Howard the Duck (1986)

Director:

Willard Huyck

Writers:

Steve Gerber (Marvel comics character: Howard the Duck)
Willard Huyck (written by) ...

Release Date:

1 August 1986 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Comedy | Romance | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

You will believe that a duck can talk.

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

Laser | Duck | Singer | Planet | Alien

Awards:

4 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

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)

Also Known As:

Howard: A New Breed of Hero (UK)

Runtime:

110 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

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

Certification:

Iceland:12 | USA:PG (certificate #28226) | West Germany:12 (cut) | Germany:16 (2007 re-rating) | UK:PG (cut) | UK:12 (DVD rating) | Australia:PG | South Korea:12 | Netherlands:6 | Finland:K-12 | Sweden:15

Filming Locations:

Black Point, Marin County, California, USA

Company:

Universal Pictures

Trivia:

George Lucas's close friend John Landis was originally slated to direct this film but after reading the script turned down the opportunity due to the police car crashes in the finale. He felt this was too similar to that of his previous film The Blues Brothers (1980).

Goofs:

Factual errors: When Beverly is in Howard's wallet the cash still says Washington DC on it.

Quotes:

Howard T. Duck: [to Bev] Of all the alleys in the world I could have fallen into that night, why did it have to be yours?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Marvel Super Hero Challenge (2007) (VG)

Soundtrack:

Don't Turn Away (Reprise)

Expectations for this movie were too high

Because a lot of talented people and money were behind this film, I believe that people rated this movie against their expectations and not against other movies. When this movie is compared to other movies of its ilk it is very good! I saw this movie only knowing that G. Lucas (he needs a nick name--the great god of SFX?) was behind it, not knowing that some of the other talent had appeared in much better/ tonier fare) and I was thoroughly delighted--viewing after viewing. Lea (was she chosen because of her similarity to Leaia?) did about as good of a job as anyone can when your romantic lead is a duck. Her trademark short skirt and legs did a lot to help. The other actors seemed to be having fun with their roles as well-- and that is what this movie was supposed to be about fun. Ever since Entertainment Tonight began pushing box office results as an indicator of quality, this has virtually become the only criteria of quality--but dont be fooled! What the public spends its money on does not always a good movie make(and vice versa). Ignore the tyrants of the dollars, spend a couple on Howard and you will be more than rewarded!