, so that is cool for him to be thrown in there. Also another quick cameo in this is a driver played by Rick Nielsen. The lead guitarist/singer in Cheap Trick. Crazy.
