PRIVATE PARTS [1997] a review by Shlomoh Sherman

PRIVATE PARTS  [1997] Directed by Betty Thomas Written by Michael Kalesniko and Len Blum, based on the book by Howard Stern Cast: Howard Stern, Mary McCormack, Robin Quivers, Fred Norris, Paul Giamatti Release Date: March 7, 1997 (USA) Plot: The auto-biographical story of Howard Stern, the radio-rebel who is now also a TV-personality, an author and a movie star. Plot Keywords: radio - detroit - nbc - disc jockey - college Genre: Biography - Comedy - Drama Running Time: 109 minutes MPAA Rating "R" (for language, nudity, and sexual humor) Country: USA Language: English Release Date: March 7, 1997 (USA) Also Known As: Howard Stern's Private Parts See more » Filming Locations: Astoria, Queens, New York City, New York, USA See more » Box Office Budget: $20,000,000 (estimated) Opening Weekend: $14,616,333 (USA) (7 March 1997) Gross: $41,198,146 (USA) (6 June 1997) Company Credits: Production Co: Paramount Pictures, Rysher Entertainment, Northern Lights Entertainment Taglines: He turned on everyone who tuned in! Never before has a man done so much with so little. In the tradition of great rebels like George Washington, James Dean, Malcolm X, Abraham Lincoln and Lenny Bruce ... One man is still revolting!

Storyline: I want to say at the outset that I am, and have always been, one of Howard Stern's biggest fans. Therefore, it would be hard for me not to give this film a super great review. But as everyone who follows Howard's career knows, there have been no bad reviews of the film. From the opening to the closing, you just sit there enchanted, wishing the film won't end just yet. Howard says he waited four years to make this film story of his life, waiting for the right script, the right director and the right producer, and the wait has paid off. The film follows Howard's career from his boyhood in Roosevelt, Long Island, New York to his rise as a super star dj at WNBC in New York City. His radio crew are also featured in the film, including Robin Quivers, Fred Norris, and Jackie Martling, with brief appearences by Gary Dell'Abate and Stuttering John Melendes. The high points of the film are the depictions of Howard's relationship with his program director at WNBC (Pig Vomit) wonderfully played by Paul Giamatti, and his love relationship with his wife Allison, played by the charming and pretty Mary McCormack. As I watched the film, I actually remembered many of the radio bits that it reprises. Howard is also remarkably made up to look as he did back in the early 1980s when I first discovered him on the air. There are some poignant moments in the film, especially between Howard and his wife. There are also some really funny moments. My personal opinion is that they could have included many more radio bits to make it even funnier. The acting is fair. Don't go to see the movie expecting Olivier and you will be happy. The sets and cinematography are very good. Howard's opening reenactment entrance as Fartman at the Academy Awards is handled superbly. This is a really good movie that most people can see. The film contains some profanity and sexual inuendo, so parental discretion is a must. But in general, most audiences will enjoy it as long as they don't go, expecting to see GONE WITH THE WIND. The musical soundtrack is abolutely riveting. From the opening credits' CALL ME THE AMERICAN NIGHTMARE (Howard with Rob Zombie) to the closing credits' I'M A TORTURED MAN (Howard with the Dust Brothers), the music rocks. New York 3-19-97

