North Dallas Forty (1979)

Director:

Ted Kotcheff

Writers:

Peter Gent (novel)
Frank Yablans (screenplay) ...
(more)

Release Date:

3 August 1979 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Sport

Tagline:

"Wait till you see the weird part." [USA Theatrical]

Plot:

A semi-fictional account of life as a professional Football (American-style) player. Loosely based on the Dallas Cowboys team of the early 1970s.

Plot Keywords:

Football | Drugs | Corruption | Jock | Business

Awards:

3 wins

Cast

Nick Nolte	...	Phillip Elliott
Mac Davis	...	Seth Maxwell
Charles Durning	...	Coach Johnson
Dayle Haddon	...	Charlotte Caulder
Bo Svenson	...	Jo Bob Priddy
John Matuszak	...	O. W. Shaddock
Steve Forrest	...	Conrad Hunter
G.D. Spradlin	...	B. A. Strothers
Dabney Coleman	...	Emmett Hunter
Savannah Smith Boucher	...	Joanne Rodney (as Savannah Smith)
Marshall Colt	...	Art Hartman
Guich Koock	...	Eddie Rand
Deborah Benson	...	Mrs. Hartman
Jim Boeke	...	Stallings (as James F. Boeke)
John Bottoms	...	Vip
Walter Brooke	...	Doctor
Alan Autry	...	Balford (as Carlos Brown)
Danny J. Bunz	...	Tony Douglas
Jane Daly	...	Ruth
Rad Daly	...	Conrad
Cliff Frazier	...	Monroe
Stanley Grover	...	March
Glenn-Michael Jones	...	Locker Boy (as Glenn Michael Jones)
Frank O'Neill	...	Assistant Trainer
Tommy Reamon	...	WR Delma Huddle
Tom Reese	...	Coach Waddy
Jeffrey Severson	...	Partridge
Grant Kilpatrick	...	Monsignor
Kevin Cooney	...	Pete Peterson
Tony Frank	...	Rindquist
Doug France	...	Alcie Weeks
Garrie Kelly	...	Party Guest
Debbie Turner	...	Party Guest
Michele Turner	...	Party Guest
Jasmine Gagnier	...	Party Guest
Sharyn Lee	...	Party Guest
Joe Portaro	...	Party Guest
Lauren Jennifer Downing	...	Party Guest
Nanci Roberts	...	Bunny Girl
Kathleen Mary Larken	...	Peggy
Don J. Berberet	...	Referee
Randall Braxtan	...	Billy Fitch
Kory Olson	...	Salesman
Louie Kelcher	...	Football Player
Harold Jackson	...	Football Player
Michael Ballew	...	Football Player (as Mike Ballew)
Martin Imhof	...	Football Player
Ronnie L. Coleman	...	Football Player
Boyd Matson	...	TV Announcer
Ross Porter	...	TV Announcer
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Michele Turner Wilson	...	Stewardess Twin

Directed by
Ted Kotcheff

Writing credits
Peter Gent		(novel)
Frank Yablans		(screenplay) &
Ted Kotcheff		(screenplay) and
Peter Gent		(screenplay)
Nancy Dowd		uncredited
Rich Eustis		uncredited

Produced by
Frank Baur	....	associate producer
Jack B. Bernstein	....	executive producer
Frank Yablans	....	producer

Original Music by
John Scott

Cinematography by
Paul Lohmann		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Jay Kamen

Casting by
Lynn Stalmaster

Production Design by
Alfred Sweeney

Set Decoration by
Arthur Jeph Parker		(as Art Parker)

Costume Design by
Dorothy Jeakins

Makeup Department
Robert Dawn	....	makeup artist (as Bob Dawn)
Edouard F. Henriques	....	makeup artist (as Eddie Henriques)
Gladys Witten	....	hair stylist

Production Management
Frank Baur	....	unit production manager
Lindsley Parsons Jr.	....	executive production manager: Paramount (uncredited)

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Victor Hsu	....	assistant director
Kalai Strode	....	second assistant director

