# Any fans of the film "That Thing You Do" **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** movies\ **Created:** [November 23, 2008, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-fans-of-the-film-that-thing-you-do/474143 "2008-11-23T20:41:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![RikWriter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/49beb7/32.png) [@RikWriter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RikWriter)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-fans-of-the-film-that-thing-you-do/474143/41 "2008-11-24T11:58:54Z")
I always forget this movie when I list my favorites, but my wife and I both like it a lot and we always watch it when it comes on. It’s a very good flick. ---
**Author:** ![Icerigger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icerigger/32/432_2.png) [@Icerigger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icerigger)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-fans-of-the-film-that-thing-you-do/474143/42 "2008-11-24T12:30:31Z")
A sign of the old times is when White tells Lenny to visit the cockpit, “tell them it’s your birthday.” In our day if a passanger did that he would be shot by a sky marshall or arrested for terrorism. ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-fans-of-the-film-that-thing-you-do/474143/43 "2008-11-24T12:54:01Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > It was an OK movie, but the thing that ruined it for me is that the band plays “That Thing You Do” eleven times, IIRC, and when you get out of the theater you still can’t hum it. Wow, speak for yourself. That thing they did was in my head for days after I first saw the movie. Because of this thread it’s been an earworm since last night. I think it could have actually been a hit in its day. > [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > Sorry, but that’s what the movie had to be based around. Without that it just couldn’t work, pleasant as it was. A true 60’s-style hit that would have been played over and over and over would have made the movie the hit it wasn’t. _tongue sticking out smiley_ Party pooper. ---
**Author:** ![seosamh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce7236/32.png) [@seosamh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seosamh)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-fans-of-the-film-that-thing-you-do/474143/44 "2008-11-24T13:02:43Z")
I love that they are watching the tremendous (and British!) “Fireball XL5” in the TV shop early on. ---
**Author:** ![singular1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ba9def/32.png) [@singular1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/singular1)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-fans-of-the-film-that-thing-you-do/474143/45 "2008-11-24T13:08:20Z")
> [@Icerigger](#): > > Although they never filmed in Erie some of the little touches from my hometown were correct: Mercyhurst College, WICU TV12, Kohler Beer. What I like is none of the characters are really evil all are pretty decent although Jimmy was an ass to Faye. Former Erieite here as well - I never realized they never filmed exteriors in Erie! They captured the feel of State Street so well! And I’m with **Atomicktom** - with the Director’s Cut not available from Netflix, there’s no way I’m going to see it. Please spoil it for those of us who don’t buy that many DVDs. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-fans-of-the-film-that-thing-you-do/474143/46 "2008-11-24T13:35:32Z")
> [@singular1](#): > > And I’m with **Atomicktom** - with the Director’s Cut not available from Netflix, there’s no way I’m going to see it. Netflix has a “disk 2” – could that be the extras that make up the Director’s cut? I think there’s a commentary already on the main disk. ---
**Author:** ![CandidGamera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/candidgamera/32/2878_2.png) [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-fans-of-the-film-that-thing-you-do/474143/47 "2008-11-24T14:13:17Z")
I love the movie, and will stop and watch anytime I see it on TV. ---
**Author:** ![Prelude\_to\_Fascination](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a183cd/32.png) [@Prelude\_to\_Fascination](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prelude_to_Fascination)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-fans-of-the-film-that-thing-you-do/474143/48 "2008-11-24T14:23:41Z")
I too like this movie, for many of the same reasons as the first several posters. One additional: Bill Cobbs played Del Paxton, who also played Orvis in the Color of Money. In that movie, Cobbs puts down Vincent (played by a snotty Tom Cruise), when Fast Eddie brings Vincent to a pool hall. Orvis says, “This here’s Fast Eddie Felson, who the hell are you? The end of the world?” Anyone who can deliver a scathing line like that, even if it’s in a bit part, helps make a movie better. And he did no less in That Thing You Do. ---
**Author:** ![Cliffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@Cliffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cliffy)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-fans-of-the-film-that-thing-you-do/474143/49 "2008-11-24T16:50:05Z")
I agree that it’s a fun movie and I watch it whenever I catch it on. Most recently, I noticed that Jimmy’s lyrics work pretty well as an insight into his character, and they suggest that he was getting something on the side back in Erie. –Cliffy ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-fans-of-the-film-that-thing-you-do/474143/50 "2008-11-24T17:18:45Z")
If you liked this movie, you should see The Commitments. Similar story, a band coming together and trying to make it and almost doing it. I do like this movie and I have That Thing You Do on my Ipod. I remember when this film came out an interview with Hanks about directing a movie for the first time and they asked if the studio was worried. He replied that since he wasn’t doing something srazy, like a story about a guy who lives in a cave and doesn’t talk to anyone for three hours, they were pretty OK with him directing. Of course that seemed to have inspired Castaway. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-fans-of-the-film-that-thing-you-do/474143/51 "2008-11-24T17:27:28Z")
