Up in Smoke: Special Collector's Edition

Hey man. Once upon a time, standup comedians Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong were the darlings of youthful, anti-establishment Americans who embraced the burgeoning counterculture and found humor in promiscuous drug use. As the principal practitioners of this outrageous brand of comedy, Cheech and Chong delighted audiences and sold more than 10 million albums featuring their standup routines. Hollywood came calling in 1978, and Up in Smoke became the first of several feature films starring the drugged-out duo. Not surprisingly, the film doesn't really have a plot, just a central situation: the out-of-work stoners smuggle a van of marijuana from Mexico to Los Angeles, eluding police along the way while also sharing a series of misadventures that culminate in a riotous finale in which Cheech dons a pink tutu and Chong dresses up as a red Quaalude to perform at Hollywood's Roxy Theatre. While the intervening years have taken the edge off, Up in Smoke will still be a fun nostalgia trip for many. DVD extras include audio commentary from Cheech and director Lou Adler, deleted scenes, a retrospective featurette, an animated music video for “Earache My Eye,” Cheech & Chong's “The Man Song” (compiling every use of the word “man” in the film), and two vintage radio spots. A strong optional purchase. (E. Hulse)