
Stay Hungry
Director: Bob Rafelson Run Time: 102 min. Format: 35mm Rating: R Release Year: 1976
Starring: Jeff Bridges, Sally Field, Arnold Schwarzenegger, R.G. Armstrong, Robert Englund, Joe Spinell, Scatman Crothers
When Craig Blake (Jeff Bridges), an aimless Alabaman from a wealthy family, is tasked with buying an old gym for nefarious gangster-prospectors, he finds himself charmed by the various characters that hang out there. Among them are body builder Joe Santo (Arnold Schwarzenegger) and Mary Tate Farnsworth (Sally Field), who are stark contrasts to the country club snobs Craig is used to. Aligning himself with the gym contingent, Craig seems ready to embrace his status as the black sheep of the family, but still has the gangsters to contend with.
Director Bob Rafelson (Five Easy Pieces) had a knack for oddballs, and here assembled many craggy faces including Joe Spinell, R.G. Armstrong and Scatman Crothers. Delightful moments include Schwarzenegger playing the fiddle, Bridges doing a Southern jig, and a slew of body builders taking to the streets of Birmingham, posing atop buses and cheesing for the fascinated crowds.