User reviews

THANK GOD IT'S Friday was released just as the disco craze crested, when anything and everything might happen during a night on the town, when sex was casual, and drink and drugs were still regarded in a lighthearted manner, and music wailed and blared with the likes of Gloria Gaynor and K.C. & the Sunshine Band. Within a few years Disco would be publicly declared dead--but it still lives on in the recordings... and in Donna Summer's screen image of the Disco Diva, shimmering in the spotlight beneath the mirror ball with a hibiscus tucked into her hair as she belts out her megaton hit, "Last Dance."

TGIF is best regarded as a cultural artifact, an attempt to show everything that was shiny about the Disco world without any reference to its down sides of sexually transmitted diseases, next-morning-hangovers, and serious drug addictions. The story is slight: a disco is hosting a big dance contest, and every one arrives at the door with personal ambitions. There is, of course, the singer who hopes to hit it big; two underage teen girls hot to be Disco Queens; a sweet young thing who hates polyester and is looking for Mr. Right in the wrong place; and a ladykiller looking to score his next victim. The film is most memorable for the look of the disco, which is the real star of the film, and the cast, which includes several performers on their way up: Jeff Goldblum as the lady killer; Deborah Winger as the anti-polyester good girl; and of all people a very, very young Terri Nunn, who would later score big as the front singer for the band Berlin.

There are all the usual running gags, and as a whole the film is only mildly entertaining. But then Donna Summer steps into the spotlight--and for a few moments everything that was magic about Disco lives and breathes again. For what it is--an incredibly light, mindless bit of tinsel--the film is well done, but it has an extremely limited appeal for a contemporary audience. Unless you were actually part of the disco scene and want to revisit old memories, you're better off catching it on the late-late show. But my oh my... wasn't Donna Summer something special!

Gary F. Taylor, aka GFT, Amazon Reviewer

Debra winger, Jeff Goldblum,the disco queens herself Donna Summer??

That's right! You bet your sweet !!! LOL The new DVD has been digitally transferred to High Defenition!! It looks and Sounds GREAT !!

Let's go back to Los Angeles 1978 ! Great soundtrack, Diana Ross, The Commodores, The Village People, Oscar winner songwriter for Last Dance Paul Jabara, Pattie Brooks, basically the entire Casablance label was featured in this film!

This movie was rated PG, even tho it includes graphic drug use in many scenes, but back then I guess it was normal.

I recommend this fun movie for a rainy Friday night!

After a while, you do realize that this automatic time-capsule movie doesn't have much of a story, but it does have a variety of subplots wrapped up in a trim hour and a half. Basically, "Thank God It's Friday" is a one-night-in-the-life-of-a-disco-palace type of deal, involving a smorgasbord of characters. There are two under-age girls (Valerie Landsburg and future Berlin singer Terri Nunn) itching to enter the big dance contest, a married couple (Mark Lonow and Andrea Howard) out for a night on the town (against his wishes), the womanizing club owner (Jeff Goldblum), a nice but klutzy girl (Debra Winger) looking for a nice guy, and the harried DJ (Ray Vitte) being pestered by an aspiring singer (real-life disco queen Donna Summer). And there's a concert performance by Lionel Richie and the Commodores!

Is "Thank God It's Friday" a "good" movie in any sense? Not really, but it does provide a fair amount of amusement in its very dated way. Everything about it just screams the late 1970s, from the fashions to the tunes. Its episodic nature prevents us from getting too annoyed, since there are some characters, like Dave (Lonow) and Gus (Chuck Sacci) who wear out their welcome *quickly*. The soundtrack is fun to listen to, and Donna does belt out the number "Last Dance" which actually won an Oscar for Best Song. The performances range from even-keeled (Winger is quite appealing) to unpleasantly hammy (Sacci plays such a jerk, that you can't help but cheer when he gets slugged). Chick Vennera is quite a hoot as a veteran disco dancer who swears by his leather wardrobe. And DeWayne Jessie (a.k.a. Otis Day) shows off his talents by playing a van driver who's trying to get to the nightspot in time to deliver to the Commodores their instruments.

One of the writers of "Last Dance" was actor / songwriter Paul Jabara, who plays the guy who gets stuck backstage.

You just *know* that this one is going to show you some goofy entertainment with its spin on the Columbia Pictures logo sequence.

Five out of 10.

