The Flamingo Kid (1984)

Jeffrey Willis has just finished high school and isn't quite sure what the future holds. His parents expect him to go to college but he is starting to find his close-knit family stifling. ... See full summary »

Director:

Garry Marshall

Writers:

Neal Marshall (story), Garry Marshall,

Stars:

Matt Dillon, Hector Elizondo, Molly McCarthy

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Matt Dillon	...	Jeffrey Willis
Hector Elizondo	...	Arthur Willis
Molly McCarthy	...	Ruth Willis
Martha Gehman	...	Nikki Willis
Richard Crenna	...	Phil Brody
Jessica Walter	...	Phyllis Brody
Carole Davis	...	Joyce Brody (as Carole R. Davis)
Janet Jones	...	Carla Samson
Brian McNamara	...	Steve Dawkins
Fisher Stevens	...	Hawk Ganz
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Mel Allen	...	Himself (voice)
Seth Allen	...	Jerry Berlin
David Barry	...	Steve's Father
George Blumenthal	...	Hawk's Father
Nicole Brandon	...	Bridgette (as Beth Noreen Einhorn)

Storyline

Jeffrey Willis has just finished high school and isn't quite sure what the future holds. His parents expect him to go to college but he is starting to find his close-knit family stifling. He gets a summer job at the Flamingo club where he meets Phil Brody, a successful car dealer who fills Jeffrey's head with ideas about how to make his fortune. Phil is everything Jeffrey would like to be - popular, rich and the best gin rummy player the club has ever seen. Jeffrey's coming of age includes a romance with the very pretty Carla Samson, but the shine on Phil Brody's philosophy of life wears off when he uncovers a significant flaw in his character.

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Plot Keywords:

beach | beach club | coming of age | cheating | gambling | 

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Taglines:

Everyone knew what Jeffery should do with his life. Everyone was wrong.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

PG-13

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 December 1984 (USA)

Also Known As:

Flamingo Kid

Filming Locations:

39-26 62nd Street, Queens, New York City, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

American Broadcasting Company (ABC), Edgewood Productions, Mercury Productions (II)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The lead was originally offered to Matthew Broderick. When he dropped out, the character was rewritten for Matt Dillon.

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Goofs

In the opening sequence, after the kid hits the ball, a shot of a passing train shows graffiti covered cars. This was not the case in 1963, but definitely was the case in 1984 when the film was made.

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Quotes

Alfred Schultz: So where's my blind date?
Hawk Ganz: She'll be here! They're coming all the way in from the Bronx.
Alfred Schultz: So what? Are you fixing me up with a bimbo?
Hawk Ganz: Oh no, they're young girls... Bimbettes.

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Connections

Referenced in Boy Meets World: The Pink Flamingo Kid (1996)

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Soundtracks

"He's So Fine"
Composer: Ronald Mack
Publisher: Legs Music, Inc.
Performed by The Chiffons
Courtesy of Laurie Records

User Reviews

The Flamingo Kid

Charming comedy from Garry Marshall starring Dillon as a Brooklyn teenager taken aback by the smooth lifestyles at a posh beach club. At the club he meets swift characters like car dealer Richard Crenna, in a wonderful role and the lovely Janet Jones, before the Gretzky. Hector Elizondo is also stand out as Dillon's father. Marshall also wrote the script for the film and it flows with heart and humor all the way through.