> [@Zebra](#): > > If you liked this movie, you should see The Commitments. Similar story, a band coming together and trying to make it and almost doing it. Yes! One of all time favorites! “I’m black and I’m proud!” ---
**Author:** ![melodyharmonius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/melodyharmonius/32/21310_2.png) [@melodyharmonius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/melodyharmonius)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-fans-of-the-film-that-thing-you-do/474143/52 "2008-11-24T17:58:06Z")
Totally love it. I have a set of movies that when I see them on TV - I always end up adding them to my clicker rotation. I might not watch the whole thing, but I will click over to watch certain parts that I know are coming up. That Thing You Do - “I Am Sparticus” to the end Sister Act II - when they sing at the competition Roadhouse Empire Records The Craft (no, I don’t know why) The Breakfast Club There’s more - but I’m drawing a blank. I just always have to watch them. And yes, The Commitments is a great one too. Wonder if Dewey has seen that yet . . . ---
**Author:** ![Jelymag](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d2c977/32.png) [@Jelymag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jelymag)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-fans-of-the-film-that-thing-you-do/474143/53 "2008-11-24T20:00:11Z")
It’s adorable. I never get tired of watching it. I spent some time in Erie when I was in college, and the one thing I was always sad they didn’t mention was ox roast, some of the best roast beef I have ever tasted. ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-fans-of-the-film-that-thing-you-do/474143/54 "2008-11-24T20:09:23Z")
I watch this movie all the time when I’m at home sick- it’s just one of those DVDs you always reach for. That said, what the hell am I missing without the director’s cut? ---
**Author:** ![Baldwin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baldwin/32/7264_2.png) [@Baldwin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baldwin)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-fans-of-the-film-that-thing-you-do/474143/55 "2008-11-24T20:26:04Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > Netflix has a “disk 2” – could that be the extras that make up the Director’s cut? I think there’s a commentary already on the main disk. In the newly released Director’s Cut, Disk 1 has both the theatrical version and the extended version of the movie (watched it last night). Disk 2 has some extras, such as a “making of” featurette and a little reunion of the actors, who remember it as the most fun they’ve had making a movie. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-fans-of-the-film-that-thing-you-do/474143/56 "2008-11-24T20:37:04Z")
Tom Hanks named his production company “PlayTone” – you could see their logo at the end of every episode of the HBO series “John Adams”. ---
**Author:** ![Pashnish\_Ewing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8797f3/32.png) [@Pashnish\_Ewing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pashnish_Ewing)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-fans-of-the-film-that-thing-you-do/474143/57 "2008-11-24T21:34:30Z")
I also love the entire Hollywood Television Showcase scene. Hanks gets his ol’ Bosom Buddie a role, and can’t resist getting his NASA on. Love how astronaut Gus Grissim stumbles through his lines (and how he pronounces ‘Gemini’). Anothter great Lenny moment is the look on his face after Guy answers his on-stage question with “I led you here, Sir. For I am Spartacus”. Do we know why Lenny calls Guy ‘Skitch’? Is that band lingo, or just another great unanswered detail? ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-fans-of-the-film-that-thing-you-do/474143/58 "2008-11-24T21:41:29Z")
> [@Pashnish\_Ewing](#): > > Do we know why Lenny calls Guy ‘Skitch’? Is that band lingo, or just another great unanswered detail? Because he was referring to [Skitch Henderson?](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skitch_Henderson) > [@](#): > > In a career at NBC spanning 1951 to 1966, he succeeded Toscanini as music director for NBC Television and was the original conductor of the orchestras for The Tonight Show and The Today Show. ---
**Author:** ![voguevixen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5ac83/32.png) [@voguevixen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voguevixen)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-fans-of-the-film-that-thing-you-do/474143/59 "2008-11-24T23:24:21Z")
I always got a kick out of the scene in the intro where the song “Lovin you lots and lots” was playing and the dad was demonstrating the washing machine agitator: it was synched to the music. A very brief, subtle, lol. ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-fans-of-the-film-that-thing-you-do/474143/60 "2008-11-24T23:33:56Z")
> [@DiosaBellissima](#): > > I watch this movie all the time when I’m at home sick- it’s just one of those DVDs you always reach for. > > That said, what the hell am I missing without the director’s cut? A longer, more rambling, less compelling version. JMO, of course, but I was sorely disappointed. The theatrical release is tight and right. The director’s cut…looks like the product of a first-time director. Anyway. I love all the little glimpses of Faye’s role in the band. I was “with a band” for a while in the early 1990s, and when I watch, I’m constantly saying “Me!” Faye throws darts while the band practices: me. She’s doing handclaps on the single: me. She’s in a booth selling the single while they play at the restaurant: me. Unfortunately, I never got to be all dolled up in the audience while the band was on TV. But I also never got left behind when the band was swarmed by fans. (Of course, that’s because they never got swarmed…) And **voguevixen** , whenever I listen to “Lovin’ You Lots and Lots” (dude, I have the whole soundtrack on my iPod!), I have to “walk” my fingers along the nearest flat surface on the line “You are cute as a cuddly bear,” just like Guy does on the washing machine. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-fans-of-the-film-that-thing-you-do/474143.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-fans-of-the-film-that-thing-you-do/474143.md?page=4)