Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		3.0
Audio		3.0
Extras		1.0
Overall		3.0

Record City Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf March 28, 2020

To best appreciate anything “Record City” has to offer, one has to secure their 1977 glasses on tight. Painfully tight. Everything in the picture comes from a different era of entertainment, when variety shows where common entertainment on television, and jokes weren’t concerned with political correctness, embracing all sorts of stereotypes and dismissive attitudes, finding targets instead of punchlines. In the Wild West of the 1970s, director Dennis Steinmetz and writer Ron Friedman hope to tap into the post-“Car Wash” zeitgeist by offering a wacky comedy set inside a record store, where the hits are distributed to the public every single day, and the staff can’t seem to stay out of one another’s business. “Record City” is as loosely plotted as a movie can get, going episodic as a series of characters spend the day getting into all sorts of shenanigans, dealing with crime and sex as an amateur talent contest happens outside. Friedman serves up the silliness, and Steinmetz tries his best to shape something sellable out of the high jinks, occasionally interrupting a whirlwind of iffy behavior with musical performances and comedy acts.

It’s a brand new day of business for Record City, a music store in Los Angeles that welcomes all sorts of crazy types. Owner Manny (Jack Carter) is in deep to the mob, needing a pile of cash to prevent personal harm. Manager Eddie (Michael Callan) can’t keep his hands off the staff, targeting Lorraine (Wendy Schaal) for seduction, much to the irritation of Danny (Dennis Bowen), a young employee who’s in love with his co-worker but can’t seem to charm her. Rupert (Stuart Goetz) is a virgin looking to make his first big score, taking advice from The Wiz (Ted Lange), a spirited member of the Record City team. Pokey (Ed Begley Jr.) and his partner prepare to rob the joint, while cop Coznowski (Sorrell Brooks) sets up shop inside the men’s room, observing the building as secret criminal The Chameleon (Frank Gorshin) is somewhere in the city, looking to cause trouble. Outside, radio host Gorilla Man (Rick Dees) is staging an amateur talent contest, welcoming all sorts of bands and comedians as he strives to keep spirits up throughout the night.

“Radio City” plays in small blasts of zaniness, studying the inner workings of the business as it endures a day of troubles and misunderstandings involving a large amount of employees and customers. The most persistent subplot highlights Eddie and his lustful ways, trying to fondle anyone who comes into his field of vision, including customers. Other incidents involve a blind man tearing up the store while defiantly rejecting help from the sighted, a pair of skateboarders who openly shoplift albums, a dope (Tim Thomerson) dealing with a ferociously feminist woman, and an elderly couple experiencing a medical episode in the store. There’s even more going on in the movie, which offers all sorts of period comedy that wouldn’t fly today, while outside, there’s a talent show, if you consider Gallagher smashing melons and “Gong Show” reject Razzle P. Willy talent.

There are musical performances to keep the endeavor lively, showcasing some real energy while the rest of the effort strains to be kooky, featuring “Laugh-In” cast members and L.A. comedians to really sell jokes at top volume. The screenplay tries to work in love and friendship, but it’s a lost cause, as “Record City” is determined to be madcap, despite repeated failure to come up with something funny.

Record City Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

As far as I know, "Record City" never made it past VHS in terms of a wide physical media release, making the Blu-ray a special event for the picture's fans. A warning is presented at the start of the viewing experience, with Scorpion Releasing sharing how the disc uses only the "best elements from several different sources" to create the AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation (which is billed as a "Brand New HD Master"). Surprisingly, the production was actually captured on video(!) before being transferred to film for its theatrical release (there's very little information about this decision, which is sure to confuse those new to the movie), keeping things muddy and jaggy. While work has clearly been put into the transfer to do something with an extremely limited source, there's nothing here that's truly HD, with colors also suffering, lacking any sort of natural appeal. And forget detail, as 1977 video cinematography technology wasn't built for that. Of course, without this Blu-ray, there would be no release of "Record City," and it's clear this is best the feature is ever going to look due to its obscurity and extraordinary technical limitations. It's not a pretty disc, but it's the only disc.

Record City Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix is also restrained by the source, offering fuzzier highs on dialogue exchanges. Intelligibility isn't lost, as performances remain intact, greeting a myriad of thespian choices and disparate levels of emphasis (and yelling). Music does fine without true precision, finding vocals appreciable, while percussion and bass registers with mildness, helping to identify the funky mood.

Record City Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• A Theatrical Trailer (2:36, SD) is included.

Record City Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

A few appealing elements break through the tedium of the "Record City" viewing experience, with Lange giving his part everything he's got, singing, dancing, and joking his way with welcome enthusiasm. It's a shame the entire film isn't about The Wiz and his interactions with customers and staff. This energy is only periodic in the picture, which is mostly whiffs with wackiness, often trying way too hard to be mediocre. The feature doesn't work, but for those who enjoy time capsule entertainment, there are few movies as distinctly 1977 as "Record City."