Stars of the movie "That Thing You Do" have reunited to help raise support for efforts against the coronavirus pandemic yesterday, April 17.
The world keeps on finding ways to keep each other company in the middle of quarantine. Previously, we had Sean "Diddy" Combs and Jennifer Lopez in a virtual "dance-a-thon," while Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake sent fans raving with an Instagram exchange.
Now, actors Tom Everett Scott, Johnathon Schaech, Ethan Embry, and Steve Zahn got together on Zoom, prompting audiences around the world to "make some noise" for the healthcare workers on the frontlines. The members of the fictional band, The Wonders, in the 1996 musical comedy watched a Zoomed televise of "That Thing You Do" from their respective homes, made their personal commentaries and reconnected with their fans.
Aside from members of the on-screen one hit wonder, guests dropped in to share their messages, including co-stars Colin Hanks, Kevin Pollak, and Giovanni Ribisi who all appeared in the original 1996 flick.
The actors also invited the audience to donate for the cause. To help raise funds, The Wonders auctioned up a very rare edition vinyl of the film's soundtrack. The OST vinyl is one of only five existing copies, which are test press copies of the full retail edition from Mondo music and Playtone; the mass produced version to be available later this year.
The auctions for the rare vinyl has gone past $5,000.
Tom Hanks, who directed the film and played the role of Playtone representative Mr. White, announced the big event on Twitter.
Reunion of The Wonders (Oneders) today YouTube @ 4 PDT. Raising $ with That Thing They Did! A hit record! Good, boys! Amos White — Tom Hanks (@tomhanks) April 17, 2020
Remembering a Genius Songwriter
Donations from the Zoom session will be made to MusiCares under the name Adam Schlesinger, 52-year-old musician and songwriter behind the movie's title track.
The Wonders partnered with MusiCares Covid-19 Relief Fund to raise funds for people working in the music industry gravely affected by the global pandemic forcing the cancellation and postponement of concerts, festivals, and events.
Schlesinger is perhaps best known as bassist and songwriter for rock band Fountains of Wayne, penning the iconic "Stacy's Mom." He also wrote songs for "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend," earning him two Tony nominations. His title track for the Hanks' movie, "That Thing You Do," got him an Oscar nomination. He passed away last April 1 due to complications from coronavirus.
In an earlier interview with Rolling Stone, Tom Everett Scott credited Schlesinger's songwriting genius behind the success of "That Thing You Do." Scoot said "He had to make a song that sounded like it was a hit song from the sixties."
That Thing You Do
"That Thing You Do!" was Tom Hanks' directorial debut film, released in 1996. It follows the fictional 1960s band "The Wonders," a one-hit wonder pop band behind the hit titular track. The quartet of Guy Patterson (Scott), Jimmy Mattingly (Schaech), Lenny Haise (Zahn), and T.B. Player (Embry) forms the band, which later secures a recording contract with Playtone Records, represented by Mr. White (Tom Hanks)
As their hit song dominates the airwaves, the band members know more about the industry, grow as performers, and meet people from other groups. The movie also passes through the usual issues a famous group experiences, such as band infighting and contract breaches. It also glimpses the post-fame careers of The Wonders.
