Copacabana (1985) (TV)

User Rating:

5.7/10   

Director:

Waris Hussein

Writer:

James Lipton (writer)

Release Date:

3 December 1985 (USA)

Genre:

Musical

Plot:

Singer Tony loves dancer Lola in 1940s New York, but sinister Rico brings her to his nightclub in Havana.

Plot Keywords:

Singer | Songwriter | Show Business | Stardom | 1940s

Awards:

Won Primetime Emmy. Another 1 nomination

Cast

Barry Manilow	...	Tony Starr
Annette O'Toole	...	Lola Lamar
Estelle Getty	...	Bella Stern
James T. Callahan	...	Dennis Reilly
Andra Akers	...	Pamela Devereaux
Silvana Gallardo	...	Conchita Rivera
Joseph Bologna	...	Rico Castelli
Ernie Sabella	...	Sam Gropper
Cliff Osmond	...	Angelo
Dwier Brown	...	Bibi Sutton
Stanley Brock	...	2nd Publisher
Clarence Felder	...	Nick Panotis
Hamilton Camp	...	Nicky Richards
Hartley Silver	...	Husband
Ralph Clift	...	Customer (as Ralph M. Clift)

Also Known As:

Barry Manilow's Copacabana (USA) (video title)

Runtime:

96 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:L

Company:

Dick Clark Productions

Trivia:

During a late 1985 appearance on “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson”, shortly before the movie aired on TV, Manilow actually revealed the ending to the movie, leading much of the audience to groan. However, he mistakenly thought they groaned not because he revealed the ending, but because of what actually happened to his character at the end, leading Manilow to comment, "It's only a movie."

Quotes:

Tony Starr: [Improving a musical arrangement for Lola] We'll change the keys! That always works.

Soundtrack:

Big City Blues

Not a bad little movie

First off...I'm a Manilow fan, so my review of this movie can be considered a bit skewed. But, seeing that probably only people who ARE Manilow fans will be viewing this movie, I guess that's OK. For you Fanilows, please change the rating above to an 8, simply because Barry looks good in this and his charm shines through his mediocre acting ability. Obviously, the plot revolves around his 1978 mega-hit "Copacabana." If you know the song, you know the movie, but there are a few twists in the storyline. Annette O'Toole is FABULOUS as Lola--she's sweet and sexy, and doesn't have a bad voice herself. Mr. Bologna does an OK job as Rico, but it seems he's playing the same part as he did in "My Favorite Year." I kept waiting for him to ask if they were serving tongue at the Tropicana! Barry is the real star here. He shines in his songs "Sweet Heaven" and "Who Needs to Dream" and there are nice snippets of him playing some of his album-cut classic tunes as a piano bar performer throughout. The movie itself is a nice way to spend about an hour and a half of your time, but is necessary viewing for all Barry Manilow fans.