The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia

1981 "You're never too young to learn the score."
The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia
5.9| 1h52m| PG| en| More Info
Released: 05 June 1981 Released
Producted By: AVCO Embassy Pictures
Country: United States of America
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
Official Website:
Synopsis

An aspiring country singer and his feisty younger sister/manager struggle to reach their dreams of Nashville stardom-as long as she can keep her brother out of trouble with the ladies and the law-in this drama "inspired by," but not really connected to, the hit '70s ballad.

... View More
Stream Online

The movie is currently not available onine

Director

Producted By

AVCO Embassy Pictures

Trailers & Images

Reviews

SnoopyStyle Travis Child (Dennis Quaid) is a skirt-chasing hard-drinking country singer. His sister Amanda Child (Kristy McNichol) is his tough driven manager pushing to go to Nashville. They've been on the road for six months and always on the run from jealous boyfriends/husbands or general mayhem. They get separated. Amanda is stopped by deputy Conrad (Mark Hamill). Travis gets arrested after hitting a cop.The plot isn't anything special. The production is relatively lower grade. The movie does have two very charismatic performances. Quaid is terrific and a solid singer. McNichol is wonderful as the spunky teen with definite edge. I love them both. The country singing is pretty catchy. The movie runs a little long but it has the fine performances and Luke Skywalker, too.
icreeem I saw this movie in the LAST drive-in theater in my area in June, 1981 (I was 17 and already had my own car). I didn't care about what movie I saw, it was just a night out with (wow, what WAS her name?)...anyway, I found myself interested with Don Stroud's excellent performance of the cop, Seth, and his vengeful, jealous treatment of Quaid's main character. He was spot-on. I have known too many men like this character; obsessively jealous over his girl, overly vindictive in any wrong they feel slighted by. The music was okay, the acting was good (although, in fairness, Miss McNichol did have a long way to go at this point, and has since proved herself marvelously)...but the power-crazy cop who beats up his nemesis brutally in the bar did the movie for me, especially after the triumphant, gloating grin he says to the girl "let's go..." and she dumps him there and then. His reaction to this was also priceless. Not a fabulous movie by any stretch, but not a bomb either. Very enjoyable.
preppy-3 Dennis Quaid plays Travis Child a skirt-chasing (yet lovable) guy who is constantly sleeping with married women and getting in trouble with the law. His sister straight arrow Amanda (Kristy McNichol) tries to keep him out of trouble but can't do it. She tries to get policeman Conrad (Mark Hamill) to help her...but has Travis gone too far? If you've heard the title song you basically know the outcome. This is a dull, totally predictable, by the numbers drama. I was one of the few people who actually paid money to see it in a theatre in 1981. I remember the snickers coming from the audience during the "dramatic" scenes...especially at the ending. The only thing that made this endurable where Quaid and McNichol. They effortlessly give out good performances and make this somewhat interesting. Also McNichol play a singer and she was a good singer so she belts out a few songs. Also, in case any one is interested, Quaid bares his butt in this one. Hamill is just terrible...but it's not entirely his fault. His character is badly underwritten and he's just there to provide a love interest for McNichol.So...this is pretty bad story-wise but worth catching if you like Quaid or McNichol. Or you can just listen to the song and get virtually the entire movie in three minutes. Pretty much forgotten...and for good reason. I give it a 5.
christopher-vock If you like road movies, tear-jerkers and real rock'in country music,u will just loooove this flick ! One of my favorites. I wish I could find a decent soundtrack in any format. My VHS copy seems to be a copy of a copy of a copy ie not the best quality... I watch this movie every 2 years.....The cast is great and the acting is too. In the old days one went to the flicks to cry, laugh & be moved or excited. This ones does it for me ! I particularly like one of the first scenes (filmed from hi up in a 'copter, showing their red truck rolling down the hi-way with guitar music blasting ! (well I do put the sound up real LOUD...). The only thing missing is me following behind on my 1939 red Indian Chief !