Racing with the Moon (1984)

In 1942 California, two young men await induction into the U.S. Marines and say goodbye to their girlfriends.

Director:

Richard Benjamin

Writer:

Steve Kloves

Stars:

Sean Penn, Elizabeth McGovern, Nicolas Cage

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sean Penn	...	Henry 'Hopper' Nash
Elizabeth McGovern	...	Caddie Winger
Nicolas Cage	...	Nicky / Bud
John Karlen	...	Mr. Nash
Rutanya Alda	...	Mrs. Nash
Max Showalter	...	Mr. Arthur, Piano Teacher
Crispin Glover	...	Gatsby Boy
Barbara Howard	...	Gatsby Girl
Bob Maroff	...	Al
Dominic Nardini	...	Soldier with Annie
John Brandon	...	Mr. Kaiser
Eve Brent	...	Mrs. Kaiser
Suzanne Adkinson	...	Sally Kaiser
Shawn Schepps	...	Gretchen
Charles Miller	...	Arnie

Storyline

Henry and Nicky are small town pals from blue collar families with only a short time before they ship off to World War II. Henry begins romancing new-to-town Caddie Winger, believing her to be wealthy. Mischievious and irresponsible, Nicky gets into trouble which forces the other two to become involved, testing their relationship, as well as the friendship between the boys.

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Plot Keywords:

friendship | small town | cigarette smoking | train | nude swimming | 

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Taglines:

IT'S 1943 and they're trying to fit it all in before they have to leave it all behind [Australia Theatrical]

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 March 1984 (USA)

Also Known As:

Adiós a la inocencia

Filming Locations:

Fort Bragg, California, USA

Box Office

Gross:

$5,400,000 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Jaffe-Lansing, Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

108 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Director Richard Benjamin tried to use Vaughn Monroe's signature tune "Racing With the Moon" (1941), fitting of the era, but the song did not fit well with the context of the end of the movie, and the use of it was scrapped.

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Goofs

The railroad cars behind the steam locomotive are too new for the era the movie is supposed to portray (1940s).

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Quotes

Henry 'Hopper' Nash/Lou: Tyrone Power never said fuck 'em.

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Connections

Referenced in Going to Pieces: The Rise and Fall of the Slasher Film (2006)

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Soundtracks

"The Lady's In Love With You"
Written by B. Lane - F. Loesser

User Reviews

A sensitive story, of life's change, of stolen youth.

I've always viewed Richard Benjamin as a sensitive, honest filmmaker. Sure, he's made some less-than-great films, but his directorial debut, `My Favorite Year' may be about the funniest film ever made.

Racing with the Moon--the boy, his friend, and the girl--a small town in the Midwest in 1942 and a few weeks before the young men are to be inducted in the service. Their lives will be changed unequivocally, and they will no longer be boys. This is all the time they have left to enjoy the freedom, the carefree wonderment that is youth.

Stevn Kloves first produced script (later The Fabulous Baker Boys) is right on target with smart roles for three young stars. Sean Penn had Taps, and Fast Times behind him, and was his career was flourishing, Nick Cage had done Valley Girl, and Birdy, but would languish for ten more years, before achieving stardom, and Elizabeth McGovern, who's wonderful as Caddie Winger, is still waiting her just recognition.

Benjamin was born and raised in New York City, but his age is appropriate to our main characters. I'm sure he smiled, over and over as he recalled his own youth. His heart is in Racing with the Moon, and its worth your time, to go back for a moment, and enjoy those times.