OK, true, it's dated, and shows its age, and this movie is far from a classic. What the hell?, see it anyway!!. This movie took place at a long gone disco in Los Angeles (Osco's), a favorite hangout of mine back when I lived in L.A. Even though the story is a bit far-fetched, its the DANCING, and MUSIC that brings this movie alive.

This is a fun movie, about a fun almost hedonistic period (remember, this was pre AIDS), when pretty much life was about just having a good time.

The one thing I remember most about the disco period is this: There seemed to be very few lines that divided, the rich, poor, black, white, latin..you name it... we all went to the same clubs, and listened to the same music. This is something you'll see represented in this movie, this cast was about a group of people that in todays society, would hardly be seen on the same street.

The group I'd recommend seeing this film now? young people around 15 to 25, maybe give them a little more focus as to why their parents are so weird!!!

This film was hugely disappointing, with only a few redeeming features (which I'll mention last). I usually enjoy silly disco-era films, and was hoping this would at least be amusing in a Can't Stop The Music way, but this was hopeless. At least Can't Stop The Music let you enjoy the music. In TGIF, snippets of dozens of disco tracks are heard in the background while various characters chatter away in one unfunny scene after another, like a particularly lame and crowded episode of The Love Boat. Though this is set in a disco, the film seems uninterested in any of the dancing, even during the dancing competition finale everyone's been talking about during the rest of the film. The one exception would be the awkward and not very disco dancing-on-the-tops-of-cars scene. It's hard to think of many ways the production or direction of this film could have been worse.

HOWEVER, this has some nostalgia value for being set almost entirely in a 70's disco. AND, when Donna Summer sings Last Dance the film finally has a few minutes of glitzy fun. For the one and only time, the music gets all the attention. It's a great song, and Donna looks and sounds like what you'd expect from a disco diva - love the big hair.

THANK GOD IT'S Friday needs to be reissued in Dolby digital and promoted like the GREASE 20th anniversary was in 1998. TGIF is a very funny film with an very recognizable cast - Jeff Goldblum even still looks the same! Does he have a painting in a cupboard getting old instead? Debra Winger, (the late great) Paul Jabara and Donna Summer and all those brown clothes and hideous cars! It was released with 4 track magnetic sound in 1978 and became quite a hit with all us flared up dance pants disco moviegoers. It is not Paul Jabara's only film appearance, he turns up in drag in DAY OF THE LOCUST the dark and scary look at 30s Hollywood. There is a place for this film in 2005 and I hope Columbia see the value. They also have a lot of other great music/concert films of the 70s that deserve another cinema reissue because of the sensational music content: WATTSTAX, FILLMORE and maybe the Fox doco CONCERT AT BIG SUR. If THE LAST WALTZ and GREASE can get out again to new audiences, so deserves TGIF and those others mentioned above. It is a very entertaining musical for lots more reasons than in 1978. The world of 1978 is almost enough alone.

I was born in 1979, so I really can't say I know that time well. My generation sucks when it comes to being social and music, I was curious after seeing "Saturday Night Fever". Yea, disco to some, sucks. But they close minded folks you really don't want to be around. OK, polyester was hot has hell to ware, Carter was an idiot, people waited to fuel for hours, but people still knew how to have fun when times where rough.

If you want to step into a time warp, this is it. It's a light hearted take in 1978 when disco was huge. You could be anyone, any color, any sex………anything and just be open with who you where. The music is great, it's got a great "happy" beat to it. Seeing people I have only heard of was really neat to see. Donna Summer and Paul Jaba make an appearance and Debra Winger from "Terms of Endearment" was one of the main stars looking for "Mr. Right". Also Jeff Goldblum is the greasy owner of the "Zoo" (Dose this guy ever age?). All in all it was entertaining. If your looking for something to challenge your mind or award winning, look some place else. If you want to feel better, relax a bit, this movie is for you.

It's Friday L.A. Tony Di Marco (Jeff Goldblum) runs the popular disco Zoo. Frannie and Jeannie are underage girls desperate to get in. Sue drags her stiff husband Dave into the club after their anniversary dinner. Gus and Shirley are a bad match on a blind computer date. Carl and Ken are hopeless in getting girls. The Commodores are performing for a dance contest but they don't have their instruments. Floyd is bringing their gear but he's hopelessly delayed. Nicole Sims (Donna Summer) sneaks into the club and becomes a star performer. Jennifer (Debra Winger) is a reluctant patron who keeps getting hit on.

