SUMMARY:
Produced by Gemmy Industries, Inc., this lightweight, plush 6” x 14” animatronic gopher has a built-in plastic base where its red button will play the 1980 comedy’s laid-back “I’m Alright” theme. For about thirty-five seconds, swiveling its heads, paws, hips, and knees, the ‘Dancing Gopher’ makes with the shimmy and performs its memorable boogie from the movie’s closing credits.
For when the time comes: open its battery hatch with a screwdriver where your ‘Gopher’ buddy will require four AA batteries.
REVIEW:
It’s a wonderful office decoration that delivers some chuckles, as long as the batteries last. Otherwise, it’s just a plushie on a pedestal. Based on prior experience, there are evidently two different versions, though the gopher itself remains identical. When initially released, the ‘Dancing Gopher’ clearly played Kenny Loggins’ rendition of “I’m Alright.” Yet, when it eventually came time to replace the initial batteries, the ‘Kenny Loggins’ gopher’s electronics didn’t work again. Though it may have been a fluke, this reviewer’s first ‘Dancing Gopher’ was literally a one-hit wonder.
Years later, another ‘Gopher’ was found (presumably, a re-release), which now plays a generic cover of “I’m Alright.” Chancing whether or not replacing the batteries is really a fool’s errand, this reviewer found that battery replacement works on this second ‘Gopher.’ Assuming all goes well, Caddyshack’s Dancing Gopher is a fun stress reliever, particularly on tough workdays, or, as this reviewer can attest, to liven up staff meetings.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars
