The House of Blue Leaves (1987) (TV)

Directors:

Kirk Browning
Jerry Zaks

Writers:

John Guare (play)
John Guare (screenplay)

Release Date:

25 May 1987 (USA)

Plot:

Zoo attendant Artie Shaughnessy dreams of being a successful songwriter. What his mistress, Bunny Flingus...

Plot Keywords:

Stage | Black Comedy | Based On Play

Cast

Swoosie Kurtz	...	Bananas Shaughnessy
John Mahoney	...	Artie Shaughnessy
Christine Baranski	...	Bunny Flingus
Julie Hagerty	...	Corrinna Stroller
Ben Stiller	...	Ronnie Shaughnessy
Richard Portnow	...	Billy Einhorn
Debra Cole	...	Little Nun
Patricia Falkenhain	...	Head Nun
Jane Cecil	...	Second Nun
Ian Blackman	...	MP / El Dorado bartender
Brian Evers	...	The White Man / El Dorado Bartender

Runtime:

113 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Company:

American Playhouse

Trivia:

The original Broadway production of "The House of Blue Leaves" by John Guare opened at the Vivian Beaumont Theater on April 29, 1986, ran for 398 performances and was nominated for the 1986 Tony Award for the Best Play. Swoosie Kurtz, John Mahoney, Julie Hagerty, Ben Stiller, Patricia Falkenhain, Jane Cecil and Ian Blackman recreated their stage roles in the television production. Swoosie Kurtz won the 1986 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play and John Mahoney won the 1986 Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003)

outstanding

This was incredible. The storyline was so compelling. I saw it on stage and then saw the televised version which was taped off the stage. I would give anything to find a copy of it. The acting was top notch and it is interesting to see a young Ben Stiller. Also excellent was Swoosie Kurtz and John Mahoney who many people relate to the television show Frasier. The story starts out comically and becomes more and more interesting until the incredible finale which I won't give away. I remember seeing it in the theater and you could have heard a pin drop. A truly powerful story with an incredible ending. I hope that in the future there is some type of re-broadcast or at least making it available for purchase on DVD.