Americathon...30 year old movie forshadows future events

I came across this article about a movie called Americathon. I have never seen it but watched a trailer of it on youtube. It's eerie how certain parts of the movie have come true.

In 1979 a strangely prophetic movie was written by Phil Proctor and Peter Bergman Starring John Ritter, Fred Willard, and Harvey Korman. "Americathon" was made 30 years too early–in 1979. John Ritter plays the president in a future America (1998) when we've run out of oil and cash. Among the hilarious–and insane–predictions for America 20 years into the future were that China would embrace capitalism and become a global economic superpower. Nike, then a fledgling little shoe company in Oregon, would become a multinational conglomerate. The USSR would collapse. People would buy expensive, specialty coffee drinks. And America would be deep in debt to foreign investors

www.oddee.com...

here is a trailer i found for it on youtube.



I know the movie itself looks cheesy but the coincidences are too many. i tried to find more movie clips on it and can't, anyone see the movie and care to explain a little more? maybe hollywood has become privy to certain information and puts the info in films. Or maybe its just a movie

Good find ,

Network is another one from the same era and soilent green or what it was called.


its either brainwashing at its fines or just art porteying life at its best .

thats not cheesy! ok it is, but it 's 70s cheesy. looks like a great one for family time. i have never seen or heard of it ever. great find. if you could
get this to catch on. you could end up being quite the little trend setter a-
round here.
sparked my interest. i'm sure i'll be look'in til i've seen it. kind of like an ear worm. ya know when a song gets in your head,and it won't leave.f&s

reply to post by randyvs


I know what you mean its stuck in my head now and makes me want to see it even more. I can't seem to find it anywhere. I will lookup network. It is funny how so many movies can imitate life events before they happen. I just hope one of my favorite movies, idiocracy, does not come true but I see it happening every day!

Just ask wiki...

en.wikipedia.org...

Wow...looks like someone had a crystal ball....

Since the storyline was set 20 years into the future, several satirical forecasts were made. Surprisingly, several of them came true:

The People's Republic of China embracing capitalism and becoming a global economic superpower.

Cliques of Native Americans becoming wealthy (although in reality much of their wealth would come from the gaming industry, mostly from tribal casinos).

Nike becoming a huge multinational conglomerate (In 1979, their "Tailwind" running shoe was just starting to gain popularity).

Vietnam becoming a major tourist attraction among Asia's wealthy and powerful.

The continued existence and popularity of The Beach Boys in 1998.

The creation of a "Western White House" (In reality it would serve as a vacation home).

The collapse of the USSR.

The depletion of US crude oil production.

Jogging suits becoming fashionable as casual wear.

A panhandler asks for "$25 for a cup of coffee" — predicting expensive specialty coffee.

The televised boxing match between a mother and son predicts reality television

A Presidential family dynasty.

An America with a devalued dollar and heavily in debt to foreign lenders.

Cool movie

I found it available on VEOH

www.veoh.com...

enjoy

funny weird movie

reply to post by browneyedgirl8


I saw this movie a long time ago. Harvey Korman is the best part in it. (One way the movie was going to be a turkey was the songs the studio advertised in it to get people to go and see it. This one flopped at the box office, but may be worth looking at today for a laugh or two.)

I thought it was cute back then, but would need to see it again. It is very 1970s!

reply to post by warrenb


Thanks so much for that link, it does look pretty funny but eerily accurate! Especially at the beginning with the guy living in his car, the people plowing the gardens and the tents outside the big city....just like the tent cities going up in America and Michelle Obamas gardens! Too bad though I could only watch the first 5 minutes of it. I dunno about that website so didn't want to install their video compass on my browser but thanks again. I don't know if i can embed the link of it here but here goes.



I guess it didn't work...



edit: can't embed video correctly

[edit on 15-7-2009 by browneyedgirl8]

reply to post by kidflash2008


Is Harvey Korman the man in the very beginning? It did look like a corny type of movie but funny.Sorry I was barely born in the 70's and just think this movie is so interesting. Just wish I could find the whole movie somewhere without downloading something to my browser.

Originally posted by CAPT PROTON
Just ask wiki...

en.wikipedia.org...

Wow...looks like someone had a crystal ball....

Since the storyline was set 20 years into the future, several satirical forecasts were made. Surprisingly, several of them came true:

The People's Republic of China embracing capitalism and becoming a global economic superpower.

Cliques of Native Americans becoming wealthy (although in reality much of their wealth would come from the gaming industry, mostly from tribal casinos).

Nike becoming a huge multinational conglomerate (In 1979, their "Tailwind" running shoe was just starting to gain popularity).

Vietnam becoming a major tourist attraction among Asia's wealthy and powerful.

The continued existence and popularity of The Beach Boys in 1998.

The creation of a "Western White House" (In reality it would serve as a vacation home).

The collapse of the USSR.

The depletion of US crude oil production.

Jogging suits becoming fashionable as casual wear.

A panhandler asks for "$25 for a cup of coffee" — predicting expensive specialty coffee.

The televised boxing match between a mother and son predicts reality television

A Presidential family dynasty.

An America with a devalued dollar and heavily in debt to foreign lenders.

Thanks Capt, I am still new to this whole ATS and didn't even think to look on wiki. I can imagine it comes in handy.

Whew...I have searched google for over 3 hours since yesterday and i still can't find where you can watch the movie without downloading something to my browser. Maybe I am too paranoid and should just do it but I am thinking I might have to try to buy it somewhere. I saw it on ebay for $49 but thats a little expensive for a vhs tape! lol Thanks everyone for the knowledge given about the movie thus far.

I totally don’t remember that movie, and it’s right in my wheelhouse too. As to all the ‘coincidences’ involved, who can be too surprised? Hollywood has always been part and parcel of the globalist agenda, and they so love to rub what they’re doing in our faces. I hope they’re having fun now, because now is all they’re ever going to have.

reply to post by browneyedgirl8


The great Harvey Korman was in the movie. He had the best part in the movie. He did show up in many of the funniest movies of the 1970s, including my all time favorite "Blazing Saddles".

Another good one from the 70s is Rollerball. I saw it on cable the other day. Bloodsports for entertainment and before they start the game they don't stand for the national anthem they stand for the "Corporate Hymn".

Not too far off....

Originally posted by kidflash2008
reply to post by browneyedgirl8

 

The great Harvey Korman was in the movie. He had the best part in the movie. He did show up in many of the funniest movies of the 1970s, including my all time favorite "Blazing Saddles".

Harvey Korman was absolute comedic genius. As underrated a performer as we've seen IMO. How many times did he steal the show with a total character/support role? His portrayal of the big-boobed yenta from The Carol Burnett show is still one of the funnies things you'll ever see. His bit in ‘History of the World’ was greatness. (don't get saucy with me béarnaise) His chemistry with Tim Conway is perhaps his most famous attribute, but IMO it was a bit overdone. Watching those old TCBS episodes now, it does seem a bit forced, though as a kid, I was waking up with sore stomach and face muscles from laughing.

May God rest the soul of Harvey Herschel Korman. And thanks for all the laughs.

wow that is interesting, I have seen several movies ahead of there time that seem to know exactly what is happening now, good find!! It makes you wonder what other subliminal messages were in old movies