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For the Boys (1991)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers (WGA):
Release Date:
22 November 1991 (USA)
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Tagline:
Laughter and tears. Tragedy and triumph. They lived it all. For the boys.
Plot:
With the help of the singer and dancer Dixie Leonhard US-Entertainer Eddie Sparks wants to bring some fun to the soldiers during World War II...
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Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Nominated for Oscar.
Another 1 win
&
1 nomination
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NewsDesk:
User Comments:
(7/10) Midler shines in epic tearjerker
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Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only) | Bette Midler | ... | Dixie Leonard |
 | James Caan | ... | Eddie Sparks |
 | George Segal | ... | Art Silver |
 | Patrick O'Neal | ... | Shephard |
| Christopher Rydell | ... | Danny Leonard |
 | Arye Gross | ... | Jeff Brooks |
| Norman Fell | ... | Sam Schiff |
| Rosemary Murphy | ... | Luanna Trott |
 | Bud Yorkin | ... | Phil |
| Dori Brenner | ... | Loretta |
| Jack Sheldon | ... | Wally Fields |
| Karen Martin | ... | Victoria Lee |
| Shannon Wilcox | ... | Margaret Sparks |
| Michael Greene | ... | Maj. Gen. Scott |
| Melissa Manchester | ... | Corrine |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
138 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) |
Dolby SR (35 mm prints)
Certification:
Iceland:12 |
Argentina:13 |
Australia:M |
Chile:14 |
Finland:K-12 |
Germany:12 |
Sweden:11 |
UK:15 |
USA:R |
Singapore:PG
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Many reviewers noted that James Caan seemed miscast in the role of comedian Eddie Sparks (a caricature of Bob Hope) and wondered why co-star George Segal, who as an actor had proved equally adept at comedy and drama, wasn't cast in the role instead. The truth is that Caan's career was hot again after the success of Misery (1990) and Segal was not, so Caan got the lead and Segal the supporting role.
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Goofs:
Anachronisms: In the film during a World War II sequence Bette Midler sings "Come Rain or Come Shine" which was not written until after the war and wasn't introduced until 1946.
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Quotes:
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: Alien from L.A. (#6.16)" (1993)
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Soundtrack:
The White Cliffs of Dover
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FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (34 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for For the Boys (1991)| Recent Posts (updated daily) | User |
|---|---|
| makeup | johnseason |
| Relationship between Dixie and Danny | roargsu |
| When Danny's killed . . . | disco_tramp |
| song title? | noswalt |
| question | ShempShemp |
| Favorite part in movie? | crazy_old_days |
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"For The Boys" is the story of two people - the irrepressible Dixie Leonard (Bette Midler) and the instantly dislikable but ever popular Eddie Sparks (James Caan). Set against the backdrop of wars in which the United States has been involved, the film moves from station to station as the pair entertain the boys while they bicker and fight amongst themselves.
The film starts with an aged Midler telling a studio assistant (Arye Gross) her tale, starting in the forties with World War II, moving through the was in Korea and climaxing in Vietnam. Along the way, she gets to sing a few classic tunes, including "Stuff Like That There" and "P.S. I Love You, as part of the stage act of comedian Eddie Sparks.
Bette Midler delivers a fine performance as the embittered Dixie Leonard who has seen it all in fifty odd years in the business. She layers her performance with emotion after emotion and has the gift of bringing out that quality in her fellow actors. The highlight of this film is her understated performance of "In My Life" at the small Vietnamese camp - truly a moment when the world stops turning and we are graced with a glimpse of heaven. James Caan, playing a quintessential son of a bitch, is less comfortable in his role but has some fine moments opposite his dynamic co-star.
The purpose of this film is not to document the wars which form such an integral backdrop to the plot. It succeeds primarily as a story of people - their suffering and their joy is real and it affects the audience in no uncertain terms. You will either love or hate this movie. Either way, take the time to decide - its worth the screening even if only for the divine Miss M.