Bugsy Malone (1976)

The classic gangster story of Bugsy Malone told with an all child cast.

Director:

Alan Parker

Writer:

Alan Parker

Stars:

Scott Baio, Florrie Dugger, Jodie Foster

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 5 wins & 9 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Scott Baio	...	Bugsy
Florrie Dugger	...	Blousey
Jodie Foster	...	Tallulah
John Cassisi	...	Fat Sam
Martin Lev	...	Dandy Dan
Paul Murphy	...	Leroy Smith
Sheridan Earl Russell	...	Knuckles (as Sheridan Russell)
Albin 'Humpty' Jenkins	...	Fizzy (as 'Humpty' Albin Jenkins)
Paul Chirelstein	...	Smolsky
Andrew Paul	...	O'Dreary
Davidson Knight	...	Cagey Joe
Michael Jackson	...	Razamataz
Jeff Stevenson	...	Louis (as Jeffrey Stevens)
Peter Holder	...	Ritzy
Donald Waugh	...	Snake Eyes

Storyline

A gangster movie where all the gangsters are played by children. Instead of real bullets they use "splurge guns" that cover the victim in cream. The story tells of the rise of "Bugsy Malone" and the battle for power between "Fat Sam" and "Dandy Dan".

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Plot Keywords:

gangster | new york city | children | dance | mugging | 

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Taglines:

Every year brings a great movie. Every decade a great movie musical!

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Family | Musical

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Certificate:

G

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English Italian

Release Date:

15 September 1976 (USA)

Also Known As:

Anilikoi rififides (Bagsy Malone)

Filming Locations:

Black Park Country Park, Wexham, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Box Office

Gross:

SEK 7,681,000 (Sweden)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Rank Organisation, The, Goodtimes Enterprises, Bugsy Malone Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (35 mm optical prints) 4-Track Stereo (35 mm magnetic prints)

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Although it performed well in England and Japan, Paramount only gave "Bugsy Malone" a limited release in US theaters, usually dumping it onto second-feature screens partnered with a late-'76 re-release of The Bad News Bears.

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Goofs

When Blousey and Bugsy are queuing up for the audition for the Lady Marley show, the girl behind her comes on before Blousey, even though she was behind Blousey.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Fat Sam: Someone once said, "If it was raining brains, Roxy Robinson wouldn't even get wet." Roxy had spent his whole life making two and two into five, but he could smell trouble like other people could smell gas. But believe you's me, he should've never taken that blind alley by the side of Parido's Bakery. Whatever game it was everybody was playing, sure as eggs is eggs, Roxy the Weasel had been scrambled.

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Connections

Referenced in Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Rebel Set (1992)

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Soundtracks

"Bad Guys"
(uncredited)
Written by Paul Williams

User Reviews

Beautiful parody of gangster movies with great musical score

The film is unique musical parody of gangster movies, where all the roles are played by children. I first watched it shortly after its release, and was absolutely thrilled. Balanced director's work, smartly composed screenplay, great and very temporary musical score and, above all, the brilliant talent of young Jodie Foster. Not all the roles were played equally convincingly, but the kids were generally quite good. I enjoyed the film even more while writing subtitles (for home use) for it several months ago, being thus forced to listen carefully to every word spoken or sung. After 30 years, I really have nothing to add to my first impressions. "Bugsy Malone" is timeless, and should be listed among the movie classics, along with "The Wizzard of Oz" and "Oliver".