Howard the Duck (1986)

A sarcastic humanoid duck is pulled from his homeworld to Earth where he must stop an alien invader.

Director:

Willard Huyck

Writers:

Steve Gerber (Marvel comics character: Howard the Duck), Willard Huyck,

Stars:

Lea Thompson, Jeffrey Jones, Tim Robbins

4 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Lea Thompson	...	Beverly Switzler
Jeffrey Jones	...	Dr. Walter Jenning
Tim Robbins	...	Phil Blumburtt
Ed Gale	...	Howard T. Duck
Chip Zien	...	Howard T. Duck (voice)
Tim Rose	...	Howard T. Duck
Steve Sleap	...	Howard T. Duck
Peter Baird	...	Howard T. Duck
Mary Wells	...	Howard T. Duck
Lisa Sturz	...	Howard T. Duck
Jordan Prentice	...	Howard T. Duck
Paul Guilfoyle	...	Lieutenant Welker
Liz Sagal	...	Ronette, Cherry Bomb
Dominique Davalos	...	Cal, Cherry Bomb
Holly Robinson Peete	...	K.C., Cherry Bomb (as Holly Robinson)

Storyline

A scientific experiment unknowingly brings extraterrestrial life forms to the Earth through a laser beam. First is the cigar smoking drake Howard from the duck's planet. A few kids try to keep him from the greedy scientists and help him back to his planet. But then a much less friendly being arrives through the beam...

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Plot Keywords:

laser | duck | singer | planet | alien | 

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Taglines:

You will believe that a duck can talk.

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Comedy | Romance | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 August 1986 (USA)

Also Known As:

Howard - ein tierischer Held

Filming Locations:

Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$35,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$16,295,774 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures, Lucasfilm

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) Dolby (35 mm prints)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

For her eighties'-style look, Lea Thompson (Beverly) had to have her hair styled for about two hours each day. She admitted later that she was not very happy about the treatment and that she should have worn a wig instead.

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Goofs

Palm trees in Cleveland, Ohio.

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Quotes

Howard T. Duck: That's it, no more Mr. Nice Duck.

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Connections

Referenced in Glee: Girls (and Boys) on Film (2013)

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Soundtracks

"Don't Turn Away"
Written by Thomas Dolby and Ailee Wills
Performed and Produced by Thomas Dolby

User Reviews

Death from the skies to all duck hunters!

It still puzzles me today why this movie is so despised by people. There are so many more trash movies out there like the Perfect Storm, the Lost World, and even George Lucas' overblown Episode I, that go on to make tons of money and are total garbage, and yet pretend like they're actually great movies. Howard the Duck is not so egotistical in it's approach. It admits to its campy silliness (I mean c'mon, it's a movie about a talking duck, how can people try to take it seriously?). Needless to say, it's a fun movie because of its schlock factor, and is boosted by its terrific special effects, over the top performances, and fantastic musical score by legendary composer, John Barry. Overall, I consider Howard the Duck perhaps the most unappreciated film of all time, and one the greatest B-movies ever. Go Howard!