Times Square **** (1980, Tim Curry, Trini Alvarado, Robin Johnson) – Classic Movie Review 9638

Director Allan Moyle’s 1980 music drama Times Square is a surprising, happy modern-day fairy tale, appealingly played, thoughtfully written, well produced by British companies Robert Stigwood Organization and EMI Films in America, and well made by Moyle.

Trini Alvarado and Robin Johnson star as two teenage girls – rich shy Pamela (Alvarado), scruffy older Nicky (Johnson) – who escape from a psychiatric hospital and hang out in New York City’s Times Square, where jaundiced DJ Johnny LaGuardia (Tim Curry) helps to turn them into punk band stars.

Among the points of interest are the TV smashing sequence (which should appeal to TV watchers), the good role for the splendid but not always easy-to-cast Curry, and the sharp flavour of tacky Times Square before it was cleaned up.

The great 80s new wave soundtrack includes Blondie, Ramones, Talking Heads, and Patti Smith.

Times Square is directed by Allan Moyle, runs 111 minutes, is made by Butterfly Valley N Y, Robert Stigwood Organization and EMI Films, is released by Associated Film Distribution (1980) (US), is written by Jacob Brackman, from a story by Allan Moyle and Leanne Unger, is shot in Technicolor by James A Contner, is produced by Robert Stigwood and is scored by Blue Weaver.

© Derek Winnert 2020 Classic Movie Review 9638

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