Windy City Heat

A few months ago, I was eating dinner at Canters with my good friend Mark and his brother and the conversation turns to Windy City Heat.  Immediately upon saying the words Windy City Heat, they both starting laughing uncontrollably and quoting lines.  Mark's brother Ben explained, "Windy City Heat is the best you have never seen.  It is essentially a 10 year old practical joke on this one guy who thinks he is trying to be a action star, but actually is the butt of every joke possible."

The story goes like this:
"The prank involves a poor schmuck named Perry Caravello who is duped over a period of years into believing that he has talent and will soon be cast to star in an action film. Of course, the guy has no talent and pathetically few brain cells, so his duping in this elaborate hoax is an act of cruelty almost unparalleled in TV comedy annals. It's nasty and mean and ugly. Yet it's also undeniably a scream.

Dubbed a "real-life 'Truman Show,' " it's the brainchild of exec producers Jimmy Kimmel, Adam Carolla, Daniel Kellison and Doug DeLuca. For years now, this sap Caravello -- wild-haired, paunchy, moody and almost unfathomably dense -- has been promised a starring vehicle by his comedian pals/tormentors Don Barris and Tony Barbieri. With straight faces, they somehow convince the guy that he's gonna be the Next Big Thing despite his complete lack of talent, charisma or even a sense of humor.

Caravello is, in short, the perfect fool. Cameras both hidden and exposed capture the fun and pain when Caravello is inexplicably cast as the star of a supposed film called "Windy City Heat," in which he portrays a character named Stone Fury, a hard-boiled Chicago "sports private eye." It's all just a complete goof, of course. But the real Caravello doesn't know that."

The joke takes on the dimension of pitiful, brutal art. Every actor, every cameraman, every PA and every producer on this supposed film is in cahoots to manipulate this unsuspecting, egomaniacal slob. He seems like such a jerk in reality that it takes a bit of the sting off. And talk about a moron. It doesn't seem to occur to him how odd it is that the film crew around him have names like Susan B. Anthony, John Quincy Adams, Frances Farmer and Burt Ward. And when the cameras follow him off the set, it's only to collect bonus footage for the DVD. [Hollywood Reporter]

The movie was supposed to get theatrical release, but instead was regulated to some late night slots on Comedy Central.  Comedy Central pulled it adding to the mystique.  Next thing you know, some guy recorded it and passed it on to his friends and its a cult classic.

Immediately upon hearing the premise, I was turned off.  Why would I want to watch a movie about a bunch of guys picking on another guy.  I told Mark this.  He agreed and then he saw it.  He claims (boldly) it is the best movie of our generation.  Its a movie you can watch again and again and still find humor in.

The movie was finally released on DVD yesterday.  It's not on Netflix yet, but will be I am sure up soon.  Until then, I will keep all of you posted for my Windy City Heat viewing party.

Until then, enjoy the clip:

Comments

[Jeff]

Windy City Heat is one of the funniest movies ever made. Trust me, I've seen it about 40 times and it never gets old.....its pure comedy genius. You won't be disappointed!!!!!

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