Long before cable TV, the internet and social media, the country didn't get the news until the next day, that is unless they were sitting next to their radio or had a neighbor rushing over to tell someone who was home to turn on their radio, or in the case of JFK, shocked by the interruption of "As the World Turns". Nowadays, you can see news change in a flash by walking down the street as swirling signs flash world events including the announcements of celebrity deaths or someone screaming it out on the street in shock reading their phone.

Richard Thomas, seen in the opening moments watching "East of Eden" come to its heart wrenching conclusion, finds out while at football practice about the death of his idol, overhearing someone's transistor radio announcing it. His girlfriend Lisa Blount and friends Tom Hulce, Dennis Christopher and Deborah Benson decide to give him a proper memorial and later decide to have a seance. Their actions gets them into all sorts of mischief, and ends up being a turning point for them to grow up.

Not the classic that I was expecting it to be, I thought it rather weird in spots which spoiled the nostalgia involved. Thomas is a fabulous actor, but his character's declaration of having so much in common with the cult star of only three movies (and several bit parts) just struck me as odd. Written and directed by James Bridges, this seems like a passion project that strived too hard to be poignant and avant garde. Still the atmosphere for the time setting is excellent, although Richard Thomas in Dean's "Rebel Without a Cause" didn't tear me apart. Not a misfire, but for what seems like it should be a cult classic deservedly did not become one.