On this day in comedy on July 18, 1980 Cheech & Chong’s Next Movie was released by Universal Studios.
Directed by Tommy Chong, this is the duo’s follow up to their hit Up in Smoke. In this one Cheech & Chong star again as stoners, but with a more disjointed plot; which is fine because you should be high when you watch their movies anyway.
The loose story centers around seeking the ultimate high. Yeah. Cheech works at a movie studio during the day while Chong gets high. Cheech gets fired, but gets a date so he needs Chong to get lost for a while. Chong doesn’t like that idea, but a constructive way to keep him occupied appears in the Red situation. Cheech’s play cousin, Red, got kicked out of a motel and needs somebody to come swoop him up. It would be beneficial because he has a suitcase full of weed. It’s weed the motel clerk tried to unknowingly confiscate for back pay, but he gets into a twist with the cops he called and gets arrested himself. They end up at a brothel and get kicked out for disturbing the hoes. Next thing you know they’re abducted by aliens and brought aboard their spaceship. Cheech missed his date because he slept through it and Chong returns from his space adventure in time to share space coke with Cheech and the world as they ride off on a giant blunt. Told you you needed to be high.
Cheech & Chong’s Next Movie featured the talents of Paul Reubens, Phil Hartman, Evelyn Guerrero, Faith Minton, Edie McClurg, Sy Kramer, Rita Wilson, Cassandra Peterson and Michael Winslow. Produced by Howard Brown, Cheech & Chong’s Next Movie grossed $41,675,194 at the box office.
By Darryl “D’Militant” Littleton
Check out this clip:
