Matilda (1978)

A small-time talent agent discovers an amazing boxing kangaroo and figures to use it as his stepping-stone into the big time.

Director:

Daniel Mann

Writers:

Timothy Galfas, Paul Gallico (book),

Stars:

Elliott Gould, Clive Revill, Harry Guardino

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Elliott Gould	...	Bernie Bonnelli
Clive Revill	...	Billy Baker
Harry Guardino	...	Uncle Nono
Roy Clark	...	Wild Bill Wildman
Karen Carlson	...	Kathleen Smith
Art Metrano	...	Gordon Baum
Lionel Stander	...	Pinky Schwab
Roberta Collins	...	Tanya Six
Larry Pennell	...	Lee Dockerty
Gary Morgan	...	Matilda
Robert Mitchum	...	Duke Parkhurst
Lenny Montana	...	Hood #1
Frank Avianca	...	Hood #2
Joe De Fish	...	Hood #3
Pat Henry	...	Hood #4

Storyline

A small-time talent agent discovers an amazing boxing kangaroo and figures to use it as his stepping-stone into the big time.

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Plot Keywords:

boxing | talent agent | kangaroo | los angeles california | talking to the camera | 

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Taglines:

Quirky family fun that packs the meanest of punches!

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Family | Sport

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Certificate:

G

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 February 1979 (Finland)

Also Known As:

Boks nu, Matilda

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

American International Pictures (AIP)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Part of a cycle of ring fighter movies, mostly boxing, some wrestling, initiated by the box-office and critical success of the Academy Award Best Picture winning boxing movie Rocky. The films include Rocky II, Rocky III, Rocky IV, Tough Enough, Title Shot, _Raging Bull_, The Champ, Matilda, The Main Event, The Prize Fighter, The Greatest, Body and Soul, Paradise Alley, ...All the Marbles (aka "The California Dolls"), The One and Only, Every Which Way But Loose and Any Which Way You Can.

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Goofs

When Bernie confronts Kathleen outside her apartment, one dog (the bloodhound) follows her up the steps when she goes back inside. In the next shot, it is back down at the bottom of the steps with Bernie.

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Quotes

[regarding Bernie taking baby kangaroo 'Junior' to the gym]
Kathleen Smith: Bernie, it's inhuman to do that to a baby kangaroo! It's inhuman!
Bernie Bonnelli: Has anyone ever told you that you're always repeating yourself? This is no ordinary kangaroo... Junior's different. Remember who his father was.

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Connections

Featured in Dusk to Dawn Drive-In Trash-o-Rama Show Vol. 1 (1996)

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Soundtracks

"WHEN I'M WITH YOU, I'M FEELIN' GOOD"
Music by Carol Connors
Lyrics by Ernie Shelton
Sung by Pat Boone & Debby Boone
Record Produced by Mike Curb

User Reviews

Real Kangaroos Hurt People

This film is bad, yes, but had the producers used a REAL KANGAROO, it would have killed the actor it was boxing with. I am an Australian and I have seen two seven foot tall male 'Roos fighting each other, it is not a pretty sight as the object is for one or the other to kill it's opponent,(this is there way of securing the herd of females) and there are incidents where someone has boxed a kangaroo, and been injured or killed, so when you see a kangaroo on TV or Film it is likely to be a female, or Animated, as it is a good idea not to injure actors (they might be annoyed at losing the ability to breath). There is a strange idea that Australian animals are cute and cuddly, that is false, many are dangerous (10 of the 12 most deadliest snakes live here)and most are just plain ugly (Koalas are as soft as steal wool). So if you come to Australia BE CAREFULL!!!