Thirty years ago today, March 2, 1984, the film This is Spinal Tap was released. This rockumentary, or mockumentary, directed by Rob Reiner, featured Christopher Guest (Nigel Tufnel), Michael McKean (David St. Hubbins), Harry Shearer (Derek Smalls), and a bevy of actors and actresses in guest spots. Numerous actors filled in the role of drummer. Rob Reiner plays the documentarian, Marty DiBergi, who shadows the band during their tour of smallish venues. Is this Tap’s last tour? During this cult classic, we learn the name St. Hubbins is connected to the patron saint of quality footwear. This movie is a comedic gem and one of my all-time favorites.
Who didn’t laugh when the musicians almost trod upon the druids? Or when the band got lost in the bowels of a venue? How about when Artie Fufkin, aka Paul Shaffer from The David Letterman Show, asks the band to kick him due to low turnout at a record release party for Smell the Glove? The band realizes their popularity has significantly diminished when they warm up for a puppet show. This is a movie I can watch anytime at any point.
I first viewed the movie with my brother and Paul “PJ” Johnson in summer 1984 at a discount movie theater in Minneapolis; there were no more than 10 people present. Since numbers were so low, our triad decided to sing along to many of Tap’s tunes. “Gimme Some Money.” “Stonehenge.” “Heavy Duty.” You see, our college friend Darren McKellin had purchased the album that spring and we already knew the tunes at the time we finally watched the film.
Ian Faith: They’re not gonna release the album…because they have decided that the cover is sexist.
Nigel Tufnel: What is wrong with being sexy?
Nigel Tufnel: We’ve got armadillos in our trousers. It’s really quite frightening.
Nigel Tufnel: Eleven. Exactly one louder.
Marty DiBergi: Why don’t you just make ten louder and make ten be the top number and make that a little louder?
Nigel Tufnel: These go to 11.
David St. Hubbins: It’s such a fine line between stupid, and clever.
