Plot: The adventures of a group of teenagers at a drive-in in Texas one weekend night.

KBZ’s Take: This is a unique movie-within-a-movie film where the Drive-In movie, Disaster “76”, is actually funnier than the movie. While the main film has some laughs, it’s more about the intertwining story lines of teens, thieves and a gang at the Drive-In theater. What is worth seeing in the film is the nostalgic look at 1970’s era rural Texas where roller skating rinks and Drive-In’s were the main source of entertainment for teens. Recommended for fans of the subgenre or fans of 1970’s nostalgia films.

Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3HJcfxa

Plot: Youth who builds exotic cars has his class project car stolen and tracks it to Las Vegas.

KBZ’s Take: We have a suspicion Mark Hamill would have passed on this film had he known how much of a cultural phenomenon Star Wars (1977) and his character, Luke Skywalker, would be. Though the film is uneven it does have an interesting coming-of-age story between Ken (Hamill) and the quirky Vanessa (Annie Potts). One interesting casting decision in the film is Kim Milford as Wayne Lowry who runs the chop shop in Las Vegas. Milford was the lead in Laserblast (1978) which was a Star Wars rip-off and featured a scene where his character uses his alien weapon to blow up a Star Wars billboard.

Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3JAoehA

Plot: Former vaudeville star befriends a young runaway who is being chased by drug dealers.

KBZ’s Take: George Burns had a string of comedy hits in the late 70’s / early 80’s (Oh, God (1977), Going in Style (1979)) and this film was in the middle of them. Brooke Shields was about to become a teenage sensation with The Blue Lagoon (1980) and Endless Love (1981). It was a pairing, that on paper, looked like a surefire hit. However, while the film has some laughs and has a heartwarming message, the comedy is sparse throughout the film and reliant on Burns’ one-liners. It’s a film worth seeing for the two leads actors at the top of their game and recommended for fans of the subgenre.

Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3HnZpmq

Plot: Teenage Annabel and her mother wish they could have the easy life of the other for just one day.

KBZ’s Take: Disney’s Freaky Friday is one of the first Body Swap films and a better film than the remake, Freaky Friday (2003). While Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan are fine in the remake, they can’t quite capture the magic and acting talent of Barbara Harris and Jodie Foster. While modern audiences will find the film and special effects very dated, the situational comedy in the film is much funnier – especially with the up-and-coming star in Jodie Foster. It’s still a great film of the subgenre and also of the Family Films for Kids subgenre.

Additional Lists: The Best Films of the Body Swap Film Subgenre #10

Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3Fxd7CG

Plot: The adventures of a group of high school friends in 1960’s Chicago.

KBZ’s Take: Following different comedic situations of a group of African American high school students, the film is, for the most part, a comedy with a very tragic ending. The situational comedy is funny (especially when the kids cut school for the zoo) and you’ll recognize a very young Glynn Turman who most fans of The Wire will remember as Mayor Royce. Highly recommended film for fans of the subgenre.

Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3jjBLzA

Plot: A group of students enlist the help of rock band, The Ramones, to combat the school’s oppressive administration.

KBZ’s Take: If you’re not a fan of the Ramone’s rock music, there’s a good chance you probably won’t like this film. While the film itself is basically an extended music video of The Ramones, there’s enough late 70’s era nostalgia to enjoy in the film. And if you like The Ramones, it’s a great time capsule look at a band in its prime.

Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3DtrN5r

Plot: Hollywood agent in debt creates a team of talented skateboarders to enter into a race.

KBZ’s Take: We’re listing this film primarily for the nostalgic value of the film. While other Skateboarding films have tried to capture the feel of the era (i.e. The Lords of Dogtown (2005)), Skateboard was made during the era and its reflected in the film. Some of the early Skateboarding tricks are worth seeing and the film even has a young Tony Alva (one of the original Z-Boys) as one of the members of the skateboarding team. Thought the film’s subplot involving the agent and his bookie gets ridiculous at times, the films is worth seeing for a different era which gave birth to the skateboarding phenomenon.

Where to Stream / Buy: N/A

Plot: Four college town friends face opposition from all corners as they decide to make their friend Dave’s dreams come true in the university’s annual bicycle endurance race.

KBZ’s Take: This is more of a coming-of-age story exploring the theme of college town residents (called ‘cutters’ by the college students) and their plans for life. While there is some comedy in the film (and at times is very funny), the film is much more about Dave (Dennis Christopher) and his quest to break from the town as he becomes infatuated with Italian culture and bicycle racing. The film’s main strength is the rapport between the four friends who include Christopher, Dennis Quad, Daniel Stern and Jackie Earle Haley. It’s a great film and highly recommended for fans of the subgenre.

Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3Jx1Aad

Plot: Three American exchange students come of age while studying in Paris.

KBZ’s Take: This is a lesser-known and rare film that is a bit hard to find. While lost in the late 1970’s to other popular coming-of-age films, this film has a unique premise and some funny coming-of-age situations that make it worth seeking out. It also has a great cast with Miles Chapin, Blanche Baker, David Marshall Grant, Marie-France Pisier, Debra Winger and Mandy Patinkin. It’s a highly recommended film for fans of the subgenre.

Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3kYi0Oj

Plot: Several days in the life of 12-year-old Kenny and his friends.

KBZ’s Take:  If you grew up during the 1970’s, this film (more than any other) will be a time capsule back into the life of a 70’s youth without Xbox, mobile phones or any other electronic entertainment. It’s a great coming-of-age story that shows how much kids of that era were able to get away with compared to today. Riding a bike on the street with no helmet? Check. Skateboarding downhill without a helmet or pads? Check. Lighting Cherry Bombs? Check. Directed by Don Coscarelli, this film features many of the same actors who would go on to star in his classic horror film Phantasm (1979). If there’s one film parents can show their kids to show them how life was like growing up in the 1970’s, this is the film. It’s a shame it’s not a well-known film as its not only one of the best films of the 1970’s, but also one of the best of the subgenre.

Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/40enGUJ