Finally, a decent Linda Blair movie! Blair is very charming in this lightweight, nothing-budget comedy about a novice reporter out to get the scoop on the homeless in her community, disguising herself as an unfortunate and falling in league with loner Murray Langston (terrific) and needy, chatty Bob Zany (equally good). A fresh, funny movie that probably didn't need the sub-plot about a killer on the loose; however, the concluding events are tied up nicely and Blair and Langston turn out to be a wonderful on-screen match. Langston in particular proves to be a sharp, smart comedian. Available on VHS, and well worth a viewing. **1/2 from ****
5 Reviews
Low-rent Shenanigans
LynxMatthews25 July 2003
Linda Blair does look pretty cute in this, which makes any romance between her and Langston a bit of a stretch. Langston gets off one or two good one-liners, but this film is guilty of sort of romanticizing or playing for cuteness the life of the homeless. I will say I remember when this film was actually playing in theatres. It came to Atlanta for a week or two when I was in high school. All told, not a success, but a good sort of underdog movie with a heart.
A Terrific Time-Waster
slapborisday17 July 2005
Warning: Spoilers
This is a good movie. Entertaining through and through. It gives one hope in independent films, that is, true independent films, not ones pretending to be and, say, produced by someone famous but trying to be artistic. The Unknown Comic, Murray Langston, wrote and stars as a homeless guy who takes another newly homeless guy under his wing. Linda Blair co-stars as a journalist who writes a story from their perspective, hanging out, pretending to be homeless as well. The characters are good in this film, and there are many of them, and all have great lines and enough time to truly stand out. In other words, the side characters aren't merely prop-ups for the three leads. Even the bad guy is likable, and thus, realistic. I really recommend this film as an afternoon time-waster. It sure beats Mel Brooks' film -- which he'd make a few years later -- concerning the homeless called "Life Stinks", which does stink unlike this movie that I think you'll enjoy. I mean you'd have to be pretty grouchy not to laugh at some of the jokes, and, since this was written by Langston, a comedian, they come fast and furious, usually, 7 out of 10 times, hitting the right mark.
The movie title says it all!
allWoRknPlaY6825 February 2009
Warning: Spoilers
I bought this VHS from amazon because I'm a big Linda Blair fan. And, if you're a big fan of her, then get this movie. You won't be disappointed. Any way, when I was finished watching it, I wanted to watch it again. The leads are very good in this film. Linda is adorable dressed up as a homeless person, where she adopts a naive personality, and beautiful in the scenes when she's herself.
Murray Langston is very funny as David, the male lead in this film. He has great one liners, and is tough on the outside, but heart of gold on the inside.
**POSSILBE SPOILERS BELOW**
Bob Zany is adorable as Sonny. He's a bit slow, but he's the nicest guy to be around. Watch out for a kick-ass scene(literally) he's in near the end of the film.
The rest of the characters stand out as well. I got a big kick out of Marylin, the woman who thinks everyone wants a piece of her.
Although, I think the serial killer part was a little out there. It did all come together at the end.
Good,funny,light, and exciting film. That keeps you wanting more and wondering what happened to everyone.
8/10 stars
Murray Langston is very funny as David, the male lead in this film. He has great one liners, and is tough on the outside, but heart of gold on the inside.
**POSSILBE SPOILERS BELOW**
Bob Zany is adorable as Sonny. He's a bit slow, but he's the nicest guy to be around. Watch out for a kick-ass scene(literally) he's in near the end of the film.
The rest of the characters stand out as well. I got a big kick out of Marylin, the woman who thinks everyone wants a piece of her.
Although, I think the serial killer part was a little out there. It did all come together at the end.
Good,funny,light, and exciting film. That keeps you wanting more and wondering what happened to everyone.
8/10 stars
Unknow movie for the Unknown Comic
lor_13 April 2023
My review was written in July 1989 after watching the movie on IVE video cassette.
"Up Your Alley" is an engaging shoestring production in which numerous comedians play it straight in limning the plight of homeless street people. Pic had a brief theatrical run in Miami in April ahead of video release.
The brainchild of erstwhile bag-over-head "Unknown Comic" Murray Langston, pic is a sweet tale of marginals, investigated by undercover reporter Linda Blair, who fakes being one of them. The largely unsung Czech director in Hollywood, Hugo Haas, made similar pics, "Paradise Alley" and "Edge of Hell", 30 years earlier.
Some extraneous suspense is introduced in a subplot of a mad killer preying on L. A. bums, but it works in its character study of oddball types. Langston scores as the taciturn, sometimes drunken beggar whose demeanor is softened by the friendship of a big, slow-witted guy fresht to the streets (Bob Zany), as well as a platonic romance with Blair.
Blair has a nice change of pace from her horror assignments. Various standup comics, including Langston, inject needed comic relief with their crazy routines, which fit the characters.
"Up Your Alley" is an engaging shoestring production in which numerous comedians play it straight in limning the plight of homeless street people. Pic had a brief theatrical run in Miami in April ahead of video release.
The brainchild of erstwhile bag-over-head "Unknown Comic" Murray Langston, pic is a sweet tale of marginals, investigated by undercover reporter Linda Blair, who fakes being one of them. The largely unsung Czech director in Hollywood, Hugo Haas, made similar pics, "Paradise Alley" and "Edge of Hell", 30 years earlier.
Some extraneous suspense is introduced in a subplot of a mad killer preying on L. A. bums, but it works in its character study of oddball types. Langston scores as the taciturn, sometimes drunken beggar whose demeanor is softened by the friendship of a big, slow-witted guy fresht to the streets (Bob Zany), as well as a platonic romance with Blair.
Blair has a nice change of pace from her horror assignments. Various standup comics, including Langston, inject needed comic relief with their crazy routines, which fit the characters.
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