First Time Watching THAT THING YOU DO! And I Can't Stop Singing

What a delightful stroll through an idealized 60s American Dream! Hope you enjoy it!
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#reaction #commentary #review #movie

[@TC_Smitty]

If no one has mentioned it, Ethan's character's name is, if I recall correctly, T.B. Player, which stands for the bass player.

[@gregsteele806]

Also, in case no one has mentioned it, the host of the Hollywood Showcase is Peter Scolari, Hank's Co-Star on Bosom Buddies. (Oh, and the aid who helps Fay is Hank's son.)

[@cjpatz]

Another FYI: Guy’s sister has no dialog in the movie. She just makes facial expressions.

[@MattMager-b3o]

Incorrect. She asks if she's getting a raise when getting her new pos

[@cjpatz]

@ you’re right. My bad. What I meant is she had one line:

[@Stuck-n-da-90s]

I have not seen many people reacting to this movie. Thank you.

[@claymccoy]

The song was written by Adam Schlesinger, one of the members of Fountains of Wayne (known for the hit "Stacy's Mom"). Sadly, he died young of COVID. He was a great songwriter.

[@DaleKingProfile]

They had a contest for someone to write the main song. They actually had another one that they liked and you can hear it when they are showing what happened to them. The soundtrack (which was portrayed as sort of a Playtone greatest hits album) had the other one as a hit for Jimmy and the Heardsmen after the Wonders.

[@dannykent6190]

He also wrote or cowrote most of the music from the show Crazy Ex Girlfriend, which is a phenomenal show.

[@BeaXRSmith]

Steve Zahn is an absolute treasure in this.

[@RhetoricalThrill]

And in everything, honestly 😊

[@BeaXRSmith]

@@RhetoricalThrill True. As soon as I hit enter I was flooded with his perky quips from about a dozen films!

[@johndough3809]

Core memory unlocked. Owned this movie, watched it many times as a kid… completely forgot it existed as an adult… till now! With this and the Ecco the dolphin reference a bit ago, you’re doing a great job at hitting me in the nostalgia (that almost autocorrected to “nostrils”). Hope you keep doin’ THIS thing you do! Very entertaining!

[@RhetoricalThrill]

Yay nostalgia! 😊

[@tomfisher9191]

Yay for you selecting this to react to! Such a fun and well-done film written, directed and acted by Tom Hanks. TB Player - The Bass Player.

[@RhetoricalThrill]

I really thought I was crazy, like he must have had a name and I just missed it, but no 😂

[@gregoryeatroff8608]

The "careful girls, he's engaged" caption is a reference to a "sorry girls, he's married" caption over John Lennon on an early Beatles TV appearance. But with John it was actually true.

[@RhetoricalThrill]

Was it? I was super unclear on the whole thing. I couldn’t tell he’d asked and it was secret, if she made it up to get him moving on asking, if someone twisted someone’s words, or if White had just done it to get the audience whipped up.

[@johnscott4196]

Had to click immediately when I saw you were doing this. One of my favorite movies. No idea why they threw Tom Hanks and Howie in the cozy car near the end lol

[@RhetoricalThrill]

No idea how it’s not more widespread, it seems like people who see it really like it!

[@BigSleepyOx]

Yes! Finally someone reacted to this! 😁😁

[@RhetoricalThrill]

😊

[@pedroV2003]

I feel exactly the same way. You have no idea how many times I've suggested the movie to other reaction channels but I think this maybe only the second reaction I've seen to it.

[@JulieWestfall-sb5xg]

Glad you picked up on Rita Wilson's Cameo. She is Awesome, she plays Tom Hank's sister in Sleepless in Seattle. 😊 I forgot she was in this also. I loved your reaction, I haven't seen this in years.

[@apollo21lmp]

did you catch who was walking Faye up the stairs at the TV station? Colin Hanks, Tom's son in one of his first acting roles.

[@RhetoricalThrill]

I definitely did not 😆

[@BlackDiamond1967]

And look for Elizabeth, his daughter, in the dress shop!

