Bird on a Wire (1990)

Director:

John Badham

Writers (WGA):

Louis Venosta (story) &
Eric Lerner (story) ...
(more)

Release Date:

18 May 1990 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Comedy | Thriller

Tagline:

He's every woman's dream and one woman's nightmare

Plot:

A FBI informant has kept his new identity secret for 15 years, now an old flame has recognised him and the bad guys are back for revenge.

Plot Keywords:

FBI | Chase | Showdown | Brawl | Tiger

Cast

Mel Gibson	...	Rick Jarmin
Goldie Hawn	...	Marianne Graves
David Carradine	...	Eugene Sorenson
Bill Duke	...	Albert Diggs
Stephen Tobolowsky	...	Joe Weyburn
Joan Severance	...	Rachel Varney
Harry Caesar	...	Marvin
Jeff Corey	...	Lou Baird
Alex Bruhanski	...	Raun
John Pyper-Ferguson	...	Jamie
Clyde Kusatsu	...	Mr. Takawaki
Jackson Davies	...	Paul Bernard
Florence Paterson	...	Molly Baird
Tim Healy	...	Paul
Wes Tritter	...	Scottie
Lossen Chambers	...	Lossen
Ken Camroux	...	Neff
Wendy Van Riesen	...	Secretary
Lesley Ewen	...	Night Receptionist
Robert Metcalfe	...	Dex
Kevin McNulty	...	Brad
Robert Thurston	...	Bank Teller
Brian Torpe	...	Bank Vice President
Oscar Goncalves	...	Bank Guard
Tim Price	...	Beggar
Oscar Ramos	...	Cop at Fire
Dan Zale	...	Fireman
Blu Mankuma	...	Plainclothesman
Christopher Judge	...	Cop at Cafe (as Doug Judge)
Jon Garber	...	Nikita Knatz
Paul Jarrett	...	Carl Laemmle
James Kidnie	...	Underworld Boss
Kim Kondrashoff	...	Guard at Gate
Michel Barbe	...	Maitre d'
Maria Leone	...	Sales Clerk
Danny Wattley	...	Cement Worker

Directed by
John Badham

Writing credits (WGA)
Louis Venosta		(story) &
Eric Lerner		(story)
David Seltzer		(screenplay) and
Louis Venosta		(screenplay) &
Eric Lerner		(screenplay)

Produced by
Fitch Cady	....	co-producer
Rob Cohen	....	producer
Robert W. Cort	....	executive producer
Ted Field	....	executive producer
Dana Satler Hankins	....	associate producer (as Dana Satler)
Eric Lerner	....	co-producer
Keith Rubinstein	....	associate producer
Louis Venosta	....	co-producer

Original Music by
Hans Zimmer

Cinematography by
Robert Primes		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Frank Morriss
Dallas Puett

Casting by
Lynne Carrow
Mike Fenton
Lynda Gordon
Judy Taylor

Production Design by
Philip Harrison

Art Direction by
Richard Hudolin

Set Decoration by
Rose Marie McSherry

Costume Design by
Eduardo Castro
Wayne A. Finkelman		(as Wayne Finkelman)

Makeup Department
E. Thomas Case	....	makeup artist: Ms. Hawn (as Tom Case)
Sandy Cooper	....	makeup artist
Jayne Dancose	....	makeup artist: second unit
Stephan Dupuis	....	special effects makeup: second unit, Chris Walas, Inc.
Sherry Linder-Gygli	....	hair stylist (as Sherry Linder)
Malcolm Marsden	....	hair stylist: second unit
Lyndell Quiyou	....	hair stylist: Ms. Hawn
Harold Weed	....	special effects makeup: second unit, Chris Walas, Inc.
Susan Boyd	....	hair stylist (uncredited)

Production Management
Matthew O'Connor	....	production manager
Larry Powell	....	unit production manager: aerial unit

