The Wanderers (1979 film)

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The Wanderers

Theatrical release poster
Directed by Philip Kaufman
Produced by Martin Ransohoff
Written by Richard Price
Rose Kaufman
Philip Kaufman
Starring Ken Wahl
John Friedrich
Karen Allen
Cinematography Michael Chapman
Editing by Stuart H. PappĂ©
Ronald Roose
Distributed by Orion Pictures
Release date(s) July 4, 1979
Running time 117 min.
Country United States
Language English
IMDb profile

The Wanderers is a 1979 film based on the novel by Richard Price. This drama tells the story of several youths growing up together amid the various gangs of 1963 New York City. It starred Ken Wahl, featured Karen Allen and was directed by Philip Kaufman.

The film centres around the members of a North Bronx youth gang and their fights with other gangs. The movie has gained popularity and cult status over the years because of its sensitive depiction of teenagers coming of age.

The gangs named in the movie, though fictionalized, are based on real gangs encountered by Price in his childhood. Real names of actual Bronx gangs of the era -- Fordham Baldies, Ducky Boys -- are used. As well, The Wanderers was the name of an actual gang located in South Brooklyn that was part of the larger South Brooklyn Boys gang.

Contents

[edit] Gangs

  • The Wanderers: An all-Italian gang comprising 27 members. They wear bright yellow/brown jackets and blue jeans. Their leader, Richie, is dating Despie Galasso, the daughter of an infamous mobster, so The Wanderers have connections.
  • The Fordham Baldies: As their name suggests, they are all bald, reportedly to prevent their hair from getting in their eyes during a fight. There are 40 of them, and each member is a serious brawler. Their leader is Terror, a 6'8", 400-pound monster of a man. They wear leather jackets with a skull on the back and "FB" (Fordham Baldies) on the arm.
  • The Del Bombers: They are the toughest all-black gang in the Bronx. They have 23 members, and are prejudiced against Italians. They wear purple and gold hoodies with "DB" written in Old English lettering on the back. Their leader is Clinton Stitch.
  • Ducky Boys: They are an all-Irish gang. They have several distinctive things about them: none of them wears gang "colors"-they all dress normally*. They are all extremely short- 5'6" and under. They are also the largest gang of the Bronx, with 500 members. They have a twisted take on Christianity- it is all right to kill and beat up people, as long as they attend mass and confession. They are the only gang willing to kill people. They all have crucifix tattoos on their arms and chest. *In an Australian play, produced by Adam Kreuzer, based on the film, the Ducky Boys are all Collingwood Football Club supporters and do all wear Collingwood jumpers in some scenes.
  • The Wongs: As their name suggests, they are all Chinese, and have the last name "Wong". There are 27 members, and every single one of them knows Jiu-Jitsu (even though Jiu-Jitsu is a japanese art). Their leader is Teddy Wong. They wear black hoodies with a hanzi (Chinese character) on the back. They all appear to be quite stealthy as during a meeting in an open field they appear to vanish as the Wanderers momentarily turn their heads. Their motto is "Don't Fuck with the Wongs". They help the Wanderers and Del Bombers fight the Ducky Boys during a gang rumble. They all have dragon tattoos.

[edit] Cast

Name Role
Ken Wahl Richie Gennaro
John Friedrich Joey Capra
Karen Allen Nina Becker
Toni Kalem Despie Galasso
Alan Rosenburg Turkey
Jim Youngs Buddy Borsalino
Tony Ganios Perry LaGuardia
Linda Manz Peewee
William Andrews Emilio Capra
Erland van Lidth Terror
Val Avery Mr. Sharp
Dolph Sweet Chubby Galasso
Michael Wright Clinton Stitch
Burtt Harris Marine Recruiter
Name Role
Samm-Art Williams Roger
Dion Albanese Teddy Wong
Olympia Dukakis Joey's Mom
George Merolle Peppy Dio
Terri Perri Terri Perri
John Califano Bowling Bankroller
Richard Price Bowling Bankroller
Linda Artuso Buddy's Woman
Alan Braunstein Ducky Boy Leader
Konrad Sheehan Ducky Boy 2nd-In-Command
Mark Lesly Creepy Ducky Boy with Blade
Harry Benjamin Pharaoh Leader
Farrel R. Tannenbaum Ray Leader
Anthony Tirico Executioner Leader

[edit] Soundtrack listing

Song Performer
"The Wanderer" Dion
"Runaround Sue"
"Walk Like a Man" The Four Seasons
"Big Girls Don't Cry"
"Ya Ya" Lee Dorsey
"My Boyfriend's Back" The Angels
"Stand By Me" Ben E. King
"Wipe Out" The Surfaris
"Soldier Boy" The Shirelles
"Baby It's You"

[edit] External links

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