Medusa Challenger
Encyclopedia
Medusa Challenger is an award-winning dramatic short film that was Joe Mantegna
’s first film. The film has been honored with numerous film festival awards and critical accolades. The film is in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the American Film Institute Collection in Washington, D.C., and the Chicago Film Archives. The film is one of the few American films widely seen (legally) in the People’s Republic of China.
s, Uncle Jack (Jack Wallace) and his nephew Joey (Joe Mantegna), who sell flowers on the busy Lake Shore Drive bridge
in downtown Chicago. When the huge cement boat, “Medusa Challenger,” causes the drawbridge to be raised and traffic to be stopped, Jack and Joey become separated. Jack is chatting with Al the bridge tender in the tower where the bridge controls are located while Joey is watching "the stuff," the fresh flowers they hope to sell, on the other side of the bridge. Jack worries about Joey since Joey is mentally challenged. Jack is determined to get across the river so he commandeers a rowboat and rows across the Chicago River
just as the big boat steams straight towards him. However, Joey rises to the occasion and sells all the flowers to the cars stopped by the bridge raising. Jack learns a new appreciation of Joey’s abilities and potential.
“S” curve was straightened. The film was released in theaters in 1977, premiering at Chicago’s Biograph Theater. “Medusa Challenger” was produced by Phillip Koch and written and directed by Steven Elkins.
In 1998, the actual “Medusa Challenger” vessel, the largest freighter to sail the Great Lakes, 552 feet long, was sold to another company and renamed “Southdown Challenger.” On April 28, 2005, the name and registration of the Southdown Challenger was changed once again to St. Marys Challenger with the new name being painted on her hull. She is also the oldest operating vessel on the Great Lakes.
The drawbridge over Lake Shore Drive at the Chicago River is one of the largest double bascule bridge
in America.
“Every once in a while a film comes along which is a pure joy to watch. The film is a gem, a ray of sunshine that brightens the day. ‘Medusa Challenger’ is such a film. Anyone who sees this film will come away richer for it.”—Barbara Flynn, Film News
“Engaging and quietly touching…The movie has the clarity of narrative and bittersweet view of human nature of an O. Henry story.”—Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
“Beautifully acted and produced…a moving and loving short film. They have seen that area…with an eye for beauty that could only come from affectionate natives.”—Richard Christiansen, Chicago Daily News
“Excellent. Mantegna’s performance is a masterpiece. A hauntingly beautiful musical score. A cinematic folk poem.”—David Jones, Chicago Reader
Joe Mantegna
Joseph Anthony "Joe" Mantegna, Jr. is an American actor, producer, writer,director, and voice actor. He is best known for his roles in box office hits such as Three Amigos , The Godfather Part III , Forget Paris , and Up Close & Personal...
’s first film. The film has been honored with numerous film festival awards and critical accolades. The film is in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the American Film Institute Collection in Washington, D.C., and the Chicago Film Archives. The film is one of the few American films widely seen (legally) in the People’s Republic of China.
Plot
Medusa Challenger is the story of two flower sellerFlower seller
A flower seller, normally a woman, traditionally sells flowers on the street. Often the flowers are carried, in a basket for example. The subject matter has been a favorite of artists. The profession has mostly died out in countries like the United Kingdom, but still exists in others such as India....
s, Uncle Jack (Jack Wallace) and his nephew Joey (Joe Mantegna), who sell flowers on the busy Lake Shore Drive bridge
Link Bridge
The Link Bridge is the official name of the bridge carrying the Lake Shore Drive portion of U.S. Route 41 over the main branch of the Chicago River in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It is designed as a bascule bridge, and is one of only two in the city to have an upper and lower deck.- History :The Link...
in downtown Chicago. When the huge cement boat, “Medusa Challenger,” causes the drawbridge to be raised and traffic to be stopped, Jack and Joey become separated. Jack is chatting with Al the bridge tender in the tower where the bridge controls are located while Joey is watching "the stuff," the fresh flowers they hope to sell, on the other side of the bridge. Jack worries about Joey since Joey is mentally challenged. Jack is determined to get across the river so he commandeers a rowboat and rows across the Chicago River
Chicago River
The Chicago River is a system of rivers and canals with a combined length of that runs through the city of the same name, including its center . Though not especially long, the river is notable for being the reason why Chicago became an important location, as the link between the Great Lakes and...
just as the big boat steams straight towards him. However, Joey rises to the occasion and sells all the flowers to the cars stopped by the bridge raising. Jack learns a new appreciation of Joey’s abilities and potential.
