I think it is safe to say that in every person's life they see a film (or films) that stand out amongst the rest, forever leaving an imprint on the memory and no matter how many times that particular film is viewed it never gets old. It somehow manages to keep as fresh as it did the first time, perhaps it even gets better with each sitting. For me, one of those is Phillip Kaufman's 1979 title The Wanderers. You probably know of or have heard the song the Wanderer by Dion. Maybe you have even seen the film itself. If not I do hope this might sway you into doing so, if not then I guess I tried. Though it would be nice to think that some of you will go and check it out after reading this piece. Hope is such a wonderful concept. I will unashamedly admit that The Wanderers is up there on my pile of all time favourites so at any point whilst you are reading this and begin starting to think it is getting a little bit one sided and biased, that my friends is because it most probably is. I ain't going to say sorry either.. So based upon the book of the same name by Richard Price who also lent his hand in the making of the screen version by hand selecting all of the music himself and even making a cameo as one of the bowling bank-rollers. Set in the Bronx 1963 The Wanderers are a gang of Italian-American teens led by Richie Gennaro (Ken Wahl), who is currently dating Despie Galasso (Toni Kalem) daughter of the local mob boss Chubby (Dolph Sweet). The film begins with Richie and Despie getting all hot and heavy, Richie is eager to pop his cherry and both are doing their thing. Meanwhile Joey (John Friedrich), fellow Wanderer and best friend of Richie is confronting Turkey (Alan Rosenberg), who is another member of the gang about why he has shaved his head. It is quickly discovered that Turkey has been recently getting in with rival gang, the Fordham Baldies who are known for shaving their heads so hair doesn't get into their eyes when they fight, and of course obviously they are all bald if you might not have figured. In charge of the Baldies is one huge dude known as Terror played by Erland Van Lidth who you may know also as Dynamo from The Running Man and Grossberger in Stir Crazy. So Joey attempts to dissuade Turkey from joining up with the Baldies who are hanging right on the corner where Turkey is heading, Joey refers to them as a “bunch of pricks with ears” and overhearing this altercation is Terror's girlfriend Peewee (Linda Manz), who in turn butts in and starts a row over the comment and calls over to Terror and the rest of the Baldies, repeating back what Joey said. Terror takes exception and Joey and Turkey flee, a chase follows.
As the chase continues, Joey lets out a whistle, a signal all the Wanderers know. No matter what, you hear this whistle and you know a Wanderer is in trouble and needs help. Unfortunately for Richie the chase goes right past his house and he hears the whistle. True to the code of honour though and despite finally making it to first base, Richie leaves Despie to find out what is going on.
Nearby outside is Buddy (Jim Youngs, younger brother of screen actor John Savage), who also heard the signal. Joey and Turkey bolt right past the two and warn them its the Baldies, Richie and Buddy hear this and join in with the running away. Eventually they are all trapped by the Baldies with no where to run or hide. After a slight ruckus, the Wanderers are saved by a mysterious figure who comes in and kicks around a few Baldies. A stand off ensues but eventually the Baldies take off and make it clear that this is far from over. The saviour of the gang turns out to be a guy called Perry (Tony Ganois) who is now living in the same apartment block as Joey. So Joey shows Perry around school and gets him up to speed with all the gangs and groups, trying to persuade Perry to join up with them. Whilst in class a racial dispute breaks out involving the Del-Bombers, an all African-American gang. Both of the gangs decide to settle the issue with a good old fashioned rumble outside of school, no guns or knives. With the date now set for The Wanderers to take on the Del-Bombers, Richie looks at getting some reinforcements at the ready and calls a meeting to see if any other gang would side with his Wanderers. No one is willing to join them, and they are heavily outnumbered. To solve the matter, in steps Chubby, Despie's Dad, who manages to make peace between the two parties, due to the lack of financial gain in just beating the shit out of each other and a mutual respect with the black community, decides it would be best for the issue at hand to be resolved in a game of football, The Wanderers are also a football team and undefeated funnily enough, how damn American!. So a football game and money to be made from a few friendly bets, what could go wrong eh?..
So that folks is pretty much the basics laid out right there. That is not to say that is all the film is, it is one of those films that has a few plots all running alongside each other and then interweave into one for the finale. We get to see more moments with the Baldies, we are introduced to one of city's most feared gangs the all Irish-American Ducky Boys, who are said to be symbolic of the up coming troubles to come in America during the 60s, The Wong's (twenty seven guys all with the surname Wong and can kill you with one Judo chop), slight looks at the enlisting of ignorant kids into the Marines, no doubt to be shipped off to Vietnam. We also get to watch a fun little game called elbow tit, for those of you not in the know elbow tit is where you nudge a passing ladies tit walking by on the street and cop a good feel, the more feels the better. Oh and of course the trick is make it look like an accident!. So before anyone says anything yes, I said fun, yes boobs are fun I won't disagree, but now in 2020 I realise it is probably considered inappropriate to play elbow tit, but this is a movie of a different time and from one itself. It would have been seen as harmless fun back then I am sure, and you wouldn't be branded a serial pervert for it like now most likely. To appease those kinda folk though some will be glad to know some of the ladies do take offence and show the guys up, pride was kept and boobs were felt, so win win. However this game does bring along another character. In the film it is this scene that we first see Nina, played by Karen Allen in only her second feature film role. Nina becomes a bit of a love interest for two of the central roles and teaches them both harsh lessons in love, friendship and betrayal. To be totally honest though who wouldn't have fallen in love with Karen Allen back in the day? The film gives us glimpses into the lives of these teens and their everyday lives, what it means to be a part of something and belong. We are shown the impact of JFK's assassination upon the American public, how it marked the end of a time gone by.
