Author! Author! (1982)

While facing the stress of his play being produced on Broadway, a playwright deals with having to raise his son, his stepdaughters, and his stepsons.

Director:

Arthur Hiller

Writer:

Israel Horovitz

Stars:

Al Pacino, Dyan Cannon, Tuesday Weld

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Al Pacino	...	Ivan Travalian
Dyan Cannon	...	Alice Detroit
Tuesday Weld	...	Gloria Travalian
Bob Dishy	...	Morris Finestein
Bob Elliott	...	Patrick Dickler
Ray Goulding	...	Jackie Dicker
Eric Gurry	...	Igor
Elva Josephson	...	Bonnie (as Elva Leff)
B.J. Barie	...	Spike
Ari Meyers	...	Debbie
Benjamin H. Carlin	...	Geraldo
Alan King	...	Kreplich
Ken Sylk	...	Roger Slessinger
James Tolkan	...	Lt. Glass
Tony Munafo	...	Officer Kapinsky

Storyline

Playwright Travalian feels pulled limb from limb these days. He has a Broadway play in rehearsal and they want rewrites. His tramp wife is leaving him, leaving him as well with four children from her previous marriages plus his own son. And his lead actress wants to move in with him but isn't used to kids.

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Plot Keywords:

playwright | love | family relationships | stepfather stepdaughter relationship | large family | 

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Taglines:

They share the laughter, the love, the frustration... and the bathroom.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Family | Romance

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 June 1982 (USA)

Also Known As:

Avec les compliments de l'auteur

Filming Locations:

Astoria, Queens, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$2,279,260 (USA) (18 June 1982)

Gross:

$2,279,260 (USA) (18 June 1982)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Actress Dyan Cannon was initially offered the part of Gloria Travalian but Cannon turned down the role because she felt the character was too "bitchy" and had played a "bitch" before. Cannon thoroughly enjoyed making this film and likened the experience to like "being on a cruise". Gloria was in the end cast with Tuesday Weld.

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Goofs

When Ivan and Alice meet at the plaza, Alice has 3 glasses of champagne and 3 aspirin in front of her, which she sips from and swallows during the conversation. She takes more than 3 aspirin, although 3 are clearly shown. And the liquid levels in the champagne glasses change from shot to shot.

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Quotes

Travalian: No ex-husband of Gloria's ever has to apologize to me about anything. We're like a little club.

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Connections

References Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

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Soundtracks

"Comin' Home To You"
Music by Dave Grusin
Lyrics by Alan Bergman and Marilyn Bergman
Performed by Michael Franks

User Reviews

Highly enjoyable

The only reason I saw this movie, was because Al Pacino was starring in it. I'm a huge fan of him and I don't want to miss any of his movies. "Author! Author!" is a highly enjoyable comedy-drama about a family guy and his many kids. Al Pacino plays a writer of stage plays who is dealing with some personal problems with his wife which also affects his writing.

Of course, "Author! Author!" isn't the best Al Pacino movie ever made, but it's certainly worth watching. This movie was a pleasant surprise. The director Arthur Hiller has also directed the timeless romantic classic "Love Story" with Ryan O'Neal. I think Al Pacino was worth his Golden Globe nomination.

Fine and well acted comedy-drama.

7,5/10