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Melvin and Howard (1980)

R 95 min  -  Comedy | Drama  -   19 September 1980 (USA)
6.9
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Ratings: 6.9/10 from 2,410 users  
Reviews: 30 user | 18 critic

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

Director:

Jonathan Demme

Writer:

Bo Goldman

Stars:

Paul Le Mat, Jason Robards and Elizabeth Cheshire
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jason Robards ...
Paul Le Mat ...
Elizabeth Cheshire Elizabeth Cheshire ...
Darcy Dummar
Mary Steenburgen ...
Chip Taylor Chip Taylor ...
Clark Taylor
Melvin E. Dummar Melvin E. Dummar ...
Bus Depot Counterman
Michael J. Pollard ...
Little Red
Denise Galik ...
Lucy
Gene Borkan Gene Borkan ...
Go-Go Club Owner #1
Lesley Margret Burton Lesley Margret Burton ...
Go-Go Dancer
Wendy Lee Couch Wendy Lee Couch ...
Go-Go Dancer
Marguerite Baierski Marguerite Baierski ...
Go-Go Dancer
Janice King Janice King ...
Go-Go Dancer
Deborah Ann Klein Deborah Ann Klein ...
Go-Go Dancer
Theodora Thomas Theodora Thomas ...
Go-Go Dancer
Full cast and crew »
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Storyline

This movie tells the possibly true story of Melvin Dummar. Melvin is a nice guy, but he is a total loser: unlucky, impractical and can't keep a job. One night, however, he helps an old man who has had a motorcycle accident in the desert. Melvin laughs when the old man says he is Howard Hughes, the eccentric multimillionaire. But when Howard Hughes dies, Melvin is mailed a will leaving him part of the estate! Written by Reid Gagle  

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

Motorcycle | Desert | Motel | Utah | Reno Nevada  | See more »

Taglines:

Poor Melvin. All he wanted was to be Milkman of the Month. Instead, he lost his job, his truck, and his wife. Then Howard Hughes left him $156,000,000. See more »

Genres:

Comedy | Drama

Parents Guide:

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

(USA) See more »

Also Known As:

Melvin y Howard See more »

Filming Locations:

Gabbs, Nevada, USA See more »

Box Office

Gross:

$4,309,490 (USA)
See more »

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures See more »
Show detailed company contact information on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Herbie Faye's final movie. See more »

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. See more »

Connections

Referenced in The Bad Boys of Saturday Night Live (1998) See more »

Soundtracks

"My Kingdom for a Car"
Performed by Phil Ochs
Courtesy of A & M Records See more »