[@apollo21lmp]

@@BlackDiamond1967 i forgot about her. and his brother Clint played a DJ in the scene where Lenny mentions Cap'n Geech and the Shrimp Shack Shooters

[@runrunrun_runaway2607]

another one of my faves... i'm so glad you enjoyed it!

[@devoncooper8296]

Me too!!! It is always fun to watch🤩

[@marleybob3157]

This movie goes largely unnoticed in the movie CV for Tom Hanks. If one looks at the movies he starred in before and after this movie (1992 - 2002), one might think this little movie was a disappointment. I personally love it and believe it belongs in the insane list of movies that bookend it (A League Of Their Own, Sleepless in Seattle, Philadelphia, Forrest Gump, Apollo 13, Toy Story, That Thing You Do!, Saving Private Ryan, You've Got Mail, Toy Story 2, The Green Mile, Cast Away, Road to Perdition and Catch Me If You Can). I mean, come on!! Who has a run like this in just ten years in the history of movies??

[@RhetoricalThrill]

Jeez, that is actually crazy when you look at it. What a time to be alive, the Tom Hanks Golden Age

[@typhoid_holliw4315]

So this is 1 of my all time favorite movies! as I was watching your reaction I decided to subscribe to your channel. I love that you ended up loving this I'm so happy that it seems to have Brighten your day! There's even an extended edition that flushes out Tina and guy's relationship a little bit and just adds a few more contexts. But it's not even needed it's such a good movie.

[@RhetoricalThrill]

Thanks for watching and subbing! I’m glad I could do one of your favorites justice 😊

[@jurgenschmidt2759]

One of the soundtracks I had to buy after the movie came out, great music! One hit wonders have created so much great music in rock/pop history and will be remembered for that single song, when they were top.

[@RhetoricalThrill]

Some of my favorite songs are one hitters, they usually are extra catchy and have great memories attached

[@hashtagPoundsign]

This movie is in my top 10, I really enjoyed it a lot when it came out, on tv. Eventually added it to my movie collection, then when the extended edition was released, I had to get it. Thank you so very much for the reaction/commentary/review to that thing you do. Looking forward to the next one!

[@RhetoricalThrill]

I need to see that extended edition

[@paintedjaguar]

@@RhetoricalThrill Yeah, you really do. As I recall, it has about 40 extra minutes of character development and deleted subplots, not just a bunch of quick cuts that don't really matter. This is a fun little fun about a band, yes, but it's really a great time capsule of a very specific moment in US culture, one that I loved revisiting.

[@tempsitch5632]

@3:12 LEGENDS ! Steve Zahn (Safe Men with Sam Rockwell. Happy, Texas) and Giovanni Ribisi (The Boiler Room). Also, Steve was Phoebe’s husband on Friends and Giovanni was Phoebe’s brother.

[@bobtausworthe]

@@tempsitch5632 very cool. I knew both Friend's trivia's but hadn't put them together re this movie. Well done

[@paulalexandredumasseauvan2357]

"how you handle it when it's over" ...WISE words! 🤔 enjoyed your reaction 👍☺

[@RhetoricalThrill]

Thank you!

[@EastPeakSlim]

Thanks for reacting to this. So few reactors cover it. The film resonates with me. I'm from the era. I played in garage bands and later as a union guitarist in the SF Bay Area. What always gets me is when they are on tour, song climbing the charts and get new, better equipment. Those Fender guitars and amplifiers, and Guy's Ludwig drum kit are period correct.

[@RhetoricalThrill]

I love when movies take the time to do those little things. I never would have known the difference but there’s always someone who will

[@EastPeakSlim]

@@RhetoricalThrill I forgot to mention Jimmy's Rickenbacker 360-12 twelve-string electric in Fireglo finish.

[@scottluvisi9941]

According to IMDB you hear the song in full or in part 11 times.

[@otisroseboro5613]

One Of My All Time Favorite Movie's,Tom Hanks Is The Best 💯,Nice Reaction Sweetheart ❤❤❤❤

[@tracithomas6543]

Between picking this and Miracle, and your reactions to both, you gained a new Sub. TTYD may be one of the best feel-good movies from the last thirty years.

[@RhetoricalThrill]

It does make you feel good, doesn’t it? It’s so bubbly and happy 😊 And thank you!

