HOT DOG ... THE MOVIE (1984) from Synapse - Feb 25, 2020

[bruce holecheck]

From my Cinema Arcana FB page:

"There's more to do in the snow than ski!" Now that Synapse Films' superlative restoration of Dario Argento's SUSPIRIA (1977) is out of the way, they can get to work on the one that really matters: Peter Markle's HOT DOG ...THE MOVIE (1984), surprisingly announced in their newest catalog! The '80s cable favorite follows a young skier from Idaho who makes his way out to California's Squaw Valley Resort hoping to prove his mettle in their annual freestyle competition. He's quickly taken in by a group of miscreants dubbed The Rat Pack (led by AMERICAN WEREWOLF's David Naughton!), but his raw skills make him an instant enemy of the Austrian top contender. Wet T-shirt contest. Gondola handy. Shannon Tweed, coming off her Playboy Playmate of the Year win. Before you can say, "What the **** is a Chinese Downhill?" everyone's off for a mass-start free-for-all race down the slopes to prove who's the best, once and for all. A silly, sophomoric comedy that's full of great ski stunts, multiple horny teens, essential-to-the-plot female nudity, and the kind of non-PC humor that would never fly nowadays, HOT DOG is a perfect night's entertainment -- for those who dig these things. Considering MGM's previous DVD was a fullframe affair with only a trailer as an extra, it shouldn't be too hard to best, and Synapse are known for their attention to detail. More news to come -- watch this space!

[Frightener22]

Fantastic news!

[The Great Owl]

Count me in!

[Buscemi]

Now before anyone says, "I thought MGM had this" and this turns into a debate with people who have no idea how pre-sales work (a lot of people on YouTube apparently have the belief that every movie was bought outright and that home video rights weren't separate at one point), this was an independent film that United Artists picked up for distribution as they wanted their own Meatballs/Private Lessons/Porky's/Spring Break. It wasn't as big as those films but it still made a decent amount of money in its day.

The film was produced by the Edward S. Feldman/Mike Marvin team (who also did Hamburger: The Motion Picture and The Kindred) so I guess whoever has those two got this one recently.

[i-kari]

Never heard of this film but it sounds like something right up my alley.

[BluConniseur]

:d

Originally Posted by bruce holecheck

from my cinema arcana fb page:

"there's more to do in the snow than ski!" now that synapse films' superlative restoration of dario argento's suspiria (1977) is out of the way, they can get to work on the one that really matters: Peter markle's hot dog ...the movie (1984), surprisingly announced in their newest catalog! The '80s cable favorite follows a young skier from idaho who makes his way out to california's squaw valley resort hoping to prove his mettle in their annual freestyle competition. He's quickly taken in by a group of miscreants dubbed the rat pack (led by american werewolf's david naughton!), but his raw skills make him an instant enemy of the austrian top contender. Wet t-shirt contest. Gondola handy. Shannon tweed, coming off her playboy playmate of the year win. Before you can say, "what the **** is a chinese downhill?" everyone's off for a mass-start free-for-all race down the slopes to prove who's the best, once and for all. A silly, sophomoric comedy that's full of great ski stunts, multiple horny teens, essential-to-the-plot female nudity, and the kind of non-pc humor that would never fly nowadays, hot dog is a perfect night's entertainment -- for those who dig these things. Considering mgm's previous dvd was a fullframe affair with only a trailer as an extra, it shouldn't be too hard to best, and synapse are known for their attention to detail. More news to come -- watch this space!

[BluConniseur]

Originally Posted by BluConniseur

:d

That's great news! Always been a Synapse supporter.

[Zodiac-Mindwarp]

I really hope this means a release of Hamburger: The Motion Picture is right around the corner.

[Phobics]

I may DD if it's a new master/scan, love the film

[Worship.my.wreck]

I'm not sure what this is but for some reason it sounds familiar. I'm interested. Looking forward to seeing this from Synapse in 2025!

[Member-222782]

Apparently Synapse doesn't think teen sex movies are poor sellers like Kino and others think. I've seen lots of 80's teen sex flicks but I don't think I've seen this one. I would've remembered the skiing scenario; will gladly blind buy.

[HD Canuck]

Chinese Downhill in HD? Day 1!

Yah, it is the only way. Chinese Downhill!

Chinese Downhill - YouTube

Hands down, the best of the 80s ski comedies!

[javi92]

All over this one. Thanks Synapse.

[lilant2248]

Hell yeah

[filmo70]

It's about time!

[Katatonia]

Awesome news!

Now if someone would just release Snowballing!

[Tom Servo]

I vaguely remember this one, I do remember the title though. This must be the movie that the South Park episode "Asspen" is parodying.

[Worship.my.wreck]

Originally Posted by Tom Servo

I vaguely remember this one, I do remember the title though. This must be the movie that the South Park episode "Asspen" is parodying.

Idk for some reason I think that episide was parodying 80's ski films as a whole. It's my understanding that there are a couple of them out there even though I dont think I've seen any of them but somehow I feel like I know them. Its strange really...

[deltatauhobbit]

Love me some ski sex comedies, this will make a lovely double billing with Ski School. Now we just need Ski School 2, Ski Patrol and Out Cold.

For a good retrospective on 80's ski comedies, I recommend watching the It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia episode "The Gang Hits the Slopes", really captures the spirit of those films while also pointing out how un-PC they are.

[bigdaddyhorse]

I remember sneaking into the theater and seeing this when I was 13. It changed my world and cracked me up. I have never re-visited in fear of soiling the memories, but often do wonder if it would still be the funniest thing ever. I mean show a 13 year old some boobs and every joke after is funnier right? Think I will give it another go someday, maybe this should be the ticket to that.