Art Department
Terry E. Lewis	....	property master (as Terry Lewis)
Gunnar Mattson	....	construction coordinator
Hank Giardina	....	paint foreman (uncredited)

Sound Department
Bub Asman	....	sound effects editor
Pierre Jalbert	....	dialogue editor
Larry Jost	....	sound mixer
Alan Robert Murray	....	sound effects editor (as Alan Murray)
Alan L. Nineberg	....	dialogue editor (as Alan Nineberg)
John Wilkinson	....	sound re-recording mixer (as John Keene Wilkinson)

Special Effects by
Joseph P. Mercurio	....	special effects (as Joe Mercurio)

Stunts
Debby Porter	....	stunts (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Michael Genne	....	first assistant camera
Wally Hice	....	dolly grip
J. Michael Marlett	....	gaffer (as Mike Marlett)
Guy Polzel	....	key grip
Timothy E. Wade	....	camera operator (as Tim Wade)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Norman A. Burza	....	costume supervisor: men (as Norman Burza)
Betsy Cox	....	costume supervisor: women
James P. Cullen	....	costumer (uncredited)

Editorial Department
Christopher Koefoed	....	apprentice editor (as Christopher Lucien Koefoed)
Jack Michon	....	assistant editor
Thom Noble	....	editorial consultant

Music Department
John Mick	....	music editor
John Scott	....	conductor

Transportation Department
James Thornsberry	....	transportation coordinator (as Jim Thornsberry)

Other crew
Bruce Bahrenburg	....	unit publicist
Tom Fears	....	football coach
Tom Fears	....	football coordinator
Wayne Fitzgerald	....	title designer
Doug Grossman	....	technical advisor
Wanda Mull	....	secretary to unit production manager (as Wanda R. Mull)
Dickey Nesenger	....	script supervisor
Frank O'Neill	....	football coordinator
Frank O'Neill	....	football trainer
Jette Sorensen	....	location auditor

Thanks
Ron Chapman	....	special thanks: Radio Station KVIL Dallas-Fort Worth
Robert H. Kovoloff	....	special thanks: Associated Film Promotions, Inc.

Production Companies

• Frank Yablans Presentations
• Paramount Pictures
• Regina Associates

Distributors

• Paramount Pictures (1979) (USA) (theatrical)
• CIC Video (1980) (West Germany) (VHS)
• National Broadcasting Company (NBC) (1981) (USA) (TV)
• Paramount Pictures (1988) (USA) (VHS) (pan and scan)
• Paramount Home Video (2001) (USA) (VHS)

Other Companies

• Jos Records  music soundtrack available on
• Sportsrobe  costumes

Also Known As:

Runtime:

119 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Finland:K-16 | Norway:16 | USA:R | Iceland:16 | West Germany:16 (f) | Australia:M | UK:18 (video release) | UK:X (cinema release)

Company:

Frank Yablans Presentations

Trivia:

The character of Seth Maxwell (Mac Davis) was allegedly based on quarterback Don Meredith (Maxwell was even offered the role); B. A. Strothers (G.D. Spradlin) on Tom Landry, and Phillip Elliott (Nick Nolte) on wide receiver Peter Gent.

Goofs:

Audio/visual unsynchronized: There are several lip-synch problems throughout, probably due to re-dubbing lines.

Quotes:

Joe Bob:Where's your gun, Elliott?
Phil Elliott:Freud says that guns are an extension of your dick, Jo Bob.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Cheech and Chong's Next Movie (1980)

Brilliant 70's football film, great fun

Seen this movie a few times on TV and it is a superb football film. Nick Nolte is excellent as the gruff and rough guy with lots of problems on and off the football field. Being in the 70's makes it even better and more realistic. Made in a time when men where men and sports meant more than money, a lot more. Sex, booze, knocking heads and blood & tears is what make these players happy! Good, fun all round film with great thought put into the story especially when entering Nolte's problems with team management/owners. As we all know deep rifts and problems occur between sports players and club owners but we never get to really know the truth and what goes on in the boardroom and player meetings. This film gives us a little make look at what could or should I say happens! I enjoyed this film very much,love the music, great characters and a good story. A winner all around.