Archie: To Riverdale and Back Again
Encyclopedia
Archie: To Riverdale and Back Again (released on video as Archie: Return to Riverdale) was a live-action
television movie
based on comic book
characters published by Archie Comics
. It was produced by DiC
and premiered on NBC
Sunday Night at the Movies in 1990.
The concept behind the movie was to combine the long-standing familiarity of Archie and the gang from the comics with adult issues. In this sense, it can be seen as being similar to other "updates" of family-friendly concepts for television such as The Bradys
.
, fifteen years after graduating from Riverdale High, has become a successful lawyer and is getting ready to marry his fiancée, Pam, and move to "the big city." Before doing that, however, he returns home to Riverdale
for his high school reunion
.
Archie and company are all now in their early thirties, with the trials and tribulations one might expect to have happened to such a group over the years:
When Archie sees Betty and Veronica for the first time in fifteen years, all his old feelings for them come flooding back, threatening his engagement—and it doesn't help that the girls renew their pursuit of Archie, heedless of the fact that he has a fiancée. Meanwhile, Archie also tries to keep gym owner Reggie
, helped along by an uncharacteristically menacing Mr. Lodge
, from evicting Pop Tate from his soda shop
. Archie ultimately saves the Chock'lit Shoppe, though he loses Pam in the bargain, and decides to stay in Riverdale.
Additional characters were mostly created for the movie to indicate the passage of time, such as the regulars' children or new romantic partners:
, having been beaten by the primetime
premiere of the Kevin Costner
/Sean Connery
remake of The Untouchables
on CBS
and the powerful combination of Married… with Children and In Living Color
on FOX
.
published a one-shot comic book adaptation of the TV movie which coincided with its premiere. Stan Goldberg
and Mike Esposito
drew the sections of the book featuring the characters in flashback as teens, while Gene Colan
drew characters as adults, in a less cartoony style.
Live action
In filmmaking, video production, and other media, the term live action refers to cinematography, videography not produced using animation...
television movie
Television movie
A television film is a feature film that is a television program produced for and originally distributed by a television network, in contrast to...
based on comic book
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
characters published by Archie Comics
Archie Comics
Archie Comics is an American comic book publisher headquartered in the Village of Mamaroneck, Town of Mamaroneck, New York, known for its many series featuring the fictional teenagers Archie Andrews, Betty Cooper, Veronica Lodge, Reggie Mantle and Jughead Jones. The characters were created by...
. It was produced by DiC
DiC Entertainment
DIC Entertainment was an international film and television production company. In addition to animated television shows such as Ulysses 31 , Inspector Gadget , The Littles , The Real Ghostbusters , Captain Planet and the Planeteers , and the first two seasons of the English adaptation of...
and premiered on NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
Sunday Night at the Movies in 1990.
The concept behind the movie was to combine the long-standing familiarity of Archie and the gang from the comics with adult issues. In this sense, it can be seen as being similar to other "updates" of family-friendly concepts for television such as The Bradys
The Bradys
The Bradys is a six-episode American drama series that aired on CBS in 1990. It was a revival of the early 1970s sitcom, The Brady Bunch , and was about the trials and tribulations of the extended Brady family some 15 years after the end of the earlier series...
.
Plot
Archie AndrewsArchie Andrews (comics)
Archie Andrews, created in 1941 by Vic Bloom and Bob Montana, is a fictional character in an American comic book series published by Archie Comics, as well as the long-running Archie Andrews radio series, a syndicated comic strip, The Archie Show, and Archie's Weird Mysteries.-Character and...
, fifteen years after graduating from Riverdale High, has become a successful lawyer and is getting ready to marry his fiancée, Pam, and move to "the big city." Before doing that, however, he returns home to Riverdale
Riverdale (Archie Comics)
Riverdale is a fictional town somewhere in the United States that is the setting for most of the various characters that appear in Archie Comics...
for his high school reunion
Class reunion
A class reunion is a meeting of former classmates, typically organized at or near their former school by one of the class on or around an anniversary of their graduation. Former teachers may be invited as well...
.
Archie and company are all now in their early thirties, with the trials and tribulations one might expect to have happened to such a group over the years:
- BettyBetty CooperBetty Cooper is a fictional character of Archie Comics, the blonde-haired daughter of Hal and Alice Cooper. Betty likes sports, and is also a cheerleader. Betty was created in December 1941. Her older brother Chic Cooper and older sister Polly Cooper have both moved out of Riverdale, their hometown...
