Happy Gilmore 1 🎥 1996 Movie Info

Plot Summary

Happy Gilmore is an aspiring ice hockey player, but despite a powerful slapshot learned from his late father, his short temper and lack of skating coordination limit his professional prospects. One day, Happy learns that his grandmother, who raised him after his father’s death, owes the Internal Revenue Service $270,000 in back taxes. She has 90 days to pay off the debt or face foreclosure on her house. Happy sends her to a retirement home until he can figure out a way to pay off the debt. However, unbeknownst to Happy, the residents are mistreated and forced to work in a sweatshop.

While challenging a pair of movers repossessing his late grandfather’s old golf clubs, he discovers that his unorthodox slapshot-style swing can drive a ball 400 yards. He begins hustling golfers at a driving range, where he meets Chubbs Peterson, a former pro golf star who lost a hand in an alligator attack. Chubbs urges Happy to enter the Waterbury Open, the winner of which will earn an automatic spot on the PGA Tour, as well as a sizable cash reward. Desperate to reclaim his grandmother’s house, Happy agrees and wins the Open. Learning that he needs to supply his own caddy on the tour, Happy hastily hires a homeless man named Otto. Happy quickly becomes a fan favorite due to his unusually long drives and unorthodox antics.

In one incident, Happy kills the one-eyed alligator that took Chubbs’ hand. Despite this, Happy struggles with putting, and his on-course profane meltdowns and lack of golf etiquette soon draw the ire of tour officials. Due to improved television ratings with a broader spectrum of viewers, higher attendance, and new sponsorship offers, tour public relations head Virginia Venit intervenes on Happy’s behalf, promising to help him with his anger. With her support, Happy improves his accuracy and behavior, and they become romantically involved.

Meet the Cast