Did You Know? Trivia: Howard Stern, Robin Quivers, and Fred Norris were still doing their morning radio show five days a week during production on the film. Every morning, they would go immediately to the set after the show. Howard Stern's wife Alison Stern appears as an NBC phone operator. Philip Seymour Hoffman was considered for the role of Kenny 'Pig Vomit' Rushton. Mary McCormack originally did not want to accept the role of Alison because of Howard Stern (I)''s controversial reputation. She accepted the chance to audition only because she wanted to meet director Betty Thomas. When McCormack told Thomas that she was refusing the role, Thomas encouraged her to listen to Stern's radio show and meet him in person. McCormack became a fan of the show and accepted the role. Howard Stern was allowed to improvise the final monologue in which he talks to the camera. Only one take was filmed. The movie showing in the theater where Howard goes to view the premiere with the B-movie actress is called "Die Watching". Actress Melanie Good, who plays the B-movie actress, starred in a movie of that name in 1993 (Die Watching (1993)). According to Howard Stern, he was fully aroused during the bathtub scene with Melanie Good. This explains why when he leaves the tub, he is bent over and covers his crotch. John Stamos introduces Howard's Fartman character in the opening scene but in real life it was Luke Perry. Perry later admitted to Stern that he feared the movie would not be good and turned down the chance to play himself. Final on-screen appearance of Tiny Tim. He died months before this movie was released. According to Howard Stern, he at first believed that he would be able to improvise throughout the movie, as he does on his radio show, and did not memorize his lines. Producer Ivan Reitman had to pull him aside and explain to him that he needed to learn his lines as scripted. The film's opening "Fartman" sequence is based on Howard Stern's appearance on the 1992 MTV Video Music Awards. Stern (as Fartman) and Luke Perry (John Stamos in the film) presented the award for Best Metal/Hard Rock Video to Metallica for their "Enter Sandman" video; drummer Lars Ulrich and lead guitarist Kirk Hammett accepted the award. Perry and a female audience member managed to each grab a handful of Fartman's posterior, while Ulrich grabbed Fartman's codpiece. The other nominees for Best Metal/Hard Rock Video were "Let's Get Rocked" by Def Leppard, "Everything About You" by Ugly Kid Joe and "Right Now" by Van Halen. On May 23, 2001, Howard Stern said on his radio show that the scene where the Doc Of Rock goofs on him and calls him Big Bird was actually based on an incident with rock vocalist Steve Perry (of the band Journey). Stern recalled, "I walked in and he was on another guy's show . . . and he was like, 'Hey, look at this douchebag'. Remember in my movie the Doc Of Rock is goofing on me? That wasn't based on the Doc Of Rock, that was based on Steve Perry . . . Yeah, he just goofed on me. 'Hey Big Bird, what are you doing?'" Julia Louis-Dreyfus was originally cast as Alison, but backed out to spend time with her family. The vignettes with Gary Dell'Abate were improvised. The character of Kenny 'Pig Vomit' Rushton is based on Kevin Metheny, the WNBC radio program director at the time. In real life, Howard called him 'Pig Virus', not 'Pig Vomit'. Pig Vomit was the name of the group that did Howard's opening theme song for his radio show at the time. The live performance of AC/DC was filmed at Bryant Park in New York City in July 1996. For the scenes that featured Howard Stern in high school, filming was done at Union High School in Union, NJ. Artie Lange, who would join "The Howard Stern Show" years later, graduated from the very same school. Jeff Goldblum was originally considered to play Howard. The "so called seven dirty words" the radio executives tell Howard he can't use are based on a list invented by comedian George Carlin. The film's use of interviews with the characters in between scenes is similar to the film Lenny (1974) which, according to the book, Howard Stern saw on his first date with future wife Alison Stern. Howard Stern was sick with the flu for two weeks during filming. In the beginning stages of pre-production, John G. Avildsen was on board to direct. Howard Stern discussed John's work on his radio show, and both he and Stern spent time discussing the project. Goofs: Howard is seen watching Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous in 1982. The show premiered in 1984. Quotes: Howard (as MamaLookaboobooday): "Kill Kill Kill the White Man" by Eugene Mamalookaboobooday. Eugene is my pen name 'cause I wrote this while I was in the Pen. Crazy Credits: At the Academy Awards ceremony, Mia Farrow presents a "Best Actor" award to Howard. Recent Posts: Movie ruined by Howards split from wife plissken99 Discuss Private Parts (1997) on the IMDb message boards

