Doctor Detroit
stars Dan Aykroyd as Clifford Skridlow, a college professor (with a habit of
talking to himself) who gets caught up in a prostitution ring and has to take
on an alternate identity in order to protect the women from another criminal
element. The women, by the way, include Fran Drescher and Donna Dixon (this is
the film on which Dixon and Aykroyd, now married, met). The women’s pimp,
Smooth Walker (played by the wonderful Howard Hesseman), owes $80,000 to Mom
(Kate Murtagh), and has to come up with an excuse for why he can’t pay on the
spot. His solution is to invent a new and dangerous partner, Doctor Detroit,
who has moved in on his business. His choice for this patsy is, of course,
Clifford Skridlow. He and the girls show him a fun night on the town –
drinking, dancing, drugs – leading Clifford to declare, “I can feel my hair growing.” And then Smooth delivers his pitch,
for Clifford to take over his business.
Meanwhile, the college at which Clifford teaches (which
happens to be run by his father) is in financial trouble, and its very
existence is now reliant on receiving a large endowment check from a man whom
they feel a need to impress. Soon Clifford’s professional life at the college
collides with the new life that was thrust upon him (but which he begins to
take pleasure in), and the fun ensues for us in the audience.
The film opens with a comical image – Dan Aykroyd
power-walking. A person power-walking is something that always looks silly, but
of course when that person is Dan Aykroyd, it is particularly funny. And this film has plenty of hilarious lines.
When Clifford is taken to Smooth Walker’s apartment, he exclaims in a
delighted, childlike way: “Wow, look at
this place, it’s positively vulgar! You must be so incredibly rich.” And
then: “Look, what utterly tasteless
furnishings!” Another line that I love is, “You can’t insult me; you see, I’m a lawyer.” As funny as Dan
Akyroyd, Howard Hessemen and George Furth (as Clifford’s father) are, my
absolute favorite character is Clifford’s mother, played by Nan Martin. She is
a complete delight and is hilarious, giving her character an excited and
playful quality, as she delivers lines like “Did they molest you? Did you struggle? I want all the details.” On
top of that, this movie includes music by Devo, an appearance by James Brown, a
wonderful dance sequence, and a Star Trek
joke at the end that I love.
Special Features
The Blu-ray disc contains several special features,
including a new interview with director Michael Pressman, in which he talks
about how the film differs from the original story, about the casting process
and other elements of the film. Regarding framing, he says, “I believed, and
still believe, that comedy plays in the wider angles.” He also talks about John
Belushi’s death, which wasn’t long before production of this film began, and
about having to cut Glenne Headly’s lines. This interview is approximately
twenty-five minutes.
Radio Free Detroit:
Inside The Audio Press Kit contains parts of a promotional package of
interviews and radio spots that was sent to radio stations. This includes an
interview with Dan Aykroyd, in which he talks about the film and about John
Belushi’s death. There are also interviews with Howard Hesseman and Donna
Dixon, as well as interviews with Steven Spielberg, John Landis and Steve
Martin talking about Dan Aykroyd. There is even a bit of audio with John Belushi
and Dan Aykroyd, plus an interview with the band Devo. This feature is
approximately twenty-four minutes.
The special features also include a commentary track with
director Michael Pressman, moderated by Russell Dyball. Pressman mentions that
during the casting process, when they saw Donna Dixon, Dan Aykroyd said they
should cast her. There are also two trailers for the film, two television
spots, six radio spots and a photo gallery.
Doctor Detroit
is scheduled to be released on Blu-ray on April 24, 2018 through Shout!
Factory.
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