Rad (1986) - Bill Allen, Lori Loughlin, Bart Conner, Chad Hayes, Carey Hayes

[AlbertV]

March 28th was the 35th anniversary of the release of Hal Needham's BMX drama Rad, one that has gained a massive cult following. Robert Schwartzman, whose father was the film's executive producer Jack Schwartzman (and is the brother of Jason Schwartzman and son of Talia Shire), founded Utopia Distribution and last year, the film finally got a 4K release on Disc from Vinegar Syndrome, who worked closely with Utopia. 

For those unfamiliar with the plot, it involved 17-year old Christopher "Cru" Jones, an expert in BMX racing in the small town of Cochrane, which is set to host a professional race known as HellTrack. Cru wants to enter but qualifiers are the same day he is supposed to take the SATs. We all can guess what's next...he qualifies, but to the founder of the race, he poses a threat to the #1 rider in the nation (who he manages) and the founder will do what it takes so Cru can't take on HellTrack. 

Rad Trivia:

• The original title of the film was going to be Balls Out. 
• Chad and Carey Hayes, who play Bart Taylor's cohorts Rod and Rex, are known today as the creators of The Conjuring universe of horror films. 
• Bart Conner of course is a champion gymnast and teaches today with his wife, fellow champion gymnast Nadia Comenici.
• Jamie Clarke, who plays Cru's best friend Luke, would go on to be the 1st Canadian to ever climb Mount Everest to the summit...twice! (The 9th Canadian overall)
• The film is loosely based on the real-life story of BMX champion and later stuntman, Eddie Fiola, who was one of two doubles for lead actor Bill Allen. The other double was Jose Yanez, who does the "backflip" stunts. 
• Martin Aparijo doubled for Lori Loughlin and like Fiola, would go on to be a stuntman in films and TV as well. Fiola and Aparijo are to BMX the same way Stacy Peralta and Tony Alva are to skateboarding and stunts in films and TV. Fiola & Aparijo also appear as themselves during the HellTrack race. 
• Utopia Distributor founder Robert Schwartzman mentioned that he would be on the Calgary set during most of the film as a kid and his late father kept all of the bike helmets and other memorabilia from the film. The article can be found here.
• Laura Jacoby, who played Cru's sister Wesley, is part of an 80's Hollywood dynasty of siblings. Her brothers are Scott Jacoby (Return to Horror High), Billy "William Jayne" Jacoby (Parker Lewis Can't Lost), Bobby Jacoby (The Wonder Years), and Susan Jacoby (Eight is Enough)
• Lead actor Bill Allen wrote a book about his life and career entitled My Rad Career in 2014. 
• There are a few deleted scenes that were seen in a TV version, including
  • Luke expressing his disappointment in qualifying during dinner with his parents.
  • Some of Cru's friends' parents reacting to their disappointment in Cru's attempt to get into HellTrack.
  • A drunken Bart Taylor going to the restaurant where Cru works to challenge him to a race. 

 

 

Edited April 27, 2021 by AlbertV