First Annual Fletch Fest in Indy Will Support Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

In line with our continued online fascination with the 80s, today we are proud to interview our very own KVB about Fletch Fest, and upcoming event in the Broad Ripple area that he is helping to organize and put on. Fletch (1985), of course, for those of you who have been deprived and do not know, starred Chevy Chase and was adapted from a series of books by Gregory McDonald.

Factoid: Did you know that the first Fletch book came out in 1974 and was trying to be adapted to screen for Burt Reynolds or Mick Jagger? Gregory McDonald rejected both studio attempts and agreed to Chevy Chase years later. Good move.

Fletch has had a long history of rumors that more movies would be produced than just Fletch and Fletch Lives (1989). Since then, more Fletch movies have been whispered about with Kevin Smith or Bill Lawrence directing. Funny men Ryan Reynolds, Jason Lee, John Kaslinski, or Zach Braff have been thrown out as suggestions for reprising the title role of Fletch. Not-so-funny men Ben Affleck and Joshua Jackson were also rumored. But movie Studios and potential talent have ultimately always backed away.

Fletch may simply go down among other iconic, classic movies that never get rehashed or remade (hopefully) without the original star(s), like The Blues Brothers or The Naked Gun.

Below KVB tells us about Fletch Fest, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation that the event will support, and his love for Harold Faltermeyer.

Q: What is Fletch Fest?

KVB: Fletch Fest is a movie and music benefit rolled into one night, and we are in our first year of what should be a yearly festival. Thursday, September 3rd, we have an 8pm outdoor screening of the movie Fletch and the 5$ door price goes directly to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. They are a great national organization that wanted to kick off their Poker for Research event (October 8th) with another fun event before the end of summer. Fletch Fest is in the back of a great venue, Rock Lobster, in the heart of Broad Ripple in Indianapolis.

Q: Whose idea was it?

KVB: Sarah Jones (founder) and I talked about Lebowski Fest and what other great movie tribute festivals we would love to go to. Our common “Fletch fetish” made Fletch Fest the top idea on our list. After forty-five beers and three boxes of wine (we weren’t that drunk), we had to tell our friends of the ridiculous idea. Their positive reactions and the ensuing hours of everyone quoting the movie made our decision for us. We should throw Fletch Fest at least for a good time with our friends, we all decided.

Fortunately it turned into the opportunity to organize it with Matt and Nikki Javit for the local JDRF. And fortunately one of the best bands in Indianapolis is headlining the night, The Franchize. Lead singer Nate Davis (not the QB) happens to be a huge Fletch fan and loved the idea from the minute he heard it. In fact, his band has done a remix of the Fletch theme live and will perform it that night. The cult love for Fletch is legit, along with JDRF’s organization and all of our sponsors who are supporting Fletch Fest.

JRod: What are your donation goals?

KVB: Anything! JDRF has many yearly events and now Fletch Fest is icing on the cake. We just want the awareness and for people to have a good time before Labor Day weekend starts. Note: Ballers, bring your check book if you feel you want to donate more then the $5 ticket to a good cause. And yes, all in the name of Fletch.

JRod: What’s the schedule of events for the evening?

KVB: Before the Fletch screening we will have some independent short films (Really Really Big Show) and a Fletch trivia contest with the winner receiving a prize. There is a raffle throughout the night for more prizes and drink specials from one of our sponsors, Ketel One. All of our great sponsors will have areas set up and steak sandwiches will be catered.

To wrap the evening up, you can hear great live music from Drew Mowell (acoustic from the band Records) and the headliner The Franchize (hip-hop, rock, funk, soul) until the venue kicks us out. It should be a fun, eclectic crowd of JDRF supporters, filmmakers, 80s movie fans, musicians, and just party people who want a unique experience in the Indianapolis night scene. I even have one friend traveling from New York City for Fletch Fest.

JRod: What makes Fletch such a great movie?

KVB: It’s re-watchable, quotable, and hilarious. It has Chevy Chase in his prime, he improvs every scene, and kills it. From a filmmaking standpoint it is a classic 80s movie and has the unique synthesized theme music by Harold Faltermeyer (Beverly Hills Cop I and II, Top Gun). I can’t wait to watch it projected onto a big screen and big sound system. It was directed by Michael Ritchie, who also directed sports classics The Scout and The Bad News Bears. He also wrote the story for Cool Runnings.

JRod: What is your favorite alias that the character uses and why?

KVB: Impossible to pick one. But out of the ones where he doesn’t use a real person’s name as an alias (like Harry S. Truman, Billy Jean King, or Peter Lemonjello) I would have to go with Mr. Poon. “What is Poon anyway? It’s Comanche Indian.” He looks ridiculous and talks with a bloody band aid over his nostrils because the vice president of the United States closed a door on his face. “Whack!” Good scene and funny one liners.

JRod: If you could play miniature golf with Chevy Chase and two other people, who would they be?

KVB: Him and his alter-egos Irwin “Fletch” Fletcher and Clark W. Griswold.

JRod: Is it true that you believe the term “catches” in football should be replaced by the term “fletches?”

KVB: It is true. If I can’t get that passed through Congress I want everyone to replace their curse words with “fletch.” Fletch it! What the Fletch? Fletch You Mother Fletcher!

JRod: How many fletches do you believe OSU alum Brian Robiskie will get this year for the Browns?

KVB: 25 to 30 fletches.

JRod: The 2009 White Sox…WTFletch?

KVB: I’d rather focus on the positives in my life right now. Like Fletch Fest, a bloody mary, a steak sandwich, and a steak sandwich.

JRod: Anything else you’d like to say?

KVB: Thank you for the exposure. Say “Fletch Midwestsportsfans.com” to get into Fletch Fest for FREE (not true, pay the $5 for JDRF!). Fletch Fest Thursday, September 3rd. Rock Lobster 814 Broad Ripple Ave. Indianapolis, IN 46220 – 8PM – www.fletchfest.com

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* – Chevy Chase as Fletch photo credit: Film Babble

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