A young boy and his imaginary friend end up on the run while in possession of a top-secret spy gadget.
Cast:
- Henry Thomas as Davey Osborne
- Dabney Coleman as Jack Flack/Hal Osborne
- Michael Murphy as Rice
- Christina Nigra as Kim Gardener
- Jeanette Nolan as Eunice MacCready
- John McIntire as George MacCready
- Bill Forsythe as Morris
1984 memories
Double Features are rare these days. In fact they might not even exist at all. Gone the way of the dodo birds. Back in the 80s Double Features were a common event for movies.
It’s exactly what you’d think pay one ticket price and see two movies, back-to-back. That is how I saw Cloak & Dagger. It was released as a Double Feature with The Last Starfighter, which will also be featured in this series.
I loved Cloak & Dagger! The adventure, the intrigue, the spy games and mystery. It’s what young boys crave.
Cloak & Dagger was also an Atari game. Sadly, I never owned an Atari 5200, the only platform the game was released. I would love to play the game. Maybe I should find an emulator.
I know I’ll still love the movie today but will it hold up for a new audience after forty years? Let’s see…
40th Anniversary Re-watch
Yep, it’s still great. The same adventure and mystery as before.
Starring Henry Thomas the kid who befriended and save E.T. in 1982. The role for Davey Osborne was written specifically for Thomas. The studio was looking to exploit use his talent while he was still young. Thomas did a great job in the role.
Davey is a young kid you loves playing tapletop RPG games and his favorite hero is Jack Flack. After Davey’s mom dies he and his father grow apart and Davey relies on Jack Flack to help him through.
During a trip to an office building to get a game manual Davey witnesses a scientist get shot. Before the man dies he hands Davey a game cartridge of Cloak & Dagger, telling him it holds the key and gives him a code number.
When Davey tells the security guards about the murder they investigate and can’t find a body. Did Davey make the whole thing up? Is it all in his imagination and part of Jack Flack’s gaming?
The movie does a great job keeping the mystery if Davey is telling the truth of if it’s all in his imagination. It’s also a heartwarming story about a little boy who wants nothing more than to be closer to his dad, especially since his mom died.
Thomas was nominated for the Young Artist Award for Best Actor. He won the same award in 1982 for E.T. He lost this award to Noah Hathaway for The NeverEnding Story. Davey carries this movie and casting Thomas was an excellent choice. Other actors may have made this a mediocre, or worse, movie.
I thought Kim was a little annoying, like any little sister-type would be. I liked how they made his friend a girl instead of the obvious tactic of making it another boy. Maybe they did it to give her a little more reason to doubt him. Two boys going through this adventure together would feed off each other and believe everything. Kin added a nice touch of skepticism and disbelief.
Dabney Coleman is great as Jack Flack! And as the father. I thought Jack Flack was the coolest thing ever when I was a kid. Watching the movie again, he is still cool and also a little aggressive with Davey. To the point of almost getting him killed a couple of times.
Favorite Line:
I don’t need [Jack Flack] anymore. I’ve got you, Dad.
Coleman was at the top of his game during this period. From 1980-1085 he was in 15 movies and two season of an award winning TV series, Buffalo Bill. Throughout his career Coleman starred in over 175 movies and TV shows. Coleman won five awards including an Emmy and a Golden Globe. Coleman died in May 2024 at the age of 92.
Colman was on record saying he didn’t get along with Cloak & Dagger director Richard Franklin. He had nothing but good things to say about Thomas. In an interview he said “it was great working with that little kid. Henry Thomas. What a great kid. And a great actor.”
Writer Tom Holland has made some great movies over the years. He wrote Class of 1984, Child’s Play and one of the greatest vampire movies ever, Fright Night. Cloak & Dagger is one of his earlier movies and ranks up there with all his others.
Cloak & Dagger is a fantastic movie. If you saw it in 1984 you’ll still love it. If you haven’t seen it, add it to your watch list, you won’t be disappointed. Cloak & Dagger captures the imagination and adventure of young kids in the 1980s.
Cloak & Dagger was released as a Double Feature with The Last Starfighter on 13 July 1984. It was released on its own on 19 August 1984. It brought in over $9.7 million.
Did you watch Cloak & Dagger? If so let me know your thoughts in the comments below or on X(Twitter). The main Geekster channel is @TRNSocial and I’m @MileHighSamurai You can also find me on Bluesky @MileHighSamurai
8/10 stars
Be the first to comment