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:

It's going to be a summer to remember!

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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:

Sweet Ginger Brown

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

When Mr. Brody (Richard Crenna) demonstrates a TV remote control to Jeff ('Matt Dillon'), one of the shows he channel-surfs to is The Real McCoys. The scene includes Walter Brennan as Grampa McCoy and... Richard Crenna as Luke McCoy.

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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

Jeffrey Willis: Gin, Phil.

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Connections

Referenced in Baywatch: A Matter of Life and Death (1993)

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Soundtracks

"Just One Look"
Composer: Doris Troy (as Payne), Gregory Carroll (as Carroll)
Publisher: Premiere Album Music Publishing
Performed by Doris Troy
Courtesy of Atlantic Recording Corp.
By Arrangement with Warner Special Products

User Reviews

Delightful, some great dialogue too

This Matt Dillon vehicle serves as the light-hearted equivalent to "A Bronx Tale." Richard Crenna plays the Chazz Palmentieri role as the idolized kingpin and Hector Elizondo plays the Robert DeNiro role of the honorable working class father. There is some memorable dialogue, cute humor, and distinctive card playing (the upside down fan). But, best of all, are the coming of age lessons that are taught to Dillon's character about values, hard work, and summer romance. In the latter category, the movie is aided immensely by the refreshing debut of Janet Jones (now best known as Mrs. Wayne Gretsky). I recommend this without reservation!