The Secret of My Succe$s (1987)

Director:

Herbert Ross

Writers:

AJ Carothers (story)
Jim Cash (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

10 April 1987 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

There's no such thing as an overnight success. Brantley Foster took two weeks.

Plot:

A talented young man can't get an executive position without rising through the ranks, so he comes up with a shortcut, which also benefits his love life.

Plot Keywords:

Office | White Collar | Business | Corporate Take Over | Impostor

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 1 win

Cast

Michael J. Fox	...	Brantley Foster aka Carlton Whitfield
Helen Slater	...	Christy Wills
Richard Jordan	...	Howard Prescott
Margaret Whitton	...	Vera Prescott
John Pankow	...	Fred Melrose
Christopher Murney	...	Barney Rattigan
Gerry Bamman	...	Art Thomas
Fred Gwynne	...	Donald Davenport
Carol Ann Susi	...	Jean (as Carol-Ann Susi)
Elizabeth Franz	...	Grace Foster
Drew Snyder	...	Burt Foster
Susan Kellermann	...	Maureen
Barton Heyman	...	Arnold Forbush
Mercedes Ruehl	...	Sheila
Ira Wheeler	...	Owens (as Ira B. Wheeler)

Also Known As:

The Secret of My Success (USA) (alternative spelling)

Runtime:

111 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (DeLuxe)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Australia:M | Iceland:L | Argentina:13 | Chile:14 | Finland:K-12 | Italy:T | Singapore:NC-16 | Sweden:Btl | UK:PG | USA:PG-13 | West Germany:12

Filming Locations:

101 Park Avenue, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Rastar Pictures

Trivia:

Michael J. Fox was, at the time this movie was filmed, a heavy cigarette smoker. Evidence of this is noticeable when his character Brantley (a non-smoker) puts his feet up on the desk and reveals dozens of burn marks from extinguishing cigarettes with his shoe.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Brantley is caught in the robbery cross fire while he is in the phone booth, the glass changes from broken to not broken.

Quotes:

Brantley Foster: Please God, help me get out of this. I swear I'll go all over the world telling people not to screw the boss's wife.

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories (2006) (VG)

Soundtrack:

WALKING ON SUNSHINE

Possibly my favorite M.J movie

I cannot remember the first time i saw this film - it was that long ago! This is definitely Michael J. Fox at his best! I'm sure anyone reading this knows the story etc and are probably reminiscing themselves and seeing if others like it too. Well I do! From the initial set up with Mike moving to the big city to the predictable but great ending, this movie just oozes class. People can criticize it for continuity, holes in the plot etc, but this remains one of my favorite movies. It's got good cinematography, some great songs and really makes me feel good after probably twenty plus viewings. I wish i was older (20 writing this) and lived the 80s first hand, rather than through its movies and music because it was a great decade! If you are a Fox fan or looking for a fun film to fill a couple of hours, you cannot go wrong with this. And while you are at it, pick up Teen Wolf and Poison Ivy - if you can find them!