The Apple (1980 film)

Infobox Film
name = The Apple


caption = US DVD package art
director = Menahem Golan
producer = Yoram Globus
Menahem Golan
writer = Menahem Golan
Coby Recht
Iris Recht
starring = Catherine Mary Stewart
George Gilmour
music = Coby Recht
cinematography = David Gurfinkel
editing = Alain Jakubowicz
distributor = Cannon Film Distributors
released = November 21, 1980
runtime = 90 mins.
country = USA
language = English
amg_id = 1:2690
imdb_id = 0080380 "The Apple" is a 1980 musical science fiction film starring Catherine Mary Stewart and directed by Menahem Golan. It is a discoesque rock opera-styled feature, set in a futuristic 1994, dealing with themes of conformity versus rebellion and infused with Biblical allegories (namely the tale of Adam and Eve).

The film was a low budget attempt by the young Cannon studio to capitalize on the success of music-oriented films like "Saturday Night Fever" and "Grease". The film was critically panned and a box office bomb when given an extremely limited release in the fall of 1980. It may have underperformed in theaters because of the waning popularity of disco music and its rather campy plotline. However, in later years the film has gone on to enjoy a small cult following.

Plot

Alphie (George Gilmour) and Bibi (Catherine Mary Stewart), two youths from Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan in Canada, travel to America to take part in the 1994 Worldvision Song Festival. Despite being the most talented performers they are beaten by BIM (Boogalow International Music) and its leader, Mr. Boogalow (Vladek Sheybal), who use underhand tactics to secure a victory. Despite this failure, the duo are approached by Mr. Boogalow to sign to his music label, but soon discover the darker side of the music industry. Bibi is soon caught up in the wild lifestyle BIM offers, while Alphie risks his life to free her from the company's evil clutches. There is a clichéd ending of a "deus ex machina".

Cast

* Catherine Mary Stewart as Bibi
* George Gilmour as Alphie
* Grace Kennedy as Pandi
* Alan Love as Dandi
* Joss Ackland as Hippie Leader/Mr. Topps
* Vladek Sheybal as Mr. Boogalow
* Ray Shell as Shake
* Miriam Margolyes as Alphie's Landlady
* Leslie Meadows as Ashley/Dancer
* Derek Deadman as Bulldog
* Günther Notthoff as Fatdog
* Michael Logan as James
* Clem Davies as Clark James
* George S. Clinton as Joe Pittman, reporter
* Coby Recht as Jean-Louis
* Francesca Poston as Vampire, Mr. Bugalow's s Receptionist, Keyboard Player and Ashley's 'lap-mate' at Mr. Boogalow's Penthouse party
* Iris Recht as Dominique
* Finola Hughes as Dancer
* Lance Aston as Dancer
* Wendy Baldock as Dancer
* Lennie Bickely as Dancer
* Mandy Carole as Dancer
* John Chester as Dancer
* Julie Collins as Dancer
* Mary Corpe as Dancer
* Susan Daly as Dancer
* Jane Danielle as Dancer
* Kathy Evans as Dancer
* Jane Faithe as Dancer
* Bert Francis as Dancer
* Marta Gillot as Dancer
* John Greaves as Dancer
* Paul Henry as Dancer
* Beverly Kay as Dancer
* Chrissie Kendall as Dancer
* Heather Laurie as Dancer
* Scott MacKee as Dancer
* Richard Paul Majewski as Dancer (as Richard Majewski)
* Peter Newton as Dancer
* Diana Palmer as Dancer
* Richard Pettyfer as Dancer
* Andrie Reid as Dancer
* Susan Roe as Dancer
* Terry Sheppard as Dancer
* Ricardo Sibelo as Dancer
* David Tate as Dancer
* Femi Taylor as Dancer
* Gess Whitfield as Dancer
* Yvonne Younger as Dancer
* Yma Sumac as Singer (uncredited)

References

* Wingrove, David. Science Fiction Film Source Book (Longman Group Limited, 1985)

External links

*
* [http://www.fast-rewind.com/theapple.htm "The Apple"] at The 80's Movie Rewind site.
* [http://www.mgm.com/title_title.do?title_star=APPLETHE "The Apple"] at the MGM Movie Database.