The Chicken Chronicles (1977) User Reviews

"Next time. Try do something about the chicken smell"

[lost-in-limbo · 6/10 · 31 July 2010]

Somewhat languishing in obscurity, "The Chicken Chronicles" is fairly an amusing under the radar 70s high school sex comedy drama set during the end of the 60s era. But again the context is much boarder, thoughtful and true to its decade than one might suspect, very similar to Cameron Crowe's coming-to-age comedy "Fast Times at Ridgemont High". Throughout the feature is a running theme of sexual liberation, drugs, alcohol, absent / distant parents (where technology is used to communicate instead of face-to-face) and the affects the Vietnam War is having on the younger generation.

Californian teenager David Kessler is about to graduate high school with the senior prom rather near, but faces some problems before doing so. He's desperately trying to find the time to finally make out with his picture-perfect cheerleader girlfriend Margaret. To do so he needs help from his dweeb brother, for finding a place where they won't be disturbed. Out-of-blue there's Tracy, someone who he has known since early childhood and she really does fancy him. Also the school principal really has it in for him, although David does bring it upon himself with the numerous pranks and his boss at the chicken take away shop won't get off his back.

While it might seem aimlessly random in its structure (moving back and forth between its shenanigans), Paul Diamond's screenplay goes onto balance the authentic drama and witty comedy rather well. Even though it has an obsession on sex, never does it succumb to any crass or low brow acts or dialogues… although Silvers' character can be rather creepy. Director Francis Simon's bright and breezy direction (where the boom mike would suddenly appear at times) keeps it lively and fun in what is an enjoyably mellow throwback in spirit. The flavoursome soundtrack cruises right in. The performances go a long way to keeping it so. A fresh-face Steven Guttenberg (only his second feature, but debut lead role) is very likable as David… bringing heart and laughs to his character. However for me it was the great Phil Silvers as David's eccentric womaniser boss Max Ober, Ed Lauter as the snide principal Mr. Nastase, Branscombe Richmond as David's cool and collected, dope smoking buddy Mark and the ravishing Lisa Reeves as David's uptight girlfriend that had the memorable moments. Also there's a wonderful, homely performance by Meridith Baer as the down-to-earth, girl next door Tracy.

It might not stand out from the crowd, but it passes for an enjoyable teen comedy drama.

The cast is game but the plot is lame ...........

[merklekranz · 5/10 · 23 January 2013]

"The Chicken Chronicles" is a very slight teenage sex comedy, centering around Steve Guttenberg's futile attempts to get laid. Although there are a few chuckles, mostly involving take out chicken and Phil Silvers, this is basically a misfire. The jokes are lame, there is no nudity, and really very little story. Most definitely, the "American Pie" crowd should avoid this. It is however suitable for mixed company that can tolerate the endless joint smoking, and sexual references. The film also serves to promote the Vietnam era liberal viewpoint. At best a time capsule of innocent high school pranks, at worst a totally pointless movie. - MERK

War and Piece

[wes-connors · 6/10 · 1 June 2014]

Millionaires and palm trees line swanky Beverly Hills, California in May, 1969. When not protest-writing about the Vietnam War, curly-haired high school senior Steve Guttenberg (as David "Dave" Kessler) has one thing on his mind. He desperately needs to have (you guessed it) sex, but Mr. Guttenberg is unable to find a place to copulate. Yes, he has his own car and lives in the Los Angeles area. Guttenberg is also good-looking, muscular and athletic. He has access to all the intoxicants he could need, and lives in a specious mansion with parents who keep out of sight. And, Guttenberg attracts attention from blonde Lisa Reeves (as Margaret) and brunette Meridith Baer (as Tracy), who certainly must be among the two most arousing young women in school...

That Guttenberg can't find a partner and place for sexual activity is not entirely believable, but he is appealing in his first starring role. The story never seems as funny as writer Paul Diamond's original intentions, but there are some laughs. Funniest is nerdy but cute Gino Baffa (as Charlie), Guttenberg's more sexually active little brother. Director Francis Simon does well with his engaging cast at a graduation party. Veteran comedian Phil Silvers is always nice to see – herein, he's the manager of am unsanitary "Kentucky Fried Chicken"-styled eatery. Guttenberg claims he works there for gas money. Back in 1969, rich kids still worked at fast-food restaurants. The songs, led by "Every Day with You Girl" by Dennis Yost and the Classics IV, sound fresh.

****** The Chicken Chronicles (10/20/77) Francis Simon ~ Steve Guttenberg, Branscombe Richmond, Gino Baffa, Phil Silvers

Worth A Peek

[G-Man-25 · 9 October 2000]

Before there was "American Pie," before there was "Fast Times At Ridgemont High" and even before there was "Porky's," there was "The Chicken Chronicles." Although this teen comedy is considerably tamer than any of those later films, it's still a very amusing example of the genre in it's infancy. Back in the mid-70s when this kind of movie was very popular drive-in fare, this was one of the better ones. Everything's here....high-school hijinks, totally casual sex (way before the stigma of AIDS), copious drug and alcohol use and a general atmosphere of adolescent anarchy. Fairly obscure today(not currently available on video or DVD), it's worth a viewing if you ever see it pop up on cable TV.

This was one of Steve Guttenberg's very first major roles and he displays some of the mock-innocent, winking wiseacre bad-boy charm that he would later put to good use in the Police Academy movies. The late Phil Silvers provides some of the biggest laughs as the irascible, foul-mouthed boss of the fried chicken restaurant where Guttenberg works.

Director Frances Simon displays a nice feeling for late-60s southern California, making the movie an entertaining look at a more innocent (though no less wild) era gone by.

"You could be a student leader!" ... "Lead them where?!"

[moonspinner55 · 3/10 · 11 July 2017]

In 1969, a high school senior from a wealthy, absentee family in Hollywood--a rebel on the school paper and a goof-off at his job in a chicken restaurant--is frustrated at his lack of progress with the girls (a survey that proclaims "87% of all 12th grade boys admit to being sexually active" clearly doesn't apply to our frustrated hero). Screenwriter Paul Diamond, adapting his novel, facetiously drops hints about the Viet Cong, President Nixon, Ingmar Bergman and "Rosemary's Baby" in an attempt (I guess) to situate his story in a particular era, yet director Francis Simon fails to accentuate the film with any nostalgic flair--the majority of it looks like 1977, and sounds like it as well. In the lead, Steve Guttenberg (who gets an 'introducing' credit) is a handsome, muscular, ingratiating fellow with a boyish voice and a slightly-stupefied look. He's full of youthful energy and breezes through the movie effortlessly, yet he doesn't leave any footprints behind him. As a vehicle for newcomers and veterans, these "Chronicles" are certainly lacking. Ed Lauter does his granite-jawed act as the school's vice principal, while top-billed (!) Phil Silvers overacts as Guttenberg's boss, shouting as if he were performing in front of a live audience. *1/2 from ****

What was my Dad thinking?

[susansweb · 1/10 · 24 September 2002]

Back in 1980 my dad suggested that me and my brother go see this movie. So we went expecting a slapstick comedy suitable for a 13-year old and 11-year old. What we saw was a lame sex comedy with Steve Guttenberg desperately trying to get his girlfriend in the sack. When he finally does, well you know what happens. Plus, Phil Silvers plays a dirty old man (near the end of his career and my first introduction to him). My brother and I didn't laugh once and I began to realize that my dad's sense of humor and mine were not alike.

It wasn't until later when my father confessed his love for the Police Academy series that I fully understood how far apart we were in terms of comedy. He likes every comedy and I am particular. With this movie though, I am being very generous in terming it a comedy. My dad must have been thinking of another movie.

Terrible

[benovite · 1/10 · 13 August 2007]

Let me cut to the chase: this movie sucks. Really bad. It's not even good suckage, it's just plain bad suckage. There is no appeal to this movie other than perhaps hearing of a movie called "The Chicken Chronicles" or reading the book and thinking, "Hey I wanna see that!" Well don't. OK see it, but be prepared to be bored and feel like someone swatting you in the back of your head with a shovel.

This is how truly bad cinema is done. No story, no reason to set the story in 1969, no comedy(unless your idea of comedy are a few gross-out scenes- HILARIOUS!), no reason to see this movie.

I remember back in like '80 or thereabouts, I saw this movie advertised in the monthly HBO schedule they published and thinking, 'huh OK would like to see that'. Well it took me 27 YEARS and I finally saw this turkey a few weeks ago.

Wow now I know why it took me so long to see it: I wasn't missing anything! It's bad in a way that only a senior citizen thinking how young people act should be. This movie literally has no meaning and if it were fun to watch then that would be forgiven, but it's not.

1977 produced some bad movies, we sometimes forget that in the beautiful aura of Star Wars, Close Encounters, Annie Hall and such. But movies like this actually exist and came out the same year.

Can't win'em all! =/

Good

[manitobaman81 · 7/10 · 19 August 2014]

Unfairly dismissed by some, The Chicken Chronicles is a funny high school sex comedy. It is very light-hearted. It's fun to see. I thought this was cute and not bad at all. Filled with charm, innocence, drama and romance. I thought it was a nice mix. From an artistic standpoint, there were some plot elements and character developments I didn't think were totally needed. They do however drive the story, which seemed to be their purpose, so I can accept them. But the real centerpiece of the film is its acting; three performances in particular stick out. If you can find this obscure little movie on DVD, pick it up for sure and give it a watch.

Paging Frank Dracman! Mr. Frank Dracman!

[Dan1863Sickles · 2/10 · 13 March 2019]

Saw this movie on HBO at the age of fourteen, almost right after it came out. Even at that age I could tell it was a real stinker, a lame attempt at a sexy teen comedy that was neither funny nor sexy.

Yet there was one part that always stuck with me. The lame hero's brother gets in an accident during some prank and lands in the hospital. The hero knows to look for him under the name "Frank Dracman," because his little brother's three greatest heroes are Frankenstein, Dracula, and the Wolf Man. That moment really rang true for me because at the time I was exactly that kind of kid, reading nothing but magazines like EERIE and CREEPY and watching Universal horror on late night TV.

