| | | | Night Shift
(1982) |
huck Lumley (Winkler) is one of those guys who appear to have found their perfect job. In Chuck's case, he's a morgue attendant, and appears to have marginally more life in him than the stiffs he's looking after.
He gets shunted back to the night shift, where his pleasant routine (feed the plants, tidy the paperwork, listen to classical music, no excitement allowed) is shattered when he finds himself teamed up with an obnoxious, outrageous partner, Bill Blazejowski (Keaton), who is always dreaming of success, and the way to make money.
Bill is loud, crude, and out for a fast buck. He claims credit for most of the major inventions of the late 20th Century ("oh yeah. Wash-and-Dries. Did I ever tell you I had the idea for them first?"). Bill longs for his"one great idea" for success.
Chuck's life takes a bizarre turn when a neighbour, Belinda Keaton (Long), complains about the loss of her pimp. Bill, upon hearing the situation, suggests that they fill that opening themselves using the morgue at night as their brothel...
Against Chuck's better judgement, he gets talked into the idea, only to find that keeping their new business line from their boss is going to be tougher than he thought.
In the end, it's more than his boss that has objections...
 Don't forget that Night Shift is now available to order on Widescreen DVD using our special 80s Retro Assistant...
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This was one of Ron Howard's earliest director roles, and is probably his most successful attempt at all-out comedy. He's honed his cinematic skills with movies like Apollo 13 and A Beautiful Mind, but to see the genius behind the effects, you would do a lot worse than to catch Night Shift.
OK - the performances. Michael Keaton is at his manic, Beetlejuice best. He's completely off the wall as Bill, and he plays the role as if he doesn't really want to give the others much screen-time. This fits in so well with the character, it's brilliant. Henry Winkler is a revelation. We were all used to him as The Fonz, with Ron Howard as the nerdy sidekick to the brash, confident Arthur Fonzarelli. The reversal of role for Winkler works so well, it's like watching another actor. Shelly Long plays the 'lead hooker', and although there was a question at the time about how she could play the role (she's SOOO nice in Cheers!) Long gives the role a depth that surprised a lot of critics.
There were a few cameo roles for up-coming actors, such as Kevin Costner and Shannen Doherty.
All in all, it's a movie that will surprise a few and appeal to many.
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"Night Shift" was Michael Keaton's first leading role. This role was his starmaking, breakthrough turn.  -Thanks to Andrew
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Director Ron Howard makes a cameo as the annoying saxophone player.
Faces to spot in the movie:- Kevin Costner as a Frat Boy and Shannen Doherty as a "Blue Bell".
Clint Howard (Ron Howards brother) was a passenger in Michael Keaton's hearse/limo service (with the slap on stickers to hide city morgue emblem) - he was going to the prom/homecoming and was also a frat boy. -Thanks to Chris Walker
Ron Howard also makes a cameo making out with a girl outside of Chuck's Apartment building-- he's wearing a hat and his face is busy kissing some girl, but you can tell it's him by the red sideburns. -Thanks to Jimmy Marzak
Tim Rossovich, who plays Luke, the Cowboy playing the music loudly in Belinda's apartment, was an NFL linebacker for several teams and a one-time pro bowler. -Thanks to Jigi
Jaid Barrymore is Drew Barrymore's mother. -Thanks to Rachel B
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Rediscover your favorites! If you like
Night Shift or 80's Comedy classics, then be sure to
check out this list: ..... Tootsie ..... Raising Arizona ..... Good Morning, Vietnam ..... Blues Brothers ..... Heathers ..... Fast Times At Ridgemont High ..... This Is Spinal Tap ..... Naked Gun ..... Adventures In Babysitting ..... Airplane ..... License To Drive ..... Money Pit ..... Porky's ..... Risky Business ..... Twins ..... Soul Man .....[More]
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|  |  |  | | Night Shift
Locations |
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Pino and Santo's Hairstyling, Fresh Pond Rd, Ridgewood, Queens, NY was used.
119 W 56th St. in Manhattan, NY. You can see the sign for the hotel in the movie, and the sign is still there. [Thanks to John]
I was the Light man at a Massive Dance club, called Odyssey1 in LA. It burned in 1985. They filmed for 3 days there [Thanks to Richard Lindemann]
Can you help? Do you know any of the New York City, New York (or any other) filming locations used for Night Shift? [Please send them in]
|  | | | | ![[16:9 -Widescreen Enhanced]](16_9.gif) | ![[STEREO or SURROUND]](dd2.gif) | --- |
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The song, "That's What Friends Are For", which later became incredibly popular after Dionne Warwick, Stevie Wonder, Elton John and Gladys Knight recorded it in 1985, is the love theme for NIGHTSHIFT. Rod Stewart sings it on the soundtrack and in the movie. [Thanks to Cutter]
A soundtrack album was released on Warner Brothers Records # 23702. Tracks were as follows [Thanks to John]:
Quarterflash - "Night Shift" (available on their greatest hits CD)
Burt Bacharach - "Street Talk"
Al Jarreau - "Girls Know Why"
Pointer Sisters - "The Love Too Good To Last"
Rod Stewart - "That's What Friends Are For"
Marshall Crenshaw - "Someday, Someway"
Heaven 17 - "Penthouse And Pavement"
Talk Talk - "Talk Talk"
Rufus and Chaka Khan - "Everlasting Love"
Burt Bacharach - "That's What Friends Are For (Night Shift Love Theme)" (instrumental)
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Soundtrack Available:
Used Vinyl LP / Tape
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