Ken Turner Blog Series: Influences and Inspirations Blog Entry #5 - THE GOONIES

"The next time you see sky, it'll be over another town. The next time you take a test, it'll be in some other school. Our parents, they want the bestest stuff for us. But right now they gotta do what's right for them, 'cause it's their time. Their time, up there. Down here it's our time. It's our time down here." - Mikey

 The Goonies is a film about a group of children living in Astoria, Oregon who go off in search of pirate One Eyed Willie's treasure. Directed by Richard Donner (Superman & Superman II) and written by Steven Spielberg (E.T.) and Chris Columbus (Home Alone & Harry Potter).  This 1985 movie has become a cult classic for myself and a generation of kids growing up in the 80's.

  TRAILER:

"Yeah, but you know what? This one, this one right here. This was my dream, my wish. And it didn't come true. So I'm taking it back. I'm taking them all back." - Mouth

One-Eyed Willie’s pirate ship was a real set that was built to look like Errol Flynn’s ship in The Sea Hawk. While it was being constructed, the kids were not allowed to see it; the ship was hidden on another set behind tarps. Donner was hoping to get a real reaction from the cast for their first take seeing Willie’s ship, but when he rolled the camera and revealed it, the whole gang was so shocked by the sight that they started cursing up a storm, and the scene had to be re-shot. Once production wrapped, the crew tried to find someone who would take the ship, but no one wanted it, and the entire set was scrapped. (via 10 Things You Might Not Know About The Goonies http://www.tor.com/blogs/2012/08/10-things-you-might-not-know-about-the-goonies)

The Goonies Movie CLIP - "It's Our Time Down Here"

And finally we can't forget Sloth, the deformed Fratelli brother who becomes the unlikeliest of heroes in the adventure.  He also has one of the unforgettable catchphrases of the film:

"HEEEY YOU GUYS!" - Sloth

"I can't tell... if it's an "A sharp" or if it's a "B flat"!" - Andy
"Hey, if you hit the wrong note, we'll all "B flat!"" - Mikey

Spielberg sums up just who the Goonies are: They are often a ridiculous, rag-tag, junk-food bunch of American kids whose biggest enemy is, besides the local bullies and snobby girls, weekend boredom. Never bore a Goonie or you'll be facing an adventure bigger then the entire neighborhood.

The pirates map, The villainous crooks, The underground caverns, The booby traps, the skeletons, The monster, the lost treasure, and the magic that is... THE GOONIES.

Next time on the Influences and Inspirations : A painter who locals nicknamed "Forest Demon"

Cheers
 Ken