Medusa Challenger

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Medusa Challenger (1977) is an award-winning dramatic short film that was Joe Mantegna’s first film. The film has been honored with numerous film festival awards and critical accolades. The film is in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the American Film Institute Collection in Washington, D.C., and the Chicago Film Archives. The film is one of the few American films widely seen (legally) in the People’s Republic of China. Joe Mantegna and Jack Wallace star in "Medusa Challenger,” a short film about a mentally challenged adult and his uncle directed by Steven Elkins and produced by Phillip Koch. Also appearing in the film are Marge Kotlisky, a Chicago actress, and Al Lamb, the actual real-life bridge tender, playing himself. “Medusa Challenger” is the story of two flower sellers, Uncle Jack (Jack Wallace) and his nephew Joey (Joe Mantegna) who sell flowers on the busy Lake Shore Drive bridge in downtown Chicago. When the huge ore boat, “Medusa Challenger,” causes the drawbridge to be raised and traffic to be stopped, Jack and Joey become separated. Jack is chatting with Al the bridge tender in the tower where the bridge controls are located while Joey is watching "the stuff," the fresh flowers they hope to sell, on the other side of the bridge. Jack worries about Joey since Joey is mentally challenged. Jack is determined to get across the river so he commandeers a rowboat and rows across the Chicago River just as the big boat steams straight towards him. However, Joey rises to the occasion and sells all the flowers to the cars stopped by the bridge raising. Jack learns a new appreciation of Joey’s abilities and potential.

“Medusa Challenger” was shot in the summer of 1976, the bicentennial year, before the Lake Shore Drive “S” curve was straightened. The film was released in theaters in 1977, premiering at Chicago’s Biograph Theater. “Medusa Challenger” was produced by Phillip Koch and written and directed by Steven Elkins.

In 1998, the actual “Medusa Challenger” vessel, the largest freighter to sail the Great Lakes, 552 feet long, was sold to another company and renamed “Southdown Challenger.” On April 28, 2005, the name and registration of the Southdown Challenger was changed once again to St. Marys Challenger with the new name being painted on her hull. She is also the oldest operating vessel on the Great Lakes. The drawbridge over Lake Shore Drive at the Chicago River is one of the largest double bascule bridge in America.

Phillip Koch also produced “The American Flag: Two Centuries of Concord & Conflict” a PBS national broadcast in 1007 and 2008, “Betaville,” a sci-fi comedy starring John Astin, Lou Rawls, Tim Kazurinsky and Judge Reinhold. Mr. Koch previously produced and directed Kevin Anderson in "Pink Nights," a coming of age teen comedy that had a domestic theatrical release by New World and an international release by Orion Pictures International. "Pink Nights" was also screened at the AFI/Independent Showcase in Los Angeles and Washington, D. C., the Independent Feature Market in New York, and the Chicago Film Festival.

“Medusa Challenger” review quotes:

“A gem. A….masterpiece of economic cinematic storytelling…that in its flawless economy recalls classic shorts such as Roman Polanski’s ‘Two Men and A Wardrobe.’ Generates considerable suspense because Wallace and Mantegna are such good actors.”—Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times

“Every once in a while a film comes along which is a pure joy to watch. The film is a gem, a ray of sunshine that brightens the day. ‘Medusa Challenger’ is such a film. Anyone who sees this film will come away richer for it.”—Barbara Flynn, Film News

“Engaging and quietly touching…The movie has the clarity of narrative and bittersweet view of human nature of an O. Henry story.”—Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

“Beautifully acted and produced…a moving and loving short film. They have seen that area…with an eye for beauty that could only come from affectionate natives.”—Richard Christiansen, Chicago Daily News

“Excellent. Mantegna’s performance is a masterpiece. A hauntingly beautiful musical score. A cinematic folk poem.”—David Jones, Chicago Reader

JOE MANTEGNA (JOE) is a highly versatile and widely lauded actor. He has had leading roles in "Bugsy,” "Godfather III", "Searching for Bobby Fischer", "Celebrity" and "Forget Paris." He starred as a police chief in "Joan of Arcadia" on the CBS television hit series. Joe has appeared in many other television shows, including guest hosting “Saturday Night Live.”

JACK WALLACE (JACK) was in the feature films "The Bear," "Boogie Nights," "House of Games," "Lakeboat," "State and Main," "The Spanish Prisoner," and in the television series "Frasier,” “Becker," “ER,” and “NYPD Blue.”

JEFFREY JUR (additional cinematography) won a 2004 Emmy Award for Cinematography for “Carnivale” (HBO). Jeffrey was Director of Photography for the feature films “My Big Fat Greek Wedding,” “How Stella Got Her Groove Back,” “The Last Seduction,” “Dirty Dancing,” and “Soul Man.”

“Medusa Challenger” Awards & Recognition:

Blue Ribbon American Film Festival (1978) Gold Plaque Chicago International Film Festival (1978) Gold Medal Virgin Islands Film Festival (1978) Special Jury Award Virgin Islands Film Festival (1978) Special Jury Award San Francisco Film Festival (1978) Selected Film for Young Adults American Library Association (1978) Screening Melbourne (Australia) Film Festival (1978) Emmy Award Chicago Chapter, National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (1980) USA Independent Showcase American Film Institute (1986) Recipient of Arts Grant Illinois Arts Council (1977) Permanent Collection Museum of Modern Art, New York (1980) American Film Institute Collection (2008)