A B&W Press Photograph for the 1978 Cult Film "Skatetown U.S.A.

Century City: 20th Century Fox, 1985. Softbound. Near Fine. 8" x 10" b&w press photo of star Patrick Swayze and four skater-dancers. "Skatetown, U.S.A." is a 1979 American comedy musical film produced to capitalize on the short-lived fad of roller disco. Directed by William A. Levey, the film features many television stars from the 1960s and 1970s, among them Scott Baio, Flip Wilson, Maureen McCormick, Ron Palillo and Ruth Buzzi. Patrick Swayze's leading role as the skater "Ace" was his first movie performance. Also in the cast are Sydney Lassick, Billy Barty and Playboy centerfold model Dorothy Stratten. Aside from some praise for Swayze's skating and screen presence, the movie was neither a critical nor a box office success. However, by the early 21st century, a writer for oddculture.com called the film "a true cult item and one of the best 70s time capsules around. [...] There's just something magical about a slutty Marsha [sic] eating drugged pizza with a bearded Horshack." The film was later shown on cable television from time to time. There have been no known licensed VHS or DVD releases. This may be owing to home video licensing woes over the soundtrack's many major label recordings.35mm and 16mm full frame prints of the movie have been exhibited at film revivals and low quality video copies made from a much faded full frame 16mm print have been in commercial circulation. On March 6, 2019, a 35mm print was screened for the first time in years at Los Angeles' New Beverly Cinema on a double bill with another 1979 "skatesploitation" film, Roller Boogie. Near Fine with two tiny staple holes in the lower left hand corner. Contains production notes and clipped newspaper advertisement taped to verso.