On the surface The Wanderers might look corny and daft, which to an extent it is but that for me is what adds to the charm of it. Often the film is compared to the other 1979 gang picture, The Warriors. Both were shot pretty much parallel in time and Frank Marshall executive producer on the Warriors has stated that they had as many as three cutting rooms for it because they wanted to beat The Wanderers release date and be the first out. The Warriors did indeed come out first and some will even argue that it is the superior of the two. I do like Warriors do not let that be mistaken, I in fact DIIIIIIIIIIG ITTTTTTTT? (See what I did there?) But for me the true gang film will always be The Wanderers. They are both very different so it is hard to draw any true comparisons other than that they are both considered the same genre and released not far apart, but there is a clear divide between Wanderers and Warriors fans it would seem. For me though the Wanderers has more substance, and in some respects it is the most relatable of them both, I wasn't ever in a gang or anything but I mean I can relate to some of the themes explored in it, that transition from boy to man, realisations about life and the ever changing world itself. Throughout we also see themes that deal with racism, the changing of times and growing up. Learning valuable lessons along the way, even if it is the hard way. The Wanderers is fun, it has its moments that do genuinely make you laugh and smile, then others that are polar opposite and hit you right in the gut. For me that is why the film has remained with me, it is one hell of a roller-coaster filled with an assortment of emotions and grips you and takes you for a ride. Which in my opinion is what a great film does, it transports you into another time and place, and you feel fully invested in the story and the characters.
Talking of characters I am certain some reading this will see the cast listing for the film and think who are they? Well that's because the film used a lot of first time actors at that point, especially the younger cast members, saying that sadly not a lot of the cast made it into the big league after either. Tony Ganois who plays Perry went on to play Anthony 'Meat' Tuperello in the Porky's movies (I would also suggest checking those), Ken Wahl starred in a handful of other films but was mostly know for his work on the CBS TV crime drama Wiseguy before a severe accident in the early 90s forced him into retirement. John Friedrich made a handful of films and various different appearances before retiring early to get married and settle down, but his work would later on gain cult success. Then of course Toni Kalem went on to star in a few films, but her biggest success would be on the small screen as Angie Bonpensiero in the Sopranos. It would more or less work out the same for the whole cast, their careers never really propelled and they somewhat faded into obscurity. Top billing you would have to say goes to Karen Allen, who would go on to star as Marion Ravenwood in Raiders of the Lost Ark, Starman, Scrooged , Perfect Storm, National Lampoon's Animal House and Cruising starring alongside Al Pacino. It is sad really as I feel the whole cast were all spot on and it was a true ensemble, not one of them dropped the ball and all added something to the film and their characters, so it would have been interesting to see what heights they could have reached truly given the chance. The cast all gained praise though for their work on the Wanderers and the critics even singled a few out due to their strong performances.
All in all it would appear that the Wanderers is a lost classic, a real hidden gem. Even though at the box office it performed fairly well in the United States grossing $5 million dollars and then $18 million overseas and director Phillip Kaufman has said financially it did “very well”. Not bad for a film that's budget still remains unknown. But Wanderers was unfortunately pushed aside by and out shadowed by other releases of the time. Over the years it has gained cult classic status due to theatrical re-releases in the 90s due to demand from die hard fans and continues to feature in numerous festivals and screenings. It is a real shame that it did not become more widely known to a bigger audience, all the elements are there but maybe some are put off by the more surreal moments of it, almost to a degree complete over the top comic book style. I love the tone shifts throughout, one moment dark grit, the next off the wall bizarre and wacky, light hearted and grounded. All mixing to make one bittersweet watch. But one that does stick with you, it most certainly has with me during my life. I honestly do not recall the first time I watched the Wanderers, I just remember as a kid having a fascination with the art work on my Dad's old VHS tapes and it happened to be one of them, it was bright blue, and had a striking red and yellow Wanderers symbol, the gang parked up in a car sat looking out of the window almost barbershop quartet style, staring at a woman going by. The cover did almost look kinda comic book, but props to the artist on that, I can see the picture when I close my eyes. So I would say that is a job well done indeed.
So to conclude, I would like to say go out and see this godamn movie! There isn't a dull moment and not once does the pace and momentum dip. For me, the Wanderers is a real true classic, absolute cinema gold. Accompanied also, by a really slick Rock n Roll soundtrack. The use of music in the film is another thing worth noting, not in the sense that it is just because they are just really great songs, but they also help tell the story and keep it progressing. Featuring the likes of Frankie Valli & the Four Season, Volumes, The Shirelles. Ben E. King and more, the music just drifts in and out at the right time and makes for some pretty amazing scenes. In some ways it is very reminiscent of Martin Scorscese's Mean Streets, and later on some of Tarantino's films. Each track played at the perfect part of a scene, elevating it way further. I am going to finish this all up with a quote from the film, as I feel it would be a most fitting one. “Gotta go, but if you ever need us just whistle loud and we'll be there”
-Otto.
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