This is a bad disco movie although there aren't that many good disco movies. While it's not a good movie, it has a great song. It's an iconic song that defined a genre and an era. Otherwise, this is the Love Boat in a disco with less fun. The acting and the writing are inferior. Even interesting actors get lost in this muck.

This is about the only "disco" movie that I have ever liked. To me, it really captures the time & spirit of the late '70s disco craze. Everyone from Debra Winger and her co-worker looking for guys that don't wear polyester, to the great music of the Commodores and Donna Summer make this a nice slice of '70s nostalgia. Everything '70s is represented in this movie: 8-tracks, platform shoes, bell-bottom pants, leisure suits, I think there is even a Ford Pinto in the parking lot of the disco. I feel that this movie never got the recognition that it deserved. It seemed to be drowned out by "Saturday Night Fever" and "Can't Stop The Music". If you are looking for a movie that will bring back the feeling of the '70s, this one is a great choice.

I remember seeing this movie several times in the theatre (the town I grew up in only had two screens, so . . . ) and contrary to what Leonard Malten, who hasn't really said anything positive about any movie post 1975, might say, it's alot of fun to watch.

The movie was (my opinion only) intended to cash in on the disco craze (coming out right on the heels of Saturday Night Fever), promote a number of Casablanca

Records stars (Donna Summer, Commodores) and get Casablanca into the movie

biz.

I watched it again recently (May 2002) and was surprised to find, other than the fashions of the time, the film has not dated much at all; none of the dialogue would be out of place today and the music has been revitalised in numerous recent films (54 and Boogie Nights) and through club dj's (remix).

Jeff Goldblum is at his shallow best and gives a great performance he'll pretty much repeat 20 odd years later in The Big Chill. Look for, and give me anytime, a young Debra Winger in one of her earlier roles, and see it with someone old who won't poke fun at your choice of taste.

Can't Stop the Music it's definitely not.

One night in a disco involving various characters and situations.

Most people like this for its accurate representation of the Disco Era. Its all here--the terrible clothes, music and casual drug taking. It also has a great five minute or so bit where Donna Summer belts out "Last Dance" (a deserved Academy Award winner for Best Song). But one good bit does not excuse the rest of the movie. It's badly written and badly acted full of characters you could care less about. The dramatic moments come across as unintentionally hilarious while the intentional comedy is downright painful. It's hard to believe that Jeff Goldblum, Debra Winger and Donna Summer still had careers after this fiasco. I caught it on cable TV a few years ago and it was a real chore watching the whole thing! The only thing I could think of after was TGIO--Thank God It's Over! For a much better and more accurate representation of disco rent "Saturday Night Fever" (the R rated version). Avoid, at all costs, this mess. Gets a 2 just for "Last Dance".

Every late 70's disco stereotype is well represented, including a brief shot of a working 8-Track tape player. Want a funny flashback? Grab this one. (Want an Oscar-caliber movie? Get something else.) But then, where else can you get Donna Summer, The Commodores AND Jeff Goldblum all in the same film?

Most feeble movie I have tried to watch. Did have a few good tunes but that does not make it watchable.

This film has more things in common with "American Graffiti" than "Saturday Night Fever". Where American Graffiti had several stories that take place on one evening so does "TGIF". "Saturday Night Fever" background was dancing but the main story is about a boy becoming a man. Disco music and having a day in the week is the only thing "SNF" and "TGIF" have in common .

This film takes place in a dance club called "The Zoo". One story is married couple may not be married too much longer after a night in this club. ANother story is 2 teens sneak into the club hoping to win the dance contest.

Debra Winger and Jeff Goldblum has parts. Donna Summer sings "Last Dance" and she proves she could of been a good actress!

Lots of fun. Perfect Summer time viewing!

I recently viewed Thank God It's Friday (1978) on Tubi. The plot revolves around a trendy disco on a big night, featuring the scheduled performance of the Commodores, the disco DJ going live on the radio for the first time, friends experiencing the disco scene for the first time, dance contest hopefuls, and a young lady aspiring for stardom-resulting in a collision of events on what promises to be a wild night!

Directed by Robert Klane (Weekend at Bernie's II), the film stars Jeff Goldblum (Jurassic Park), Donna Summer (Family Matters), Terri Nunn (Katie: Portrait of a Centerfold), Otis Day (Animal House), Ray Vitte (9 to 5), and Valerie Landsburg (Fame).

