The Van

The Van (1977)

Sub-Genres - Sex Comedy, Teen Movie  |   Release Date - Apr 6, 1977 (USA), Apr 7, 1977 (USA - Unknown)  |   Run Time - 90 min.  |   Countries - United States  |   MPAA Rating - R
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Review by Jeremy Wheeler

Sex, drugs, arcades, and wicked custom vans...Life just doesn't get too much better than in 1977's The Van. As with the equally outrageous laser-blasting gem Super Van, this is pure kitsch nostalgia through and through. Where else can you catch a flick that's built solely around some redheaded dimwit cruisin' the strip in his new bright yellow packed-to-the-hilt van, hilariously fist-pumping out of his window because he's finally going to get some tail? Yep, surprise, surprise -- gratuitous libido has just as much to do with the plot as custom painted horsepower. It's '70s sex comedy time, folks; time to sit back, jam out to the soft rock soundtrack, and amaze at the brilliance that was West Coast teen van culture. Oh, and it's raunchy, too! With a key ingredient being the aforementioned waterbed on wheels, you can just guess what kind of wacky hijinks ensue (three words of warning: ice cream girl). Known mainly for a brief appearance by a young Danny DeVito, it's a fact that The Van actually holds other links in the film world, most notably in the direct connection with 1978's genius beach sex romp, Malibu Beach. In both brilliant teen flicks, the heroes are tormented by the aging town bully Dugan (Steven J. Oliver), a hapless muscled chump who's glory days are far behind him. Lord knows why the reprise, but because of it, both films make quite the match. So watch this, then move on to the equally classic (although much funnier) Malibu Beach. You'll get the best one-two corny '70s punch that you could ask for.