by Elmo Adams

Created on: October 13, 2008

Any fan of the History Channel knows that a true devotee of the verse of Nostradamus can go in, look around, and find a reference to most anything from Napoleon to Hitler, Pearl Harbor to 9-11. Only a few know that the 1980 classic comedy film, "Caddyshack" reveals our future in much the same way. The film also serves up a large helping of low brow humor such as the "candy bar" incident, and to the too casual observer, this can deflect one from the serious side of the work.

Originally, the movie was to be a light romp about a dying breed of amateur golf, caddies. But the producers assembled such a group of comedic talent that they knew they had to write something with a higher purpose. What they crafted was a tale of class warfare foretelling of the future.

At the bottom of the food chain is Carl Spackler (Bill Murray), a member of the grounds crew at Bushwood Country Club - a blatant reference to the current administration. Like citizens with no compass, then and always, many of Carl's concerns make him his own worst enemy. He is a jack of all trades at the club, but often daydreams of women, guns, and athletic accomplishment. He further dilutes his efforts by use of mind altering substances, legal and not. But Carl is not just an empty shirt.

He exhibits an entrepreneurial spirit as he seeks to develop his own variety of turf grass. Dogged determination is displayed as he pursues the annoying gopher as well as a spiritual side when he fondly remembers his encounter with the Dali Lama. Almost thirty years later, you will hear Carl quoted on golf courses around the world: "Cinderella story ...tears in his eyes ... about to become the Masters Champion."

One rung up is the central character, Danny Noonan. His is the poster family for birth control. The film begins with a collection of children so large that it reminds us of "Oliver." Like Carl, Danny flirts with the idea of a better life, but shows nothing that would resemble a commitment toward it. A well turned ankle will derail any thoughts he might have of college.

The descriptors of the upper classes who make up the membership of Bushwood reveal more complex characters that show us the future (our today). We are told what we already know but seldom consider if we are not, ourselves, rich. Director Harold Ramis, amazingly in his first effort as a director, paints on a wide canvas as he takes us into the world of the rich and the very rich.

To further illustrate how talent laden this film is, the small part of one

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