[@FeaturingRob]

You might have said something in the full Patreon version, but... - When the band records "That Thing You Do!", Guy's Uncle Bob was played by singer Chris Isaak ("Wicked Game") - In the TV show sequence, the host Troy Chesterfield was played by Tom Hanks old "Bosum Buddy" Peter Scolari, from their Bosum Buddies sitcom days. They remained friends until Peter's passing a few years ago. Also, Astronaut Virgil "Gus" Grissom was played by Bryan "Walter White/Heisenberg" Cranston. Cranston did From the Earth to the Moon for PlayTone (Tom's production company) and played Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin, as well being in the films Saving Private Ryan, Asteroid City, and Larry Crowne with Tom. They are also old friends. - In the Beach movie filming sequence, the director was played by Academy Award-winning director Jonathan Demme (The Silence of the Lambs), who directed Tom to his first Best Actor Oscar for Philadelphia with Denzel Washington. The Wonders movie band name Captain Geech and the Shrimp Shack Shooters was taken from two South Carolina seafood restaurants that were near the Forrest Gump filming locations. Captain Geech's is closed now, but The Shrimp Shack is still open.

[@RhetoricalThrill]

I caught almost none of that, sadly 😂 Bryan Cranston yes, but his scene didn’t add much to this video so it got cut. The rest, big fail on my part 🤣

[@Pixelologist]

5:00 - My favorite bit about their performance at the talent show is watching T.B. Player struggling to keep up. lol

[@tempsitch5632]

@9:32 Even in hysterics, he wipes his feet on the way in. In the late 90’s I ran into Ethan Embry in a grocery store, playing on the floor with a baby, around 21:40 pm on a Sunday night.

[@kevinmassey1164]

Steve Zahn is awesome in this

[@RhetoricalThrill]

I feel like he’s very underrated, he makes me laugh in everything I’ve seen him in. He has the gift of perfect delivery

[@GeometricMason]

fun fact: The movie production company Tom Hanks owns is called Play Tone... after the record company in this movie.

[@philipcone357]

Very good reaction. This was Tom Hanks doing an a monvie about The Beatles aka Hard Days Night. Well done!

[@RhetoricalThrill]

Thank you!

[@jacotromp59581]

Oh wow, how did I completely forget about this movie??? Wow, what a trip down memmory lane this is going to be

[@RhetoricalThrill]

It’s so peppy and fun 🤩

[@gregsteele806]

There's an extended version of this that's worth a watch. It adds a lot of nuance.

[@bozzwick]

Yay! Loved this movie. Had a garage band (like every other teen at the time), and one of the names we kicked around was the “O needers”. The O stood for… Oragasm 😐 “Orgasm needers” Did I mention we were teens? 😂

[@RhetoricalThrill]

Bahahaha 😆

[@jessicamcbee8702]

This is one of my favorite movies and no one talks about it! This movie came out in 1996. I dragged everyone I knew to see the movie. I think I saw it 6 times in the theater!😂 Steve Zahn is my favorite. "Looks like Lenny's goin' fishin'!!"

[@RhetoricalThrill]

WE’RE CAPN GEECH AND THE SHRIMP SHACK SHOOTERS! 🤣

[@jessicamcbee8702]

@ oh, I’m not here with these fellas! I got a pig in competition over at the livestock pavilion and we are going to WIN THAT BLUE RIBBON!

[@Elephant2024]

Great job on your part, RT. Have not come across anyone else who has reacted to this.

[@RhetoricalThrill]

I aim to please 😊

[@paulhewes7333]

In the Director's cut/Deleted scenes, during the montage of the record going up the charts, there is a scene where Guy bursts into TB Player's hotel room to show him something. Guy looks up to find the member of the Chantrellines in TB Player's bed. Guy backs out and shakes TB's hand and gives an approving nod...

[@RhetoricalThrill]

I loved how that whole thing was going on at the periphery of the story, I wonder if that was just something that happened as a result of the cutting or if it was meant to be like that

[@imuawarriors]

this is one of my all-time favorite movies! I clicked on this reaction so fast!!

