Caddyshack II: Five things to know about the worst golf movie ever made
Caddyshack, it is almost universally agreed, is the best golf movie made.
It’s also almost undoubtedly true that the sequel, Caddyshack II, is the worst golf movie ever made.
The original, released in 1980, is a sports movie classic starring Billy Murray, Chevy Chase, Rodney Dangerfield and Ted Knight. Famous lines from the movie continue to be spoken on golf courses across the country decades later.
Released in 1988, Caddyshack II was panned, scorned, mocked, you name it. Even prominent participants in the film almost instantly regretted their decision to be involved.
If you haven’t seen it, it’s probably best you don’t.
Nonetheless, July 22, 2022, marks the 34th anniversary of the box office release of the movie.
Here are five things you should know (but probably wish you didn’t) about Caddyshack II.
A box-office bomb
Jackie Mason and Chevy Chase on set of “Caddyshack II”. (Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
Caddyshack II, directed by Allan Arkush, cost about $20 million to produce in 1988. It barely mustered $11.8 million in ticket sales, making it the 88th on the box office money list for the year, according to boxofficemojo.com.
It’s not like moviegoers weren’t attracted to comedies in 1988.
“Who Framed Roger Rabbit” led the box office in 1988 at $156,452,370. “Coming to America” was second ($128,152,301), “Good Morning, Vietnam” was third ($122,231,991) “Big” was fourth ($114,968,774) and “Crocodile Dundee II” was fifth ($109,306,210).
Only one actor returned
Chevy Chase participated in the the 2nd Annual Karrie Webb Celebrity Golf Tournament. (Photo: Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
Chevy Chase, who plays the unforgettable Ty Webb, was the only movie star from Caddyshack to appear in Caddyshack II. According to a Sports Illustrated article in 2020, Chase was merely on the movie set because of a seven-figure salary movie producers threw his way. Chase reportedly had multiple clashes with the director, Allan Arkush.
While watching one of his scenes during postproduction, Chase coldly quipped to Arkush, “Call me when you’ve dubbed the laugh track,” before walking off in disgust.
Chase and Arkush both later admitted regret in making the movie. Arkush went on to long career in TV but never directed another feature film.
Producers begged Dangerfield
Comedian and actor Rodney Dangerfield in 1987 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo: George Rose/Getty Images)
Rodney Dangerfield played Al Czervik in the original and steals pretty much every scene he’s in. But he wasn’t going anywhere near Caddyshack II. According to IMDB, movie producers reportedly begged the comedian to sign up for the sequel but “upon reading the script, he reportedly threw it in the trash can.”
Kinison also not interested
Randy Quaid, Brian McNamara and Anthony Mockus Sr. on set of the movie “Caddyshack II”. (Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
Standup comic Sam Kinison was approached about playing the character Peter Blunt but Kinison wasn’t interested once he knew Dangerfield wasn’t going to do the movie. Instead, movie producers got Randy Quaid on board for the Blunt role.
Aykroyd replaced Murray
Dan Aykroyd and Chevy Chase on set of the movie “Caddyshack II”. (Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
Dan Aykroyd played the role of Captain Tom Everett, which was basically a replacement role for Bill Murray’s Carl Spackler. Murray and Aykroyd were each alums of Saturday Night Live and starred together in “Ghostbusters.” And each played a character tasked with taking out a gopher. Jackie Mason was another replacement role. He portrayed Jack Hartounian, essentially an Al Czervik-type character.
At least there was a hit song
The Caddyshack II theme song by Kenny Loggins is called “Nobody’s Fool” and was about the only good thing to come out of the sequel as it peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100.
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