Happy Gilmore

Either you grew up with parents who despised the Sandman and all his buffoonery, or you’re me and Happy Gilmore was background noise to half your childhood. (The other half being scored by, of course, Billy Madison.) Since Adam Sandler’s continued and quite lucrative streaming deal with Netflix farts out a sequel to the golf goof this coming July, theatres all over the country – including here in ATX – are screening the off-kilter original. Typical Sandler protag Happy has proven himself too hot for the hockey ice, and in an effort to help his grandmother pay off IRS back taxes, he utilizes his slapshot skills to get into golf. While Sandman obviously shines, this movie’s greatest legend is in the late Carl Weathers as mentor figure Chubbs Peterson, whose golf career – and two-handedness – were cut short by an alligator attack. It’s also the first instance of Julie Bowen as a Sandler love interest, a role she repeats in Hubie Halloween. – James Scott Read a full review of Happy Gilmore.