Soundtracks: The Great American Nightmare Written by Rob Zombie & Charlie Clouser Performed by Rob Zombie with Howard Stern Courtesy of Geffen Records Pretend Written by Lew Douglas, Cliff Parman, Dan Belloc & Frank LaVera Performed by Nat 'King' Cole (as Nat King Cole) Courtesy of Capitol Records Under License from EMI-Capitol Music Special Markets Flower Duet From Lachme Written by Léo Delibes (as Leo Delibes) The Lion Sleeps Tonight Original written by Solomon Linda Adapted and arranged by Hugo Peretti, Luigi Creatore, George David Weiss and Albert Stanton Performed by The Tokens Courtesy of The RCA Records Label of BMG Entertainment Lomir Singen Ciri Bim, Ciri Bom Traditional Performed by Theatre Bucharest Courtesy of LaserLight Digital By Arrangement with Source/Q Papa Was A Rollin' Stone Written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong Performed by The Temptations Courtesy of Motown Record Company, L.P. By Arrangement with PolyGram Film & TV Licensing Moonglow Written by Will Hudson, Edgar De Lange (as Edgar DeLange) & Irving Mills Performed by Benny Goodman Courtesy of The RCA Records Label of BMG Entertainment Blue Moon Written by Richard Rodgers & Lorenz Hart Performed by The Marcels Courtesy of Rhino Records By Arrangement with Warner Special Products Whatever Will Be, Will Be (Que Sera, Sera) Written by Ray Evans & Jay Livingston Performed by Doris Day Courtesy of Columbia Records By Arrangement with Sony Music Licensing Fever Written by Otis Blackwell (as John Davenport) & Eddie Cooley (as Eddie J. Cooley) Performed by Peggy Lee Courtesy of Capitol Records Under License from EMI-Capitol Music Special Markets Pick Up The Pieces Written by Roger Ball, Malcolm Duncan, Alan Gorrie, Robbie McIntosh (as Robert McIntosh), Onnie McIntyre (as Owen McIntyre) & Hamish Stuart Performed by Average White Band Courtesy of Atlantic Recording Corp. & Average White Band By Arrangement with Warner Special Products Mama Look-A Boo Boo Written by Lord Melody Performed by Donny Gerrard Arranged by Van Dyke Parks Smoke On The Water Written by Ritchie Blackmore (as Richard Blackmore), Ian Gillan, Roger Glover, Jon Lord & Ian Paice Performed by Deep Purple Courtesy of Warner Bros. Records Inc. & EMI Records UK By Arrangement with Warner Special Products In This Place Written and Performed by Robin Trower Courtesy of Chrysalis Records, A Division of EMI, Under License from EMI-Capitol Music Special Markets Back On Your Side Written and Performed by Chris Isaak Courtesy of Reprise Records By Arrangement with Warner Special Products Tush Written by Billy Gibbons (as Billy F. Gibbons), Dusty Hill & Frank Beard Performed by ZZ Top Courtesy of Warner Bros. Records Inc. By Arrangement with Warner Special Products Tired of Waiting For You Written by Ray Davies Performed by Green Day Courtesy of Reprise Records By Arrangement with Warner Special Products Love Is A Many-Splendored Thing Written by Paul Francis Webster & Sammy Fain Performed by The Four Aces Courtesy of MCA Records By Arrangement with Universal Music Special Markets I Want You To Want Me Written by Rick Nielsen Performed by Cheap Trick Courtesy of Epic Records By Arrangement with Sony Music Licensing Brass In Pocket Written by Chrissie Hynde and James Honeyman-Scott Performed by The Pretenders Courtesy of Warner Music U.K./Sire Records By Arrangement with Warner Special Products Sweet Emotion Written by Steven Tyler & Tom Hamilton Performed by Aerosmith Courtesy of Columbia Records By Arrangement with Sony Music LIcensing I'll Take You There Written by Al Bell Performed by The The Staple Singers Courtesy of Fantasy, Inc. Paranoid Written by Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler (as Terence Butler) & Bill Ward (as William Ward) Performed by Ozzy Osbourne Courtesy of Epic Records By