IMDb >
Great Balls of Fire! (1989)
Watch It
Buy it at Amazon
Rent it at Blockbuster.com
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
BETA
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsGreat Balls of Fire! (1989) More at IMDbPro »
| Photos (see all 19 | slideshow) | Videos |
Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers (WGA):
Release Date:
30 June 1989 (USA)
more
Tagline:
Jerry Lee Lewis: He Rocked The Nation... And Shocked The World. more
Plot:
The story of Jerry Lee Lewis, arguably the greatest and certainly one of the wildest musicians of the 1950s...
more
| add synopsis
Awards:
1 win
more
NewsDesk:
User Comments:
Great music, good movie
more (49 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Dennis Quaid | ... | Jerry Lee Lewis | |
| Winona Ryder | ... | Myra Gale Brown | |
| John Doe | ... | J.W. Brown | |
| Stephen Tobolowsky | ... | Jud Phillips | |
| Trey Wilson | ... | Sam Phillips | |
| Alec Baldwin | ... | Jimmy Swaggart | |
| Steve Allen | ... | Himself | |
| Lisa Blount | ... | Lois Brown | |
| Joshua Sheffield | ... | Rusty Brown | |
| Mojo Nixon | ... | James Van Eaton | |
| Jimmie Vaughan | ... | Roland Janes | |
| David Ferguson | ... | Jack Clement | |
| Robert Lesser | ... | Alan Freed | |
| Lisa Jane Persky | ... | Babe | |
| Paula Person | ... | Sam's Secratary |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
108 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Iceland:L |
Australia:M |
USA:R (original rating) |
USA:PG-13 (re rating) |
UK:15 |
Canada:14A |
Finland:S |
Sweden:11 |
West Germany:12
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Dennis Quaid did some of his own piano playing. Pianist/singer Jason D. Williams, often compared to Jerry Lee Lewis in looks and musical performance, also served as Quaid's piano double. The filmmakers used Williams' hands for the piano parts in the film. Williams also found himself teaching Dennis Quaid how to play a few parts, which Quaid quickly picked up. At the time of filming, Quaid had played the guitar for 20 years but had only played the piano for two years.
more
Goofs:
Continuity: When Jerry comes off the plane from New York, there's a lot of girls gathering around. One of them kisses his cheek right by the ear, but in the next shot the mark after the lipstick is far nearer his mouth.
more
Quotes:
Lois Brown:
"Jerry Lee here's a married man, ain't that right, Jerry Lee?"
Jerry Lee: "Well, that's not necessarily so, Lois."
Lois: " And just what do you mean by that?"
Jerry Lee: "Well, you see I was still married to my first wife when I married my second wife,so I never really was married to my second wife. And since I divorced my first wife a couple of years ago, I'm as free as a bird in a tree!"
more
Jerry Lee: "Well, that's not necessarily so, Lois."
Lois: " And just what do you mean by that?"
Jerry Lee: "Well, you see I was still married to my first wife when I married my second wife,so I never really was married to my second wife. And since I divorced my first wife a couple of years ago, I'm as free as a bird in a tree!"
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "L.A. Law: Great Balls Afire (#6.15)" (1992)
more
Soundtrack:
Beat Guitar
more
FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (49 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Great Balls of Fire! (1989) moreRecommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| Little Richard | Crazy | Sid and Nancy | The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne | Last Days |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| News articles | IMDb Biography section | IMDb USA section |
| Add this title to MyMovies |












I am usually too lazy to put in my review comments. But when I read some of the negative comments about this movie, I ad to make a stand. I came across this movie accidentally and I'm glad I did. I think it is one of the unsung great films on music and musicians. Based on the true life of Jerry Lee Lewis, the somewhat eccentric rock and roll genius from the 50s this movie has got soul. Most of the movies about artists end up portraying them as somewhat crazy, egomaniacs, always on the edge of a break down. But this movie has a very warm and light hearted take on Jerry's life. Throughout his ups and down his character comes out as a likable one whom you want to fall in love with. There's not a moment in the film where you would feel sad or annoyed by Jerry. And for this the kudos go to both Dennis Quaid and the director. For the reviewers who have labeled Dennis's portrayal as over the top, you guys don't have a clue who and what Jerry was. Dennis has nailed the spirited and buoyant soul that Jerry Lee Lewis was. I think the people who didn't like this film wanted to see a more serious and toned down film. But this is a film about rock and roll, and there's no better way to make it then it has been donw here. I give it a 9 out of 10. Go watch this immensely entertaining film!