IMDb > Melvin and Howard (1980)
Melvin and Howard
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Melvin and Howard (1980) More at IMDbPro »

Videos (see all 2)
Melvin and Howard (1980) -- The story of hard-luck Melvin Dummar, who claimed to have received a will naming him an heir to the fortune of Howard Hughes.
Melvin and Howard (1980) -- MyMovieScripts.com - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
7.0/10   1,873 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?

Up 2% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.

Director:

Jonathan Demme

Writer:

Bo Goldman (written by)

Contact:

View company contact information for Melvin and Howard on IMDbPro.

Release Date:

19 September 1980 (USA) more

Genre:

Comedy | Drama more

Tagline:

A true story? more

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. full summary | add synopsis

Awards:

Won 2 Oscars. Another 14 wins & 4 nominations more

NewsDesk:
(2 articles)

Producer Ned Tanen Dead At 77
 (From Studio Briefing - Film News. 6 January 2009, 1:31 AM, PST)

Jason Robards Dies
 (From WENN. 28 December 2000)

User Comments:

An unseen classic more (26 total)


Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

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
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:

95 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1 more

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Filming Locations:

Gabbs, Nevada, USA more


Fun Stuff

Trivia:

At the beginning of the film, Melvin Dummar sings a song that he has penned, "Santa's Souped Up Sleigh." He tells Howard Hughes that he sent the words - along with a sum of money - to the Hollywood Music Company, an outfit that puts its customers' song lyrics to music for a fee. Although Melvin doesn't realize it, the tune that the company used is not an original one: they paired his lyrics with the melody of "Wabash Cannonball." more

Goofs:

Continuity: At the end of the truck ride to Vegas, Hughes doesn't know how to open the passenger door from the inside, but in Dummar's flashback at the end of the movie (when Hughes gets to drive the truck), Hughes has no trouble opening the door. more

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Night Court: Melvin and Harold (#7.18)" (1990) more

Soundtrack:

Love Can't Hold a Ramblin' Man more


FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
10 out of 13 people found the following comment useful.
An unseen classic, 15 October 1999
10/10
Author: jrs-8 from Chicago

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.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (26 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Melvin and Howard (1980)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
P.T. Anderson sites this movie as influencing Hard Eight lvis74
Was Melvin telling the truth? joanbrazas
Gloria Graham olblueeyes40
Bate Brothers scene??! enicolau1
This story is in the news djhunnicut
Why R? And3ww
more

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