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Rob Cohen	....	second unit director
Richard Coleman	....	second assistant director
James W. Gavin	....	aerial unit director (as James Gavin)
Peter D. Marshall	....	first assistant director (as Peter Marshall)
Kenna Marshall-Pittman	....	third assistant director (as Kenna Marshall-Pitman)
Sandra Mayo	....	second assistant director: second unit
Larry Powell	....	assistant director: aerial unit
Jim Rowe	....	second assistant director: second unit
Tom Rowe	....	first assistant director: second unit
Michael E. Steele	....	first assistant director: aerial unit (as Michael Steele)
Lorrie Ward	....	dgc trainee
Brad Kersch	....	assistant director (uncredited)
David Markowitz	....	first assistant director: second unit (uncredited)
Warren Wayne	....	third assistant director: second unit (uncredited)

Art Department
Daniel R. Bradette	....	assistant set decorator (as Daniel Bradette)
Duff Chambers	....	lead hand
Mel Christensen	....	metal fabricator (as Mel Christansen)
James Clare	....	on-set dresser (as Jim 'Blu' Clare)
Sandy Cochrane	....	assistant art director
Annmarie Corbett	....	set decoration buyer (as Annmarie Corbet)
Sal D'Aquila	....	model maker
Mark Davidson	....	set dresser
R.D. 'Luther' Fairbairn	....	assistant property master
Don Gervais	....	construction foreman
Roland-Marie Gervais	....	lead painter (as Roland Gervais)
Chris Hayward	....	stand-by painter
Jeff House	....	lead plasterer
Jerry Kinmont	....	lead hand
Nikita Knatz	....	storyboard artist
Jan Kobylka	....	construction engineer
Mari Laughlen	....	props: second unit (as Mari Laughlin)
Derick McLeod	....	location construction coordinator
Glen Moseley	....	stand-by carpenter
Andy Polos	....	props: second unit
Joanne Quirk	....	set dresser
Chuck Robinson	....	set dresser (as H.C. 'Chuck' Robinson)
Alex Scutti Jr.	....	head plasterer (as Alex Scutti III)
Michael J. Siver	....	head greensman (as Mike Siver)
Louis Solyom	....	head painter
Bill Thumm	....	property master
Thom Wells	....	construction coordinator
Glenn Woodruff	....	lead hand
James T. Woods	....	specialist painter
Gary York	....	lead hand
Richard Cook	....	set illustrator (uncredited)
Adrian Dowell	....	carpenter (uncredited)
Dean Eilertson	....	set dresser (uncredited)
William Heslup	....	set designer: zoo (uncredited)
Byron King	....	set designer (uncredited)
James Steuart	....	art department coordinator (uncredited)

Sound Department
Rick Alexander	....	supervising sound re-recording mixer: Universal
James Bolt	....	sound re-recording mixer: Universal (as Jim Bolt)
Milton C. Burrow	....	supervising sound editor
Neil Burrow	....	sound editor
Scott Burrow	....	sound editor
Craig Cathers	....	sound re-recording mixer: Meridian (as Craig P. Cathers)
Gordon Davidson	....	sound editor
Steve Dewey	....	additional sound effects: Musikwerks (as Stephen Dewey)
Joel Fein	....	sound re-recording mixer: Universal
John Harling	....	boom operator
Robert L. Harman	....	sound re-recording mixer: Meridian
Robert L. Hoyt	....	sound re-recording mixer: Meridian
Kelly L. Manger	....	assistant sound editor (as Kelly Manger)
Robyn A. Manger	....	assistant sound editor (as Robin Manger)
William L. Manger	....	supervising sound editor
Larry Mann	....	sound editor
Richard Oswald	....	sound editor (as Dick Oswald)
Richard Patton	....	sound mixer (as Rick Patton)
Albert Romero	....	sound recordist: Universal
Allen L. Stone	....	sound re-recording mixer: Meridian
Bill Voigtlander	....	adr editor
Bill Wyley	....	sound editor
Beau Biggart	....	adr mixer (uncredited)
Steve Kohler	....	foley recordist (uncredited)
Jerry Trent	....	foley artist (uncredited)
David Tweet	....	assistant sound editor (uncredited)

