Delirious (1991)

A soap opera writer gets hit on the head and wakes up as a character in his own show.

Director:

Tom Mankiewicz

Writers:

Lawrence J. Cohen, Fred Freeman

Stars:

John Candy, Mariel Hemingway, Emma Samms

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
John Candy	...	Jack Gable
Mariel Hemingway	...	Janet Dubois / Louise
Emma Samms	...	Rachel Hedison / Laura Claybourne
Raymond Burr	...	Carter Hedison
Dylan Baker	...	Blake Hedison
Charles Rocket	...	Ty Hedison
David Rasche	...	Dr. Paul Kirkwood / Dennis
Andrea Thompson	...	Nurse Helen Caldwell
Zach Grenier	...	Mickey
Jerry Orbach	...	Lou Sherwood
Renée Taylor	...	Arlene Sherwood
Milt Oberman	...	Fetterman
Mark Boone Junior	...	Cable Man
Tony Steedman	...	Edward the Butler
John Michael Bolger	...	Len (as John Bolger)

Storyline

Jack is the head writer for a successful soap opera, and he's sweet on the show's star, lovely Laura. It's easy for everyone but Jack to see that she's playing him for a sap. But a conk on the head brings Jack some new insights - and some new powers. He finds himself in Ashford Falls, site of his fictional soap opera -- and everything he writes comes true! It's a fantastic opportunity to get Rachel, Laura's character, to fall in love with him. But life isn't easy even in the fictional world, and even when you're the author!

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Plot Keywords:

soap opera | writer | father son relationship | driving blindfolded | fantasy world | 

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Taglines:

A Comedy about a Soap Opera Writer Who's Typing without a Ribbon

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Genres:

Comedy | Fantasy

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 August 1991 (USA)

Also Known As:

Delírios

Filming Locations:

380 South San Rafael Avenue, Pasadena, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$18,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$5,546,827 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), Star Partners III Ltd.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the scene at the party, where the characters of "Jack Gable" and "Rachel Hedison" are dancing, John Candy and Emma Samms did the scene without doubles, although it was difficult to tell because of the distance from which it was shot. Emma Samms commented how graceful and talented of a dancer John Candy was, despite his size.

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Quotes

Jack Gable: He's operating on people? He's an actor! Not even a good one!

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Crazy Credits

The opening credits appear as if they are being typed on a typewriter, including some mistakes (cross-outs, use of white out, etc.).

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Connections

Featured in John Candy: Comic Spirit (2005)

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Soundtracks

"DELIRIOUS"
Written by Prince (as Prince Nelson)
Performed by Prince
Published by Controversy Music
Administered by WB Music Corp. (ASCAP)
Courtesy of Warner Bros. Records, Inc.
By Arrangement with Warner Special Products

User Reviews

Help, I'm Trapped In My Own Soap Opera

That's John Candy's dilemma in Delirious. Candy's a writer for a popular television day time soap which seems to bear more resemblance to the night time big budget soaps so popular in the Eighties. Anyway after some creative differences with fellow writers Jerry Orbach and Renee Taylor, Candy gets into a nasty car wreck and when he wakes up finds himself in the hospital of his own show being treated by a couple of the characters of same, doctor David Rasche and nurse Andrea Thompson.

After seeing this, I see where the creators of Pleasantville got their idea. Pleasantville of course was a bit more serious in its subject matter. Delirious was a good idea that didn't quite come off although the players do give it a good try.

Part of the problem is that even in the fantasy Candy's thinking with his hormones. He's got it bad for his show's star Emma Sammes who is doing a nice Joan Collins impersonation. There's good girl Mariel Hemingway who is auditioning in real life for a part on Candy's soap opera and she shows up in the fantasy as well.

I have to give special kudos to Raymond Burr who plays the family patriarch of this soap opera with tongue firmly in cheek. Burr's occasionally flashes a twinkle which you have to be sure to catch just to let you know how much he's enjoying this. Nice he took time off from Perry Mason here.

Sammes and Burr are the real treats of Delirious. It could have been a lot funnier, but I think someone like Mel Brooks should have directed it.