Arrangement with Sony Music Licensing Pinhead Written by Joey Ramone (as Jeffrey Hyman), Johnny Ramone (as John Cummings), Dee Dee Ramone (as Douglas Colvin) & Tommy Ramone (as Thomas Erdelyi) Performed by The Ramones Courtesy of Sire Records By Arrangement with Warner Special Products The Wind Cries Mary Written and Performed by Jimi Hendrix Courtesy of Experience Hendrix, LLC and MCA Records By Arrangement with Universal Music Special Markets Cattle Call Written by Tex Owens Performed by Eddy Arnold Courtesy of The RCA Records Label of BMG Entertainment Jamie's Cryin' Written by Edward Van Halen, Alex Van Halen, Michael Anthony & David Lee Roth Performed by Van Halen Courtesy of Warner Bros. Records Inc. By Arrangement with Warner Special Products Cat Scratch Fever Written and Performed by Ted Nugent Courtesy of Epic Records By Arrangement with Sony Music Licensing All Along The Watchtower Written by Bob Dylan Performed by Jimi Hendrix Courtesy of Experience Hendrix, LLC and MCA Records By Arrangement with Universal Music Special Markets Keep It Comin' Love Written by Harry Wayne Casey (as Harry Casey) & Richard Finch Performed by KC & The Sunshine Band Courtesy of Rhino Records By Arrangement with Warner Special Products Whip It Written by Mark Mothersbaugh & Gerald V. Casale (as Gerald Casale) Performed by Devo Courtesy of Warner Bros. Records Inc. By Arrangement with Warner Special Products Tainted Love Written by Ed Cobb Performed by Soft Cell Courtesy of Some Bizarre and Mercury Records Limited By Arrangement with PolyGram Film & TV Licensing Dance The Night Away Written by Edward Van Halen, Alex Van Halen, Michael Anthony & David Lee Roth Performed by Van Halen Courtesy of Warner Bros. Records Inc. By Arrangement with Warner Special Products Match Game Theme Song Written by Robert Israel Courtesy of All American Music Group Syncopated Clock Written by Leroy Anderson Performed by Arthur Fiedler & Boston Pops Orchestra (as The Boston Pops) Courtesy of BMG Classics, A Division of BMG Entertainment Come With Me Now Written by Norman Gimbel (as Norman Gimbal) & Bill Conti Performed by Bill Conti Courtesy of MCA Records By Arrangement with Universal Music Special Markets Sailing Written and Performed by Christopher Cross Courtesy of Warner Bros. Records Inc. By Arrangement with Warner Special Products You Really Got Me Written by Ray Davies Performed by Van Halen Courtesy of Warner Bros. Records Inc. By Arrangement with Warner Special Products You Shook Me All Night Long Written by Angus Young, Malcolm Young & Brian Johnson Performed by AC/DC Courtesy of Elektra Entertainment Group By Arrangement with Warner Special Products Since You're Gone Written by Ric Ocasek Performed by The Cars Courtesy of Elektra Entertainment Group By Arrangement with Warner Special Products No Rain Written by Blind Melon - Glen Graham, Shannon Hoon, Brad Smith, Rogers Stevens (as Thomas Stevens) & Christopher Thorn Performed by Blind Melon Courtesy of Capitol Records Under License from EMI-Capitol Music Special Markets Let's Dance Written and Performed by David Bowie Courtesy of Jones/Tintoretto Entertainment Co., LLC Hard Charger Written by Porno For Pyros & Perry Farrell Performed by Porno For Pyros Courtesy of Warner Bros. Records Inc. Tortured Man Written by John King, Michael Simpson (as Mike Simpson), Howard Stern, Jackie Martling (as Jackie 'The Joke Man' Martling) & Fred Norris Performed by Howard Stern and The Dust Brothers Courtesy of Warner Bros. Records Inc. The Suck For Your Solution Written by Marilyn Manson (as Manson), Jeordie White (as Ramirez) & Zim Zum (as Zum) Performed by Marilyn Manson Courtesy of Nothing Records, Inc.

Cast (first billed only):   Howard Stern    ... Himself Robin Quivers    ... Herself Mary McCormack    ... Alison Stern Fred Norris          ... Himself Paul Giamatti    ... Kenny Gary Dell'Abate    ... Himself Jackie Martling    ... Himself Richard Portnow    ... Ben Stern Kelly Bishop    ... Ray Stern Henry Goodman    ... Moti John Melendez    ... Himself ('Stuttering John') George Crackhead Bob  ... Himself