Special Effects by
James G. Fisher	....	special effects crew (as Jim Fisher)
Corbin Fox	....	special effects crew
Don Leask	....	special effects shop foreman
Lars Lenander	....	special effects crew
Dean Lockwood	....	special effects best boy
Darrell Pritchett	....	special effects best boy
Michael Steffe	....	animatronics engineer: second unit, Chris Walas, Inc.
John Thomas	....	special effects coordinator
Mike Vézina	....	special effects crew (as Mike Vezina)
Rory Cutler	....	special effects (uncredited)
Michael Walls	....	special effects assistant (uncredited)
Joel Whist	....	special effects assistant (uncredited)

Visual Effects by
Michael L. Fink	....	computer visuals consultant (as Mike Fink)

Stunts
Kurt Bryant	....	stunts
Brad Case	....	stunts
P.J. Cottingham	....	stunts
Monty Cox	....	animal stunts coordinator
Mike Crestejo	....	stunts (as Michael Crestejo)
Cheryl Wheeler Duncan	....	stunts (as Cheryl Wheeler-Dixon)
Jim Dunn	....	stunts (as Jim Dunne)
Tom Glass	....	stunts
Sonny Hazelwood	....	stunts
Gene Heck	....	stunts
Ernie Jackson	....	stunts
Ken Kirzinger	....	stunts
Tony Morelli	....	stunts
Doug Robertson	....	stunts
Ronald Robinson	....	stunts (as Ron Robinson)
Mic Rodgers	....	stunt coordinator: Los Angeles
Jacob Rupp	....	stunts
Dawn Stofer-Rupp	....	stunts
Betty Thomas Quee	....	stunt coordinator: Vancouver (as Betty Thomas)
Brent Woolsey	....	stunts
Dean Choe	....	stunts (uncredited)
David Jacox	....	stunts (uncredited)
Michael Langlois	....	stunts (uncredited)
Mic Rodgers	....	stunt double: Mel Gibson (uncredited)
Melissa R. Stubbs	....	stunts (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Dan Bennett	....	key grip: second unit
Oliver Berg	....	best boy grip
Cyrus Block	....	camera operator
John L. Brown	....	dolly grip (as John Brown)
Richard Buckmaster	....	best boy (as Rick Buckmaster)
John Clothier	....	camera operator
Douglas Craik	....	first assistant cameraman (as Doug Craik)
Shirley Dalke	....	second assistant cameraman: second unit
Theo Eglseder	....	first assistant cameraman: second unit
Robert Ennis	....	camera operator: second unit (as Bob Ennis)
Todd M. Gavin	....	second camera assistant: aerial unit (as Todd Gavin)
Colin Gray	....	rigging gaffer
Paul Guenette	....	second assistant cameraman
Tim Hogan	....	key grip
Frank M. Holgate	....	aerial camera operator: aerial unit (as Frank Holgate)
Frank M. Holgate	....	director of photography: aerial unit (as Frank Holgate)
Steve Holgate	....	first camera assistant: aerial unit
Stephen Jackson	....	gaffer
Shaun Lawless	....	lighting technician
Joseph Lederer	....	still photographer (as Joe Lederer)
Peter McLennan	....	director of photography: second unit
Klaus Melchior	....	video assist operator
Rod Parkhurst	....	camera operator: second unit
Curtis Petersen	....	camera operator: second unit
Curtis Petersen	....	second unit: director of photography
Paul Prince	....	first assistant cameraman
Steven H. Smith	....	camera operator: aerial unit (as Steve Smith)
Peter A. Stursberg	....	second assistant camera
Gary Viola	....	second assistant cameraman: second unit
Adam Glick	....	set lighting technician (uncredited)
Tim Heller	....	lighting technician (uncredited)
George Ramage	....	rigging electrician (uncredited)
John Rigg	....	grip (uncredited)
Daryl Steinkopf	....	grip (uncredited)

Casting Department
Sandra Couldwell	....	extras casting
Barbara Harris	....	adr voice casting
Joni Kearney	....	casting assistant (uncredited)
Andrew Van Slee	....	extras casting (uncredited)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Debbie Douglas	....	costume supervisor
Wendy Foster	....	set costumer
Debbie Geaghan	....	costume supervisor: second unit
Monique Prudhomme	....	costume designer: Vancouver (as Monique Stranan)

Editorial Department
Donah Bassett	....	negative cutter
Dale Caldwell	....	lab timer
Emma E. Hickox	....	assistant editor: L.A.
Nigel Hollick	....	assistant editor: Vancouver
Jeff Jones	....	associate editor
David Tweet	....	assistant film editor (uncredited)

