Tha Last Polka

The Happy Wanderers!


I really miss John Candy. If you were to ask me who my favorite comic actor is, it'd have to be a tie between Bill Murray and this guy. As a kid, It was John Candy, hands down. If you like John Candy, Eugene Levy and SCTV, find yourself a copy of the 1982 HBO mockumentary, The Last Polka, which I only recently realized was a spoof on Scorcese's documentary about The Band's final concert at Madison Square Garden, The Last Waltz.

The Last Polka was written by John Candy and Eugene Levy and is based on SCTV characters, Yosh and Stan Shmenge. It also has Catherine O'Hara and Rick Moranis. I rented it and made myself a dub (sorry, FBI). There's been a tape in my family of this, but it was recorded off of HBO back in the early 80's. I'm glad to have updated it. At least it's in stereo, now.

While Christopher Guest and Co. were doing This is Spinal Tap, Eugene Levy and other Second City players were on SCTV north of the border in Toronto. They'd later team up to make mockumentaries about dog shows, community theater and folk bands. I think The Last Polka is every bit as funny as This is Spinal Tap. It's just a little shorter and smaller in scope. Plus, where else do you get to see Rick Moranis sing a polka version of The Doors' "Touch Me?" If you want a copy, let me know and I'll send you one (again, sorry, FBI).