, a grade schoolPrimary educationA primary school is an institution in which children receive the first stage of compulsory education known as primary or elementary education. Primary school is the preferred term in the United Kingdom and many Commonwealth Nations, and in most publications of the United Nations Educational,...
teacher, is constantly bossed around by her crummy boyfriend, Robert. - VeronicaVeronica LodgeVeronica Lodge is a fictional character in the Archie Comics books series.-Fictional history and character:She is called both by her name Veronica and her nickname Ronnie...
, having lived in FranceFranceThe French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
since graduation, has been married (and divorced) four times. - JugheadJughead JonesJughead Jones is a fictional character in Archie Comics who first appeared in the comic in December 1941. He is the son of Forsythe II; although in one of the early Archie newspaper comic strips, he himself is identified as Forsythe Van Jones II...
, now a psychiatristPsychiatryPsychiatry is the medical specialty devoted to the study and treatment of mental disorders. These mental disorders include various affective, behavioural, cognitive and perceptual abnormalities...
, is also a divorcé with a son, Jordan. Jughead carries emotional baggageEmotional baggageEmotional baggage can be defined as 'Painful memories, mistrust and hurt carried around from past sexual or emotional rejection'.It is an image of 'a big sack that you carry around with you at all times...[with] every disappointment, trauma, and wrong that you've ever experienced....This image, the...
that manifests itself in a terrible fear of women. (A running gagRunning gagA running gag, or running joke, is a literary device that takes the form of an amusing joke or a comical reference and appears repeatedly throughout a work of literature or other form of storytelling....
in the movie is Jughead's desperation to avoid seeing Big EthelBig Ethel"Big" Ethel is a fictional character by Archie Comics. She is a student of Riverdale High School, known to her schoolmates by the nickname Big Ethel, though this nickname has virtually fallen out of use since the 1990s...
during his visit to Riverdale.) This is played for laughs at the end when at the reunion it turns out that Big Ethel is no longer the gangly, awkward teenager she once was but is now a striking beauty. - MooseMoose MasonMoose Mason is a fictional character in the Archie Comics universe. He attends Riverdale High School where he is typically depicted as the best athlete but the poorest student. His difficulties with school were later attributed to dyslexia...
and MidgeMidge KlumpMidge Klump is a fictional character appearing Archie Comics.-History:The character of Midge was designed by Dan DeCarlo and bears an uncanny resemblance to pin-ups he did for men's magazines just before he started working for Archie Comics. She was originally created simply to serve as Moose's...
have gotten married and become chiropractorsChiropracticChiropractic is a health care profession concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disorders of the neuromusculoskeletal system and the effects of these disorders on general health. It is generally categorized as complementary and alternative medicine...
. They also have a son, Max, who hits it off with Jordan.
When Archie sees Betty and Veronica for the first time in fifteen years, all his old feelings for them come flooding back, threatening his engagement—and it doesn't help that the girls renew their pursuit of Archie, heedless of the fact that he has a fiancée. Meanwhile, Archie also tries to keep gym owner Reggie
Reggie Mantle
Reggie Mantle is a fictional character in the Archie Comics book. His full name is given as Reginald Mantle, but he is usually called by his nickname Reggie, and sometimes refers to himself as "Mantle, The Magnificent." The character was introduced in 1942...
, helped along by an uncharacteristically menacing Mr. Lodge
Hiram Lodge
Hiram Lodge is a fictional character by Archie Comics. He is married to Hermione Lodge and they have a daughter, Veronica Lodge. He is also the richest man in Riverdale . Bob Montana, creator of the original Archie characters, knew the Lodges, a Massachusetts Brahmin political family because he...
, from evicting Pop Tate from his soda shop
Soda shop
A Soda shop, also often known as a Malt shop, is a business akin to an ice cream parlor and a drugstore soda fountain. Interiors were often furnished with a large mirror behind a marble counter with gooseneck spouts, plus spinning stools, round marble-topped tables and wireframe sweetheart...
. Archie ultimately saves the Chock'lit Shoppe, though he loses Pam in the bargain, and decides to stay in Riverdale.