Music Department
Steve Bartek	....	additional orchestrator
James Flamberg	....	music editor
Bruce Fowler	....	additional orchestrator
Jay Rifkin	....	music recordist
Steve Rose	....	assistant music recordist
Lawrence Schwartz	....	additional orchestrator (as Larry Schwartz)
Shirley Walker	....	conductor
Shirley Walker	....	orchestrator
Mark Watters	....	additional orchestrator
Sandy DeCrescent	....	orchestra contractor (uncredited)

Transportation Department
Bob Bowe	....	transportation coordinator: second unit
Dave Bowe	....	transportation coordinator
Nigel Habgood	....	picture vehicle coordinator
Carol McDonald	....	picture vehicle coordinator (as Carol Macdonald)
John G. Oliver	....	transportation captain (as John Oliver)
Lawrence Albright	....	driver (uncredited)
Bob Dennett	....	driver: Goldie Hawn (uncredited)
Ken C. Johnson	....	transportation (uncredited)
Bruce Scott	....	driver: cast (uncredited)

Other crew
Elizabeth Aird	....	unit publicist
Michael Bafaro	....	production assistant
Lorraine Baird	....	production accountant
Alan Barwell-Clarke	....	production assistant
Jean Bereziuk	....	script supervisor
Stewart Bethune	....	unit location manager
Kelly Breidenbach	....	staff: L.A.
Janet Brown	....	script supervisor: second unit
D.J. Caruso	....	production associate: Badham-Cohen Group (as D. J. Caruso)
Debbie Coe	....	animal trainer (as Debra Coe)
Monty Cox	....	animal coordinator
Jason Crosby	....	marine coordinator
Mark Flett	....	production assistant
Jon Garber	....	dialogue coach
Seth Gechter	....	staff: L.A.
Rick Glassey	....	animal trainer
Gretchen Goode	....	assistant production coordinator
Dennis Grisco	....	animal trainer
Brant Handle	....	production assistant
Carrie Hauman	....	assistant: Mr. Badham
Caroline Kallas	....	staff: L.A.
Ray Lai	....	production assistant (as Ramond Lai)
Jeanie Lamb	....	production coordinator
Robert Lassers	....	assistant: Mr. Cohen
Carol Lille	....	animal trainer
Greg Lille	....	animal trainer
Tim Low	....	animal trainer
Charles Lyall	....	production assistant
Jeni Munn	....	staff: L.A.
Rino Pace	....	location manager: second unit
Jim Rankin	....	craft service
Jim Rankin	....	first aid
Anna Rapagna	....	assistant animal coordinator
Chris Rudolph	....	assistant location manager
Joey Steele	....	assistant accountant
Gerry Therrien	....	animal trainer
Jon Van Dyke	....	animal trainer (as John Van Dyke)
Danny Virtue	....	animal trainer
Matt Weaver	....	staff: L.A. (as Matthew Weaver)
Robin Webb	....	animal trainer (as Rob Webb)
Beverly Wiens	....	assistant production coordinator
Jack Wright	....	animal trainer
Jane Charles	....	production assistant (uncredited)
Kyle Cooper	....	title designer (uncredited)
Terri Depaolo	....	assistant: Mel Gibson (uncredited)
Laurie McLay	....	production assistant (uncredited)
Nicholas Wolfert	....	production assistant (uncredited)

Thanks
Mike Solecki	....	the producers wish to thank: for their help in the making of this film, BC Rail Ltd.