[@RhetoricalThrill]

Yay! I hope you liked it

[@tomyoung9049]

Like this one. Fun music and good story. Seems to get overlooked for the most part.

[@RichardinNC1]

Such a great movie, definitely an under the radar classic. I fell in love with Liv Tyler as well!

[@denveradams4909]

I can relate to this movie a lot. I am a musician and singer. I sang with a Southern Gospel group for around 20 years, touring regionally and producing many albums over the years. Life on the road was certainly interesting. At the end of 2020, I retired from the band and produced a solo album. I still sing a concert once in awhile, but mostly in church. I am also a modest drummer. I substitute for our regular drummer at my church. Music has been my life for many , many years.

[@RhetoricalThrill]

I’m not a musician in any sense but I envy the drive and talent of people who are

[@CodyCameron82]

Great reaction watched this movie when it came out but it's a been long time since that and appreciate the reaction and the revisit

[@DaleKingProfile]

About time someone reacted to this gem of a movie. The soundtrack is great!

[@RhetoricalThrill]

It’s a bop, as the kids say 😆

[@terrylewis_]

Love this movie!!

[@myfootballjesus]

they ONLY play the ENTIRE song TWICE in the whole movie , so you dont get tired of it, mostly its just clips except the FIRST time and the FINAL time on TV you get the whole song

[@RhetoricalThrill]

Very smart of them!

[@patrickcrippen880]

What a great, fun film. Looking forward to watching with you

[@RhetoricalThrill]

Hope you like it!

[@rexrossman6666]

Great movie. So much heart. Another great movie the startup, trials, and tribulations of a band is"The Commitments". Another awesome soundtrack.

[@jerrykessler2478]

Uncle Bob was played by Chris Isaac, the musician.

[@RhetoricalThrill]

I know of him but didn’t know what he looked like 🙈

[@Elephant2024]

This is an excellent 1996 film that was directed by Tom Hanks. Inspired somewhat by the legendary Beatles and other groups such as the Dave Clark Five and Herman's Hermits, who were part of the musical British invasion of the mid 1960s. From the Wiki: There were at least two real groups named the Wonders who made the record charts at various radio stations in the early 1960s. One was a soul group who had a record called "Please Don't Cry" (b/w "With These Hands") that was cited in the September 1, 1962, issue of Billboard as having "moderate sales potential", but it was not successful. (The flip, however, was played by KCRG in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in the fall of 1962.) The other Wonders had a regional hit record called "Say There" (b/w "Marilyn"; Colpix 699), released in August 1963. A mixed race doo wop group from New York City, they also recorded as the Satans Four. "Say There" hit the Top 20 at WCOL in Columbus, Ohio, and made the top 30 at KQV in Pittsburgh. In addition, the tune made the radio publication The Gavin Report as a regional hit in their August 16, 1963, issue. Some cast members: Liv Tyler (legendary actress/model who is the daughter of Aerosmith's Steven Tyler), Charlize Theron (not well known at the time who would later become a big star), Peter Scolari (who was Tom Hanks co-star on their TV show Bosom Buddies), Chris Isaac (recording star in his own right), Rita Wilson (Tom Hanks' spouse), Colin Hanks (Tom Hanks' son), and Bryan Cranston (Walter White, Breaking Bad).

[@Pixelologist]

Such a fun little piece of cinematic fluff stuffed to the gills with catchy tunes.

[@paintedjaguar]

All of which were actually written for this movie, including a couple composed by Hanks himself. They did a great job of emulating a variety of typical styles one might have heard on the radio back in the day.

[@IDLERACER]

😎👍 I always tell everyone who enjoys this film to also check out Robert Zemeckis' directorial debut, "I Wanna Hold Your Hand." The film was released in 1978, but as you can tell from the title, the story takes place in 1964. To me, it's the single most underappreciated gem of his considerable oeuvre. 😉

[@RhetoricalThrill]

Oooh early Zemekis? Say less

[@SilentBob731]

Such a feel-good Classic, even if it is a bit of an indictment of the Music Industry. 6:18 Rhet: How many times are we gonna hear it? Movie: Yes. 🤘😛🤘 21:40 I volunteer as Tribute.🤟😻 22:32 Actual "One-Hit Wonders" (pretty sure they did that on purpose) are really more of "A Song" than "A Band".

