LIFE & CULTURE HE’S CHEVY CHASE, AND YOU’RE NOT GONNA WANNA MISS THIS » 1C
Like other living legends of comedy, Chevy Chase has been fully persuaded that touring with one of his best-loved movies and appearing on stage to chat about is a great idea.
“Basically, there’s not a lot of fans going, ‘I hate your work!’ ” Chase said over the phone earlier this month. “I did it in London at one point in front of a couple thousand people and found it to be fun and comforting.”
That’s especially true because the “Saturday Night Live” veteran has developed a reputation for being difficult to work with over the years, whether on NBC’s “Community” — which he left after battles with show creator Dan Harmon — or through his feuds with everyone from Bill Murray to the entire current cast of “SNL.”
But when Chase, 75, visits Bellco Theatre on Aug. 25 to screen the 1980 classic “Caddyshack,” he’ll join Mel Brooks, John Cleese, John Cusack and others who have hopped on the trend in recent years. It’s easy money, sure, but it’s also a chance to reflect on decades of work with a friendly audience that hangs on your every word.
Chevy Chase talks favorite “Caddyshack” moments before Denver visit Chevy Chase, third from left, was in the original “Saturday Night Live” cast in 1975. Edie Baskin, NBC Studios via The Associated Press
We caught up with the star of “National Lampoon’s Vacation,” “Fletch,” “Three Amigos” and other films in advance of the 6 p.m. event.
Q : On the one hand, “Caddyshack” is an indisputable comedy classic. On the other, there are lots of younger people who have never seen it. Can you imagine what a young person would think of it these days?
A: I think they should see it and enjoy it. It’s hard to denote what you mean by young person, but I think somebody with their wits about them who’s around 17, 18 or 19 probably wouldn’t see it anyway unless they were fans of some kind. But I think that they’d find it funny and they’d get it. I mean, what could be funnier than Billy Murray in a pool picking up a candy bar that everyone thinks is a piece of (feces)? I don’t care how old you are, that’s pretty damn funny.
Q : How did the producers of this tour recruit you? Is it a one-off type deal?
A: It’s not a one-off by a long shot. I plan this coming year to travel from one place to another and do the same thing — wherever we can find audiences — whether it’s with “Caddyshack” or “Vacation” or “Fletch” or “Spies Like Us” or “Three Amigos.” These are all fun movies and I’m going to have a lot of fun talking about them and answering questions.
Q : What about it appeals to you?
A: As I was saying, a friendly audience is better than a hostile one. But it’s also fun for me because I may not have seen one of these films in a quarter century or so.
Q : Have you talked to other folks who have done this, like Mel Brooks or John Cusack?
A: Mel I saw. John I didn’t talk to about it, but I heard it was going well. That’s one of the things that got me interested to begin with — John was doing it, and he was making bucks doing it, and that was good for him. But for me, as I said, it’s just fun. It gives you an overall perspective on why and how well it did back then, or has done over the years.
Q : With “Caddyshack” in particular, do you have any favorite memories of making the movie?
A: I’ll be reminded when I watch it, but we really made full use of the golf course it was filmed on. There are things about being at that course for a couple of months and what we did at night... it really (inspired) us. But generally speaking, I’ve always felt that Ted Knight (who played Judge Elihu Smails) gave an Oscar-winning performance. He was actually able to hold it in and control it, whereas Rodney (Dangerfield) was like working with a four-year-old.
Q : I understand there was a good amount of improv on the set.
A: The Rodney line, “Hey, everybody, we’re all going to get laid!” was never in the script. Me and Billy (Murray) went at it in the caddyshack itself. We didn’t know what we were doing, and (director) Harold Ramis just told us to keep going, so we just went. We were laughing a lot because we knew it was funny, and it’s hard to get Bill to crack. I don’t either, because part of the deal is not to crack, but I remember our approach was not knowing what the other guy would say. I remember saying “A pond would be good for you...” and I saw his mouth just starting to go, starting to smile and laugh. Things like that are great memories.
Q : Do you miss that part of your life or your career?
A: I don’t think I miss anything. I’ve loved all of it since then, too. I have a great life and generally speaking, I like my comedy. It’s just what I do, and I’m very flattered that people want to see more of it.