Production Companies

• Universal Pictures (presents)
• Interscope Communications (producer)
• Badham-Cohen Group, The (producer) (as Badham/Cohen)

Distributors

• Universal Pictures (1990) (USA) (theatrical)
• National Broadcasting Company (NBC) (1992) (USA) (TV) (broadcast premiere)
• United International Pictures (UIP) (1990) (Belgium) (theatrical)
• United International Pictures (UIP) (1990) (Finland) (theatrical)
• United International Pictures (UIP) (1990) (France) (theatrical)
• Argentina Video Home (Argentina) (video)
• Egmont Entertainment (????) (Finland) (DVD)
• Esselte Video (????) (Finland) (video)
• MCA Home Video (1990) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)
• Universal Home Entertainment (1998) (USA) (DVD)
• Universal Pictures (2003) (France) (DVD)
• Universal Studios Home Video (2007) (Canada) (DVD)
• Universal Studios (1998) (USA) (DVD)

Special Effects

• Video Image (computer animation)
• Chris Walas (animatronic facilities by: second unit)

Other Companies

• American Humane Association, The  the producers wish to thank: for their help in the making of this film
• Apple Computer  the producers wish to thank: for their help in the making of this film (as Apple Computers, Inc.)
• Atlas Supply Company of Canada  the producers wish to thank: for their help in the making of this film
• BC Rail  the producers wish to thank: for their help in the making of this film
• Bridge Studios, The  the producers wish to thank: for their help in the making of this film (as The Bridge Stages, Burnaby, British Columbia)
• British Columbia Film Centre, The  the producers wish to thank: for their help in the making of this film (as British Columbia Film Centre)
• British Columbia Film Commission  the producers wish to thank: for their help in the making of this film (as The British Columbia Film Commission)
• Cambridge Shopping Centres  the producers wish to thank: for their help in the making of this film
• Clairmont Camera  lenses & cameras provided by
• D.W. Thomson Consultants  the producers wish to thank: for their help in the making of this film, waterfall mechanical consultants
• First Wisconsin Bank of Racine  the producers wish to thank: for their help in the making of this film
• Focus on Food  the producers wish to thank: for their help in the making of this film (as Focus On Food Catering)
• Gastown Film Labs  the producers wish to thank: for their help in the making of this film
• I Love NY  the producers wish to thank: for their help in the making of this film (as I[heart]NY)
• International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE)  acknowledgment (as I.A.T.S.E.)
• Krown / Y&R Entertainment  the producers wish to thank: for their help in the making of this film (as Krown-Y & R)
• Motion Picture Studio Production Technicians I.A.T.S.E. Local 891  the producers wish to thank: for their help in the making of this film (as Motion Picture Studio Technicians, I.A.T.S.E. 891, Vancouver)
• Musikwerks  additional sound effects
• PPI Camera Corporation  camera equipment provided by
• PPI Camera Corporation  camera support
• People of Vancouver, The  the producers wish to thank: for their help in the making of this film (as The People and Officials of Vancouver, B.C.)
• R/Greenberg Associates  titles designed and produced by (as R. Greenberg Associates, Inc., NYC)
• The Lion Wild Animal Rentals  animals supplied by
• Universal Studios  re-recorded at
• William F. White International  grip and lighting equipment

Also Known As:

Runtime:

110 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

USA:PG-13 (NO. 30269) | South Korea:15 | Portugal:M/12 | France:U | Finland:K-15 (new rating: 2001) | Norway:15 | Argentina:13 | Chile:14 | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | West Germany:12 | Ireland:15 | Singapore:PG | Iceland:16 (video rating) | Iceland:12 (original rating) | Australia:M

Filming Locations:

3rd Street, New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada

Company:

Universal Pictures

Trivia:

French visa # 74232.

Goofs:

Continuity: While Rick and Marianne are in the hotel room, they begin pulling back all the covers on the bed. They pull back several layers until they are at the sheet. In the next shot, they pull back one more blanket to reveal the sheet again.

Quotes:

[A motorcycle cop flips over his handlebars head first into concrete being laid]
Workman:What are you doing with your face in my sidewalk?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Baghead (2008)

Soundtrack:

Ramblin' Man

bad day at the zoo for Mel and Goldie

The star power of Mel Gibson and Goldie Hawn help this 1990 action film, which is about a witness protection program refugee who reconnects by accident with his old girlfriend. The two then run to avoid the people after him. And run and run and run.

There are so many chase scenes in this movie, I lost count, but they lead to a very effective finale in the zoo. I enjoyed this movie because of its two stars. I thought they had great chemistry and repartee.

The movie is short on plot and character development, you know, things that one would occasionally enjoy seeing in a film, and long on action, charm, Mel's rear, Goldie's figure, and fashion. On this basis, I found it enjoyable.