[@RhetoricalThrill]

💜

[@pedroV2003]

From the bottom of my heart thank you for reacting to what I kid you not maybe my all time favorite movie. I am not saying it's the greatest movie but it's a movie that I am always interested in watching. Having grown up, and started music at the same time that this story takes place it hits all the buttons for me. It is by fat the most quotable movie I can think of and if I had only one chance to talk to Tom Hanks it would be to ask him about this movie and what the hell he has against us bass player?! If you enjoyed this movie perhaps you might consider reacting to 'The Commitments'. Another story about a band that I predict you'll love. I am subscribed as a thanks for the reaction.

[@RhetoricalThrill]

I appreciate the sub and great comment! A movie doesn’t have to be the greatest to be a favorite 😊 I can’t see how anyone couldn’t like this one, it just makes your heart happy 💜

[@kevinmassey1164]

This is a really good movie

[@fgrady1]

If you can find it, find the DVD Director’s cut of That THANG you do! It has roughly 20 extra minutes in it. Y’know, for the full experience! I think it’s worth it!

[@dylanmiller2163]

i love this movie so much😭 , i am guy in a nutshell 😂

[@RhetoricalThrill]

🕶️

[@scott8658]

Embry was the 90’s as you said, I don’t relly remember him from anything in the 00’s

[@1mespud]

Did you notice that TB Player wiped his feet when he ran into Patterson's with Faye? 🤣

[@RhetoricalThrill]

I did later, what a sweetie 😂

[@emarjamaa2276]

It doesn't look like you've done Almost Famous on your channel. It's another great movie about music and bands if you haven't seen it already.

[@RhetoricalThrill]

I haven’t seen it, so I’ll add it to my list!

[@Elephant2024]

@@RhetoricalThrill Almost Famous' is a great movie. A must see for any music enthusiast. The 'Tiny Dancer' sing a long bus scene is especially iconic.

[@scotttabacco6527]

BTW A "cock and bull story" is an idiom meaning a completely unbelievable or far-fetched story, often used to describe an excuse someone gives that is obviously not true; essentially, a tall tale or a made-up story that is not credible.

[@RhetoricalThrill]

I just feel like with the “roving hands” part it felt like she was saying more than that 😂 but I could be way off

[@libertyresearch-iu4fy]

You're never going to find out the Ethan Embry character name because in the credits he is listed as T. B. Player (which means 'the bass player').

[@RhetoricalThrill]

I thought I was crazy and I just kept missing it 😂

[@RoGueNavy]

Great movie! I still love the theme song.

[@StephenMcDowell-nd5jg]

One of my favorite movies!!!

[@thethesaxman23]

14:04 ooh anyone who’s ever been in a band feels this!

[@DeweyFinn21]

There is an Extended Cut that adds 40 minutes to the movie. Honestly, the theatrical version just feels incomplete to me because of all the extra context that the 2 hour and 27 minute version has. Like for instance, Tom Hanks' character is gay and has a boyfriend in the extended cut. I hope in the future you can watch the extended cut sometime, even if just for yourself.

[@RhetoricalThrill]

Whoa, that is a significant extended cut! I’ll definitely try to find it

[@JulieWestfall-sb5xg]

New Subscriber. Love this Movie 🎥🍿

[@RhetoricalThrill]

Welcome! I’m glad to have you 😊

[@JulieWestfall-sb5xg]

Thanks. I was actually born on the exact date Guy and Faye were married. I saw this first in the Theater at the end I was excited to see the best couple married. ​@@RhetoricalThrill

[@MrChaes]

One thing that's easy to miss, Tom Hanks characters comment to "watch the Shell" when they touch his head before they left for California. The "Shell" was your hair after a hot comb treatment which left your hair stiff for a few days... BTW, Hanks character is gay, you see him with his boyfriend occasionally.

[@RhetoricalThrill]

Ahh thank you

[@whyhavingfun]

LOVE THIS MOVIE!