Background/production
“Medusa Challenger” was shot in the summer of 1976, before the Lake Shore DriveLake Shore Drive
Lake Shore Drive is a mostly freeway-standard expressway running parallel with and alongside the shoreline of Lake Michigan through Chicago, Illinois, USA. Except for the portion north of Foster Avenue , Lake Shore Drive is designated as part of U.S...
“S” curve was straightened. The film was released in theaters in 1977, premiering at Chicago’s Biograph Theater. “Medusa Challenger” was produced by Phillip Koch and written and directed by Steven Elkins.
In 1998, the actual “Medusa Challenger” vessel, the largest freighter to sail the Great Lakes, 552 feet long, was sold to another company and renamed “Southdown Challenger.” On April 28, 2005, the name and registration of the Southdown Challenger was changed once again to St. Marys Challenger with the new name being painted on her hull. She is also the oldest operating vessel on the Great Lakes.
The drawbridge over Lake Shore Drive at the Chicago River is one of the largest double bascule bridge
Bascule bridge
A bascule bridge is a moveable bridge with a counterweight that continuously balances the span, or "leaf," throughout the entire upward swing in providing clearance for boat traffic....
in America.
Critical reception
“A gem. A….masterpiece of economic cinematic storytelling…that in its flawless economy recalls classic shorts such as Roman Polanski’s ‘Two Men and A Wardrobe.’ Generates considerable suspense because Wallace and Mantegna are such good actors.”—Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times“Every once in a while a film comes along which is a pure joy to watch. The film is a gem, a ray of sunshine that brightens the day. ‘Medusa Challenger’ is such a film. Anyone who sees this film will come away richer for it.”—Barbara Flynn, Film News
“Engaging and quietly touching…The movie has the clarity of narrative and bittersweet view of human nature of an O. Henry story.”—Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
“Beautifully acted and produced…a moving and loving short film. They have seen that area…with an eye for beauty that could only come from affectionate natives.”—Richard Christiansen, Chicago Daily News
“Excellent. Mantegna’s performance is a masterpiece. A hauntingly beautiful musical score. A cinematic folk poem.”—David Jones, Chicago Reader
Awards and recognition
- 1977: Recipient of Arts Grant, Illinois Arts Council
- 1978: Blue Ribbon, American Film Festival
- 1978: Gold Plaque, Chicago International Film FestivalChicago International Film FestivalThe Chicago International Film Festival is an annual film festival held every fall. Founded in 1964, it is the longest-running competitive film festival in North America....
- 1978: Gold Medal, Virgin Islands Film Festival
- 1978: Special Jury Award, Virgin Islands Film Festival
- 1978: Special Jury Award, San Francisco International Film FestivalSan Francisco International Film FestivalSan Francisco International Film Festival is the oldest continuously running film festival in the Americas. Organized by the San Francisco Film Society, the International is held each spring for two weeks, presenting an average of 150 films from over 50 countries...
- 1978: Selected Film for Young Adults, American Library AssociationAmerican Library AssociationThe American Library Association is a non-profit organization based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally. It is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with more than 62,000 members....
- 1978: screening, Melbourne International Film FestivalMelbourne International Film FestivalThe Melbourne International Film Festival is an acclaimed annual film festival held over three weeks in Melbourne, Australia. It was founded in 1951, making it one of the oldest in the World....
- 1980: Emmy Award, Chicago Chapter, National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences
- 1980: Permanent Collection, Museum of Modern Art, New York
- 1986: USA Independent Showcase, American Film InstituteAmerican Film InstituteThe American Film Institute is an independent non-profit organization created by the National Endowment for the Arts, which was established in 1967 when President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act...
- 2008: added to American Film Institute Collection