There should be a list of ten films from each decade that are required viewing to represent what trends the teens were spinning to in order to better understand what each generation was entuned to during their growing up years. "Roller Boogie" would certainly be one of those mandatory films to represent the 1970's, not necessarily a great film, but a guilty pleasure that still can make me smile along with "Babes in Arms" for the 1930's, "Best Foot Forward" for the 1940's, "A Summer Place" for the 1950's, "Beach Party" for the 1960's and "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" for the 1980's.
It's the typical poor meets rich and love occurs regardless of the various pressures on them. Linda Blair may be from the hills of Beverly, but she's no snob, falling under the spell of rollerskate rental store clerk Jim Bray. Her parents (Roger Perry and Beverly Garland) don't understand her desire to enter a roller boogie contest, and especially don't approve of her choice in boyfriends, or at least papa Perry. It's obvious that the condescending Perry wants to keep wife Garland in her place so this has several interesting subplots as well.
The disco music here mostly by Bob Esty is pretty much the same but the energetic young cast really seems to feel the beat and gets into the fun choreographed disco skating numbers that are dangerous in the sense that one false move from one dancer could create a real disaster. The subplot involving property developer Mark Goddard is fortunately underplayed because he's truly unpleasant character that spoils the fun. Vince Van Patten, Stoney Jackson and Kimberly Beck have nice moments with Jackson particularly adorable. This may not be "An American in Paris", but "An American in Paris" is certainly not "Roller Boogie". Let the good times rollerskate!
It's the typical poor meets rich and love occurs regardless of the various pressures on them. Linda Blair may be from the hills of Beverly, but she's no snob, falling under the spell of rollerskate rental store clerk Jim Bray. Her parents (Roger Perry and Beverly Garland) don't understand her desire to enter a roller boogie contest, and especially don't approve of her choice in boyfriends, or at least papa Perry. It's obvious that the condescending Perry wants to keep wife Garland in her place so this has several interesting subplots as well.
The disco music here mostly by Bob Esty is pretty much the same but the energetic young cast really seems to feel the beat and gets into the fun choreographed disco skating numbers that are dangerous in the sense that one false move from one dancer could create a real disaster. The subplot involving property developer Mark Goddard is fortunately underplayed because he's truly unpleasant character that spoils the fun. Vince Van Patten, Stoney Jackson and Kimberly Beck have nice moments with Jackson particularly adorable. This may not be "An American in Paris", but "An American in Paris" is certainly not "Roller Boogie". Let the good times rollerskate!