[@LordVolkov]

For more of Tom Everett Scott - Dead Man On Campus. Dark late 90s comedy with Mark Paul Gossler (Zach Morris)

[@bobtausworthe]

One of my favorite fun movies. You got all the actors on site which is (sadly) unusual for a reactor so I subscribed. You lost minor marks for missing Clint Howard (Gentle Ben and always in his Bro's movies) and Peter Scolari Tom's costar in Bosom Buddies. Can't wait to see more

[@RhetoricalThrill]

Hard to miss Clint Howard but you’re correct, I don’t always point out everyone I recognize 😊 Peter Scolari I don’t know so fair on that 🤣 welcome to the channel!

[@bobtausworthe]

@RhetoricalThrill Believe me my reply was all in good fun. You did a great job and the fact that you didn't know Pete Scolari only means I am Way too old 😊

[@Stevtrek]

The director's cut is almost an hour longer... but it is really good.

[@RhetoricalThrill]

I didn’t even know there was one until this comment section, I’ll have to try to find it

[@TX427LFC]

Oh, I'm not here with these fellas. I got a piggin' competition over at the livestock pavilion, and I am gonna win that blue ribbon!

[@RhetoricalThrill]

I feel like Steve Zahn is super underrated

[@russellward4624]

I'd buy "Captain geech and the shrimp shack shooters" album.

[@RhetoricalThrill]

Take my money!

[@vicjr74]

I am Spartacus!

[@cspringer333]

Adam Schlesinger who wrote the song and sang backup sadly died of Covid. Mike Viola sang it. Here they are doing a duo. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKPPmIZjqZWeeLc The movie band did a good job of lip syncing and faking it.

[@ryanclark6402]

Makes perfect sense that Jimmy became a producer. I don’t think he was all about the music; he was all about being in charge and “executing his vision.” Seems a logical leap into controlling other bands.

[@StephenMcDowell-nd5jg]

A record … like a record record record..

[@Filmbuff1979]

95,96 release date

[@daveftr01]

Belated condolences re: the Lions :{

[@RhetoricalThrill]

It’s fine, I don’t want them playing in this fake rigged Super Bowl anyway 💙

[@Codyg4444]

Can you watch shutter 2007

[@michaelmythology]

In the director's cut of the movie, it's revealed that Tom Hank's character is gay.

[@RhetoricalThrill]

That’s what I hear, it sounds like it adds a lot into it

[@cpussandfudgy]

Hard to make this movie today. A musician hitting it big after uploading their song on soundcloud or TikTok wouldn't be a very compelling story.

[@RhetoricalThrill]

This story does have a particular 60s specificity. A one hit wonder story would be very different even in the 70s or 80s

[@scotttabacco6527]

No innuendo meant in that

[@thomastimlin1724]

In the wake of the Beatles invasion in 1964, eveyone wanted to start a band. This story take place around 1965...Hanks got it right, managers, one hit Wonders, record company sleeze dogs trying to make a quick buck....Let's please get out of the 90's mindset and park it in 1965, the time period the story takes place. The sound of the Rickenbacher electric 12 string guitar was very prominent during thos years, and on of the band members was playing in a few scenes. The use of the electric 12 strng all started with George Harrison of the Beatles.

[@RhetoricalThrill]

I’m so confused, what did I do?

[@RoGueNavy]

No matter what I see Johnathan Schaech in, he always comes across as a MASSIVE bellend, even if his character is cool.

[@flarrfan]

Did you miss The Bass Player's name? ;)

[@RhetoricalThrill]

In the credits yes 😆 I felt vindicated later when I found out he actually had no name

[@Pixelologist]

20:45 - Cock and bull just means he's tells great stories....most of which are embellished and many of which may or may not actually be true. Why? What were YOU thinking she meant? lol

[@RhetoricalThrill]

Just the way she went from “roving hands” to “cock and bull” felt so intentional 🤣

[@Daehawk]

Guy and Faye were meant to be. He boyfriend was a grade A prick. Guy took care of Faye when she was sick and they should have hit it off from there..

[@orangeandblackattack]

Great reaction to great movie..but the Wonders were definitely no Buddy Holly & the Crickets. Lol

[@RhetoricalThrill]

😂

[@devoncooper8296]

Great reaction! This is just a fun movie to watch🫶