The film features fun characters and entertaining circumstances, with a standout appearance by a young Jeff Goldblum. The unfolding situations are enjoyable, and Donna Summer's presence is captivating. The soundtrack, attire, depiction of the era, and the use of terminology are fantastic. Highlights include the dancing on the car sequence and the heartwarming conclusion involving a married couple. However, a notable drawback is the underdeveloped characters, making it challenging to form a connection with them.

In conclusion, Thank God It's Friday is a must-see for fans of the era, but it lacks the depth one might hope for. I would give it a 5/10 and recommend watching it at least once.

What I like about the movie was seeing the likes of Jeff Goldblum, Valerie Landsberg, Teri Nunn, and Debra Winger before they became famous. When I was watching the movie on network TV I knew Debra Winger looked familiar but couldn't place the name until the ending credits. "Last Dance" is a timeless classic.

I've always been curious about this movie, and despite the fact that I'd heard mostly negative things about it, I still wanted to check it out for myself. I guess Donna Summer is supposed to be the star of the film but to my thinking she has plenty of competition amongst the many various characters also partying this Friday night at the hottest disco in town. Most of the many different characters are in there own way kind of interesting and represent a certain type of person and their individual motivations for being there that night. For some it's the dance competition, for others a chance to add a little excitement into their lives. And for all of them there the opportunity to dance. Even though TGIF is a very weak film with its share of shortcomings, I'm still glad I checked it out and if you're still in any way curious, you should check it out too.

I decided to putter around the apartment while I recorded this movie, but that was scuttled when the chick's leg with the mile-high blue platform shoe emerged from the bus. I laughed. I remember platform shoes - had a pair of my own. The laughs kept coming. So I sat down and watched the movie.

It's not great cinema, but it doesn't have to be. "Thank God It's Friday" is a silly, goofy, infectious bit of fun about a disparate group of people who converge on a disco one night, each with their own agenda. A couple of teeny-boppers want to enter the dance contest and spend most of the movie trying to crash the place. A suburban couple show up - the woman wants a good time, but the man is so uptight he spends all his time whining until, that is, he meets a disco chick with lots of pills, and he becomes Party Guy. And so on. There's also Donna Summer. Love Donna Summer!

There are so many characters and story lines going on that it's a miracle the writers kept them all straight. They manage to intersect at the right moments, making for some comic situations. There are some moments that made me uncomfortable, however, and they need to be brought up. The drugs, for one thing. They may have seemed innocuous at the time, but in reality they wrecked a lot of lives. Also, one lone young woman elects to go home with several guys to booze and soak in a jacuzzi. I found that sad and creepy. In hindsight, hedonism did have its price. Watch this movie with a group of people, remembering that you need to take it for what it is, a relic of a time and place - and feeling - that is long gone.

That's what I said as the end titles rolled.

This film is nothing more than a drawn out promotion of Donna Summer and The Commodores and a bunch of other contracted artists on the Casablanca and Motown record labels.

What little there is of a plot is risible. The dialog is dreadfully amateurish and I pity the few name actors trying to work with it. Most of them simply phone in their lines.

Andrea Parker makes the best of a bad lot.

Leonard Maltin summed it up perfectly when he declared it to be 'perhaps the worst film ever to have won some kind of Academy Award'.

Simply awful.

.....DONNA SUMMER.

All Donna Summers scenes are great and funny. If you get a chance take a look at her FEET, she has the biggest feet I have seen on a woman. Maybe her shoes were to small or something but it's hilarious.

Donna steals the show when she sings the CLASSIC song "Last Dance" and leaves the Commadores looking a little flat.

One other moment in the movie is when Donna breaks into the DJ box and trys to sing on the microphone over the track playing. The song is another classic of hers "Love To Love You Baby".

Jeff Goldblum, Debra Winger and "Doris" from Fame are also thrown in the mix.

Definitive Disco Nostalgia

Disco cult classic I'd never seen is a fun artifact of its time, but taken on its own is not all that good. The film follows a collection of characters who's lives intersect one evening at Jeff Goldbum's(!) L.A. discotheque. It's kind of like "Saturday Night Fever" meets a Robert Altman ensemble film (imagine a bad disco version of "Nashville"). Comparing this to an Altman film is way too generous because this film's episodic and overlapping stories are closer to your average episode of "The Love Boat" or "Fantasy Island." Still, the hair & fashion, the music (including a score by Giorgio Moroder), and a before-they-were-famous Jeff Goldblum and Debra Winger make "Thank God It's Friday" an entertaining time capsule, if not an actual good film.