Cast
Almost all of the characters in the movie are regular or recurring characters in the originating comics:| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Christopher Rich Christopher Rich (American actor) Christopher Rich Wilson is an American actor, best known for his roles on Murphy Brown and Reba .-Career:... |
Archie Andrews Archie Andrews (comics) Archie Andrews, created in 1941 by Vic Bloom and Bob Montana, is a fictional character in an American comic book series published by Archie Comics, as well as the long-running Archie Andrews radio series, a syndicated comic strip, The Archie Show, and Archie's Weird Mysteries.-Character and... |
| Lauren Holly Lauren Holly Lauren Michael Holly is an American actress. She is known for her roles as Deputy Sheriff Maxine Stewart in the TV series Picket Fences, as Mary Swanson in the 1994 film Dumb & Dumber, and as Jenny Shepard on the TV series NCIS. She was married to comic actor Jim Carrey from 1996 to... |
Betty Cooper Betty Cooper Betty Cooper is a fictional character of Archie Comics, the blonde-haired daughter of Hal and Alice Cooper. Betty likes sports, and is also a cheerleader. Betty was created in December 1941. Her older brother Chic Cooper and older sister Polly Cooper have both moved out of Riverdale, their hometown... |
| Karen Kopins Karen Kopins Karen Kopins Shaw is an American actress and former model. Her acting career is mostly under her maiden name.-Early life:Kopins was Miss Connecticut 1977, having entered the pageant as Miss Ridgefield... |
Veronica Lodge Veronica Lodge Veronica Lodge is a fictional character in the Archie Comics books series.-Fictional history and character:She is called both by her name Veronica and her nickname Ronnie... |
| Sam Whipple Sam Whipple Sampson E. "Sam" Whipple was an American actor best remembered for his role as Dr. John Ballard on the TV series Seven Days.His credits include The Doors, Airheads and The Rock... |
Forsythe "Jughead" Jones Jughead Jones Jughead Jones is a fictional character in Archie Comics who first appeared in the comic in December 1941. He is the son of Forsythe II; although in one of the early Archie newspaper comic strips, he himself is identified as Forsythe Van Jones II... |
| Gary Kroeger Gary Kroeger Gary Kroeger is an American actor best known for his work on Saturday Night Live from 1982 to 1985.Born in Cedar Falls, Iowa, Kroeger attended Northern University High School and graduated from Northwestern University in 1981. He joined the cast of Saturday Night Live during Lorne Michaels' hiatus... |
Reggie Mantle Reggie Mantle Reggie Mantle is a fictional character in the Archie Comics book. His full name is given as Reginald Mantle, but he is usually called by his nickname Reggie, and sometimes refers to himself as "Mantle, The Magnificent." The character was introduced in 1942... |
| Jeff Hochendoner | Moose Mason Moose Mason Moose Mason is a fictional character in the Archie Comics universe. He attends Riverdale High School where he is typically depicted as the best athlete but the poorest student. His difficulties with school were later attributed to dyslexia... |
| Debi Derryberry Debi Derryberry Debi Derryberry is an American voice actress, singer, composer and kids' entertainer who won an American Anime Award.-History:... |
Midge Mason Midge Klump Midge Klump is a fictional character appearing Archie Comics.-History:The character of Midge was designed by Dan DeCarlo and bears an uncanny resemblance to pin-ups he did for men's magazines just before he started working for Archie Comics. She was originally created simply to serve as Moose's... |
| Mike Nussbaum Mike Nussbaum Michael Nussbaum is an American actor and director.From the start of his acting career in the 1950s, Nussbaum has appeared in many of David Mamet's plays both on and off Broadway, as well as in Chicago... |
Pop Tate Pop Tate For the 19th-century baseball player, see Pop Tate ."Pop" Tate, a fictional character in the fictional Archie universe, is the owner and manager of the Chok'lit Shoppe, a soda shop and frequent hangout of Archie's Gang... |
| Fran Ryan Fran Ryan Fran Ryan was an American character actress featured in television and films. She was born in Los Angeles, California.... |
Miss Grundy Miss Grundy Geraldine Grundy is a fictional character of the Archie Comics series.-Fictional history and character:In the comics, she is the homeroom teacher at Riverdale High School, occasionally teaching English and Math, as well. In Jackpot Comics #4, she is referred to as "Mrs. Grundy, the principal",... |
| David Doyle | Mr. Weatherbee Mr. Weatherbee Waldo Weatherbee is a fictional character in the Archie Comics universe. Mr. Weatherbee is the principal of Riverdale High School, where Archie Andrews is a student. To Riverdale students and staff, he is commonly called Mr. Weatherbee, due to his authority position. Sometimes, Archie and his... |
| J.D. Hall | Coach Clayton Coach Clayton Coach Clayton is a fictional character, an African American coach of the Archie Comics universe. He is Chuck Clayton's father. He first appeared in Archie at Riverdale High #14.... |
| Cindy Ambuehl Cindy Ambuehl Cindy Ambuehl , is an American actress and fashion designer.She played Sophie in Seinfeld's season 9 episode "The Burning".... |
