Protocol 1984

     Sunny Ann Davis is a nightclub waitress and she stops on her way home to see the President and his royal guest leaving a reception.  The US is asking emir Khala’ad of Othar to allow an American military base in his realm.  Sunny sees a man in the crowd with a gun and she tackles him.  She takes a bullet and ends up in the hospital.  Overnight, she becomes a celebrity and a household name.  The State Department notices how she has charmed the American public and the press.  They establish a job for her in the Protocol Department.  She didn’t plan on this but she is offered a trip to Othar. 

     Trouble seems to follow Sunny.  To help out her former boss, she takes Khala’ad and his party to the nightclub.  The police arrive and several people are arrested.  The White House is probably happy for her trip to Othar?  They are hoping she won’t cause any problems in Othar that will jeopardize the military base.  Hawn was 39 when she was in this film but she claims to be 35 as her character.  There are a LOT of funny moments in this film.  You can see the resemblance Kate Hudson has to her mother.  3* (This movie is OK)

96 min, Comedy directed by Herbert Ross with Goldie Hawn, Chris Sarandon, Richard Romanus, Andre Gregory, Gail Strickland, Cliff De Young, Keith Szarabajka, Ed Begley Jr., James Staley, Kenneth Mars, Jean Smart, Maria O’Brien.

Note:  Imdb 5.4 out of 10, 25% critic 38% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Roger Ebert 2 ½*, Amazon 4.3* out of 5* with 164 reviews.

Special Note:  Filmed in Tunisia; Burbank, California; Washington, DC.  Buck Henry wrote the screenplay and it borrows heavily from Mr. Smith Goes to Washington of 1939 and Born Yesterday of 1950.  This is the first film for Amanda Bearse and one year later she co-stared in the film Fright Night of 1985 with Chris Sarandon from this film.  Hawn was also in Swing Shift of 1984.  There is a credit at the end of the film from Hawn, “For You, Dad. Love, Kink.”