Melvin and Howard (1980)

User Rating:

7.0/10   

Director:

Jonathan Demme

Writer:

Bo Goldman (writer)

Release Date:

19 September 1980 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

A true story?

Plot:

The story of hard-luck Melvin Dummar, who claimed to have received a will naming him an heir to the fortune of Howard Hughes.

Plot Keywords:

Desert | Motorcycle | Strip Club | Hoax | Media Coverage

Awards:

Won 2 Oscars. Another 14 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

Jason Robards	...	Howard Hughes
Paul Le Mat	...	Melvin Dummar
Elizabeth Cheshire	...	Darcy Dummar
Mary Steenburgen	...	Lynda Dummar
Chip Taylor	...	Clark Taylor
Melvin E. Dummar	...	Bus Depot Counterman
Michael J. Pollard	...	Little Red
Denise Galik	...	Lucy
Gene Borkan	...	Go-Go Club Owner #1
Lesley Margret Burton	...	Go-Go Dancer
Wendy Lee Couch	...	Go-Go Dancer
Marguerite Baierski	...	Go-Go Dancer
Janice King	...	Go-Go Dancer
Deborah Ann Klein	...	Go-Go Dancer
Theodora Thomas	...	Go-Go Dancer

Runtime:

95 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Canada:14+ (Ontario) | Australia:M | Singapore:NC-16 | Finland:K-12 | USA:R | West Germany:12

Filming Locations:

Gabbs, Nevada, USA

Company:

Universal Pictures

Trivia:

One of the extras in the wedding scene was named Jonathan Demme (no relation to the director of the film).

Goofs:

Continuity: While the men are in the truck talking, a sandwich being eaten has the bite area alternately changing from one side of the bread between shots.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Saturday Night Live: Glenn Close/Black Crowes (#18.9)" (1992)

Soundtrack:

Steel Guitar Rag

An unseen classic

Don't be surprised if you have never heard of "Melvin and Howard" because most people haven't. But if the chance comes up to watch it then grab it. It's a true american classic involving a down on his luck man (Paul Le Mat, so great as Milner in "American Graffiti") who gives a ride to an injured hitchhiker in the desert that turns out to be none other than Howard Hughes (Jason Robards, who is brilliant in a small, understated performance). Years later after Hughes has died Melvin learns he is in Hughes' will. The only problem is that there is no will to be found.

Mary Steenburgen won as Oscar as Melvin's kooky first wife. The scene where she appears on a game show is priceless. This is a sweet and very funny slice of life movie directed by Jonathan Demme who went on to many fine films such as "Silence of the Lambs." This is a true classic. Don't miss it.