Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988)

User Rating:

7.0/10   

Director:

Frank Oz

Writers (WGA):

Dale Launer (written by) and
Stanley Shapiro (written by) ...

Release Date:

14 December 1988 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Crime

Tagline:

Nice guys finish last. Meet the winners.

Plot:

Lawrence and Freddie are con-men; big-time and small time respectively. They unsuccessfully attempt...

Plot Keywords:

Soiling Pants | Con Artist | Corrupt Police | Sailor | Wheelchair

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 1 win

Cast

Steve Martin	...	Freddy Benson
Michael Caine	...	Lawrence Jamieson
Glenne Headly	...	Janet Colgate
Anton Rodgers	...	Inspector Andre
Barbara Harris	...	Fanny Eubanks
Ian McDiarmid	...	Arthur
Dana Ivey	...	Mrs. Reed
Meagen Fay	...	Lady from Oklahoma
Frances Conroy	...	Lady from Palm Beach
Nicole Calfan	...	Lady in Dining Car
Aïna Walle	...	Miss Krista Knudsen
Cheryl Pay	...	Lady with Pearls
Nathalie Auffret	...	Marion
Lolly Susi	...	Lady in Rolls Royce
Rupert Holliday-Evans	...	English Sailor #1 (as Rupert Holliday Evans)

Runtime:

110 min | Turkey:104 min (TV version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

Iceland:L | Australia:PG | New Zealand:PG | Canada:PG | Finland:S | Norway:5 (1989) | Sweden:Btl | UK:PG | USA:PG | West Germany:12 | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Alpes-Maritimes, France

Company:

Orion Pictures Corporation

Trivia:

This film originated as a project for Mick Jagger and David Bowie, after the success of their popular "Dancing in the Street" video in 1985. Studio bosses were anxious to put them in a movie together. Screenwriter Dale Launer was brought in based on the success of Ruthless People (1986) and asked to submit ideas. Launer had seen the original film, Bedtime Story (1964) (which starred Marlon Brando, David Niven, and Shirley Jones) on TV once before and suggested a remake. During development, however, Jagger and Bowie dropped out of the project. Steve Martin and Michael Caine were brought in as replacements.

Goofs:

Factual errors: Steve Martin's character leaves on a train that is supposedly destined for Portofino. There is no way of getting to Portofino by train. Car, bus, and boat only.

Quotes:

[Ruprecht is mauling Lawrence's new girlfriend]
Lawrence Jamieson: Ruprecht, do you want the genital cuff?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in It's a Good Day: The Making of 'Around the Bend' (2005) (V)

Soundtrack:

Puttin' On the Ritz

Classic comedy, timeless situation, wonderful performers.

Remake of 1964's 'Bedtime Story' (written by comedy genius Paul Henning) moves right along with Michael Caine and Steve Martin sharing duties as professional opportunists one-upping each other in a conquest contest.

It's a sort of Martin and Lewis pairing, and, although the comedy is derivative, it's by no means boring or stale, likely due to the talent of the two marvelous leads.

Wonderful European landscapes are a bonus.

Well worth watching.