Talk Radio (film)

Infobox Film | name = Talk Radio


caption=Theatrical release poster
director = Oliver Stone
producer = A. Kitman Ho
Edward R. Pressman
writer = Oliver Stone
Eric Bogosian (also play)
Tad Savinar (play)
Stephen Singular (book)
starring = Eric Bogosian
Ellen Greene
Leslie Hope
John C. McGinley
Alec Baldwin
John Pankow
Michael Wincott
Robert Trebor
Tony Frank
Anna Levine
Rockets Redglare
Park Overall
Earl Hindman
music = Stewart Copeland
cinematography = Robert Richardson
editing = David Brenner
Joe Hutshing
distributor = Universal Studios
released = December 21 1988(USA)
runtime = 110 minutes
language = English
country = USA
budget = $4,000,000 (estimated)
amg_id = 1:48550
imdb_id = 0096219

"Talk Radio" is a 1988 film, starring Eric Bogosian as a controversial "shock jock". It is directed by Oliver Stone, and is based in combination on the play by Eric Bogosian and Tad Savinar and on the real life murder of radio host Alan Berg by Neo-Nazis [http://www.wfmu.org/LCD/GreatDJ/berg.html] , which was chronicled in the book, "" by Stephen Singular.

Plot summary

Barry Champlain, a Jewish radio personality in Dallas, Texas, is a host with a sense of humor and a knack for cutting people down and having controversial, often libertarian political views.

Champlain's radio show is about to go nationwide. A former suit salesman, he achieves his rise to fame through a guest shot on the Jeff Fisher radio show. He is subsequently given his own show. Barry has a substantial number of hostile callers trying to intimidate him and sometimes receives threatening fan mail, such as when one caller makes a bomb threat. His rise to fame is accompanied not only with attention from radical elements, but also with the alienation of his wife. Barry eventually pours out his emotions on the audience, telling them how much he despises them.

The film ends with Barry being assassinated. As the credits roll, people call into the radio show and talk about Barry's life and death.

Cast

*Eric Bogosian ... Barry Champlain
*Ellen Greene ... Ellen
*Leslie Hope ... Laura
*John C. McGinley ... Stu
*Alec Baldwin ... Dan
*John Pankow ... Dietz
*Michael Wincott ... Kent/Michael/Joe (voice)
*Robert Trebor ... Jeffrey Fisher/Francine
*Tony Frank ... Dino
*Anna Levine ... Woman at the Basketball Game/Denise
*Rockets Redglare ... Killer/Redneck Caller
*Park Overall ... Debbie/Agnes/Theresa (voice)
*Earl Hindman ... Chet/Black John/Jerry (voice)

Trivia

* The original play takes place entirely during the on-air broadcast and there are no scenes outside the radio station. Moreover, Barry's murder is not depicted or even suggested in the original play.

External links

*imdb title|id=0096219|title=Talk Radio

References