If that was the high point of this movie . . . well, you figure it out.

So much teen angst throughout history to explore.

[mark.waltz · 6/10 · 31 December 2023]

1969, so much happened in America, and this is just one story, a drive-in style film that deals with the fears of senior Steve Guttenberg, not that he just won't graduate, or even that he'll be sent to Vietnam, but he won't get laid before he goes. Seriously, it's much more than that, and much better than the low budget release from Avco Embassy would suggest. Guttenberg works for chicken fast food restaurant owner Phil Silvers (a wisecrack for every leg and wing he sells), and is influential on his high school newspaper which gets him into constant trouble for his controversial articles. School vice principal Ed Lauter is constantly on his case about those articles, and more.

Then there's his romantic issues with cheerleader girlfriend Lisa Reeves who won't go all the way, so he turns to rumored easy time gal Meridith Baer who teaches him a few things about the high school rumor mill. Reeves, a nice girl on the surface, is far from what she pretends to be, revealing her true nature in several scenes, reminding the viewer that the mean girl wasn't invented yesterday. Guttenberg shows great promise as a young leading man, and Silvers gives a wonderful feisty performance.

Branscombe Richmond is also great as Guttenberg's co-worker and best friend. Easy to see why one of the better teen films ended up in obscurity (like "Almost Summer" from the following year, overshadowed by "Grease"), combining both comedy and drama realistically. Funny bits are highlighted by Guttenberg accidentally mistaken for a peeping tom and his conversations with his heard but unseen mother over an intercom which is cleverly dealt with in the finale.

this movie is a coming of age riot!, loads of laughs and strong cast

[jescue · 10/10 · 2 March 2003]

my wife and i pull this movie out every time we need a good laugh, the cast is especially strong, phil silvers is actually the weak link, gutenberg, his girl friends and branscom richmond are superb as are other supporting cast members. its not really a teen flick for teens alone but also appreciated by people who want to reminisce about days gone by. set in the ultra upscale los angeles suburbs, it gives a fun look at what the "rich kids" do with their free time.

Correcting Some False Info Included In Other Comments

[city5705boy · 4 June 2005]

While reading other comments on this film, let me clear up some inaccurate info, This was not Steve Guttenberg's film debut, that would have been an (uncredited, but clearly there) role as a delivery FBI assistant in the film "Rollercoaster" which premiered about four months before "Chicken Chronicles".

Regarding this as Phil Silver's last role, False again, this film was out in 1977, in 1980 Phil played a wheel-chair bound, film studio owner in the film "Happy Hooker Goes Hollywood" which also starred Adam West, and Richard Deacon.

I saw this film at the theater in the fall of 1977, and found the home video in 1987. The film's funny, and has a good soundtrack including several Classics IV, and Canned Heat songs. (By the way there is a soundtrack to it, which I found on a trip to Chicago in the early 80's).

I feel a PG rating is pretty liberal (especially for 1977), even though there's not many four-letter words, the sex themes, and drug use, should warrant it an R (for that time), this is probably why the industry invented the PG-13, probably not R, but definitely not PG either.

Warm, funny & well done! A hidden jewel!

[starpylot · 10/10 · 19 December 2001]

This movie simply has never gotten the credit it deserves! Steve Guttenberg's debut film, as well as Phil (the original Sgt. Bilko) Silvers' last. Both are perfectly cast & are delights to watch. God knows why this movie has not been released on DVD, but keep an eye peeled for it on cable somewhere! It is a great, light-hearted, teen coming-of-age romp, yet still manages to have some serious & genuine warm moments.

Long live Frank Dracman!

Tame by today's standards, but still a good movie...

[RBu7688798 · 3 November 2011]

The best things about this movie are: the SONGS (on the original release), the GIRLS (Maddy, Margaret and Tracy) and the CARS!! The plot of this movie is sort of mediocre, but there are some decent scenes of Beverly Hills; with all of the (now) classic automobiles in this film there REALLY should have been more "cruising" scenes. The way the film was shot really did (and to me, still does) make you feel as though you're in May of 1969. Too bad it's so difficult to obtain licensing rights for certain songs--the soundtrack could have used some good Soul tunes like "Time Is Tight" by Booker T. and the MGs, "California Soul" from Marlena Shaw, or "Nothing But A Heartache" from the Flirtations. One final criticism: A movie set in California featuring three beautiful women (with High School as a backdrop) set in the Spring of '69 has NO BEACH SCENES??

Chicken Chronicles with Steve Guttenberg. Unfairly judged.

[psywizard880 · 8/10 · 17 September 2019]

First time I saw this movie, I have been out of high school for at least five years. Rented in local video store on VHS. Years later I was laid up with my pregnancy and saw it on TV again. I wanted to order it and I couldn't find it anywhere on DVD. It's a great coming-of-age movie. With 60s music I thought this movie was done very well, with an award winning cast. Phil silvers last movie. Please release this on DVD but honestly this movie has been unfairly judged. !!