Ethel Muggs (Big Ethel) Big Ethel "Big" Ethel is a fictional character by Archie Comics. She is a student of Riverdale High School, known to her schoolmates by the nickname Big Ethel, though this nickname has virtually fallen out of use since the 1990s... |
| James Noble James Noble (actor) James Noble is an American actor best known for his portrayal of the slightly daffy Governor Eugene Gatling on the 1980s sitcom Benson. He began his career in soap operas, most notably, The Brighter Day; As the World Turns, The Doctors and A World Apart... |
Hiram Lodge Hiram Lodge Hiram Lodge is a fictional character by Archie Comics. He is married to Hermione Lodge and they have a daughter, Veronica Lodge. He is also the richest man in Riverdale . Bob Montana, creator of the original Archie characters, knew the Lodges, a Massachusetts Brahmin political family because he... |
Additional characters were mostly created for the movie to indicate the passage of time, such as the regulars' children or new romantic partners:
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Billy Corben | Jordan "Jughead Junior" Jones |
| Aeryk Egan | Max Mason |
| Matt McCoy Matt McCoy (actor) Matt McCoy is an American actor.McCoy was born in Ohio. Since starring as Sgt. Nick Lassard in two Police Academy films, his motion picture credits have included the Curtis Hanson films The Hand That Rocks the Cradle and L.A. Confidential , as well as the action comedy National Security ... |
Robert Miller |
| Christina Haag | Pam |
Reception
The NBC movie, broadcast during the May sweeps period, was seen as a pilot for a possible series. Despite well-received performances from the actors and actresses portraying the Archie characters, however, the movie finished a disappointing 51st in the Nielsen ratingsNielsen Ratings
Nielsen ratings are the audience measurement systems developed by Nielsen Media Research, in an effort to determine the audience size and composition of television programming in the United States...
, having been beaten by the primetime
Prime time
Prime time or primetime is the block of broadcast programming during the middle of the evening for television programing.The term prime time is often defined in terms of a fixed time period—for example, from 19:00 to 22:00 or 20:00 to 23:00 Prime time or primetime is the block of broadcast...
premiere of the Kevin Costner
Kevin Costner
Kevin Michael Costner is an American actor, singer, musician, producer, director, and businessman. He has been nominated for three BAFTA Awards, won two Academy Awards, and two Golden Globe Awards. Costner's roles include Lt. John J...
/Sean Connery
Sean Connery
Sir Thomas Sean Connery , better known as Sean Connery, is a Scottish actor and producer who has won an Academy Award, two BAFTA Awards and three Golden Globes Sir Thomas Sean Connery (born 25 August 1930), better known as Sean Connery, is a Scottish actor and producer who has won an Academy...
remake of The Untouchables
The Untouchables (1987 film)
The Untouchables is a 1987 American crime-drama film directed by Brian De Palma and written by David Mamet. Based on the book The Untouchables, the film stars Kevin Costner as government agent Eliot Ness. It also stars Robert De Niro as gang leader Al Capone and Sean Connery as Irish-American...
on CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
and the powerful combination of Married… with Children and In Living Color
In Living Color
In Living Color is an American sketch comedy television series, which originally ran on the Fox Network from April 15, 1990 to May 19, 1994. Brothers Keenen and Damon Wayans created, wrote, and starred in the program. The show was produced by Ivory Way Productions in association with 20th Century...
on FOX
Fox Broadcasting Company
Fox Broadcasting Company, commonly referred to as Fox Network or simply Fox , is an American commercial broadcasting television network owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Launched on October 9, 1986, Fox was the highest-rated broadcast network in the...
.
Comic Book Version
Archie ComicsArchie Comics
Archie Comics is an American comic book publisher headquartered in the Village of Mamaroneck, Town of Mamaroneck, New York, known for its many series featuring the fictional teenagers Archie Andrews, Betty Cooper, Veronica Lodge, Reggie Mantle and Jughead Jones. The characters were created by...
published a one-shot comic book adaptation of the TV movie which coincided with its premiere. Stan Goldberg
Stan Goldberg
Stan Goldberg is an American comic book artist best known for his work as a flagship artist of Archie Comics and as a Marvel Comics' 1960s colorist, who helped design the original color schemes of Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four and other major characters.-Career:Stan Goldberg began work in the...
and Mike Esposito
Mike Esposito (comics)
Mike Esposito , who sometimes used the pseudonyms Mickey Demeo, Mickey Dee, Michael Dee, and Joe Gaudioso, was an American comic book artist whose work for DC Comics, Marvel Comics and others spanned the 1950s to the 2000s...
drew the sections of the book featuring the characters in flashback as teens, while Gene Colan
Gene Colan
Eugene Jules "Gene" Colan was an American comic book artist best known for his work for Marvel Comics, where his signature titles include the superhero series, Daredevil, the cult-hit satiric series Howard the Duck, and The Tomb of Dracula, considered one of comics' classic horror series...
drew characters as adults, in a less cartoony style.