The Sandlot Star Patrick Renna Talks Camp Gooey, Camp Toasty, and Why Summer Memories Still Matter
Patrick Renna delivered one of the most memorable lines in film. “You’re killing me, Smalls” has been quoted endlessly and even emblazoned on t-shirts. But The Sandlot is more than a baseball film, a coming-of-age movie or part of cinema’s history. Tucked into the storyline are summertime traditions, like the tutorial on making the perfect s’mores. Hershey’s and Patrick Renna bring some friendly rivalry to the summer fire pit. Are you Camp Gooey or Camp Toasty?
When Ham teaches Smalls how to make s’mores, the moment is more than just a tutorial on a classic summertime treat. Beyond the ratio of graham crackers, marshmallows and Hershey’s chocolate, the preferred “doneness” of that fluffy, sugary center can get people heated.
Some people prefer just a slight brown tint where the marshmallow is barely warmed. Others thrust the marshmallow deep into the flame and watch it turn into a blackened, charred blob. Both camps have their followers, and neither side will lay down their skewers in defeat.
Hershey’s wants to crown a winner in this Camp Gooey versus Camp Toasty battle, and they recruited Patrick Renna to help determine the ultimate s’mores marshmallow side. As part of Hershey’s Heated Debate campaign, FlickDirect spoke to Patrick Renna about his s’mores preferences, The Sandlot and whether he thinks there should be a reboot of this iconic film.
“I think patience is a virtue when it comes to roasting marshmallows and s’mores.”
Since the Hershey’s Heated Debate asks people to choose Camp Gooey or Camp Toasty, Renna joins Camp Toasty. He said, “I think patience is a virtue when it comes to roasting marshmallows and s'mores, and I think the longer you wait, the better it gets. I like to really roast it as much as possible, and then I like to let it sit a little bit and really melt the chocolate.”
While he has a clear s’mores method, Renna believes that all s’mores- toasted, roasted, and anything in between are tasty. People cannot really mess up s’mores. With the right ingredients, like Hershey’s chocolate, every bite satisfies.
As a Camp Toasty member, Renna’s idea of having patience lends itself to the concept of s’mores being a ritual. That time around a fire, enjoying conversations, and being in the moment are just as important as enjoying the classic dessert.
Renna believes that the time around a campfire is when core memories are made. Everyone is focusing on one another and being engaged. He said, “I think it's nice to have those forced moments because I know how busy life can get.”
In some ways, The Sandlot celebrates those forced moments. Renna recalled a line from the movie where Karen Allen encourages Smalls to go out, meet friends, get dirty, get into trouble, but not too much trouble. That idea of “learning experience” cannot be appreciated behind a screen or through someone else’s moment.
While The Sandlot is a film that people return to like an old friend, Renna weighed in on the concept of rebooting the story. He believes that instead of a remake of the original film, a story that is its own voice could be a better option. One concept he suggested would be a continuation of the movie several years later where “we're all grown up, and there's some sort of something we're all doing together.”
Whether that version of The Sandlot ever comes to fruition remains to be seen. But this summer everyone can enjoy their favorite version of s’mores. Will Camp Gooey or Camp Toasty reign supreme? Similar to the classic movie, it is enjoying the experience, not winning, which will be the sweetest memory of all.
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