IMDb > For the Boys (1991)
For the Boys
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For the Boys (1991) More at IMDbPro »

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For the Boys (1991) -- Clip: Apology song

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Overview

User Rating:
5.7/10   2,154 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 8% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers (WGA):
Neal Jimenez (story) &
Lindy Laub (story) ...
more
Contact:
View company contact information for For the Boys on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
22 November 1991 (USA) more
Genre:
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... more | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Nominated for Oscar. Another 1 win & 1 nomination more
NewsDesk:
Meet Jasper Warren Paisley!
 (From People - CelebrityBabies. 11 September 2009, 2:00 PM, PDT)

User Comments:
(7/10) Midler shines in epic tearjerker more (34 total)

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
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Additional Details

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)

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. more
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. more
Quotes:
Eddie: Hey, Dixie, they gave me a big suite upstairs.
Dixie: Really?
Eddie: Oh yeah. And I got a big king-size bed.
Dixie: You wanna lie down, Eddie?
Eddie: Is that an offer?
Dixie: It's a recommendation.
more
Movie Connections:
Soundtrack:
The White Cliffs of Dover more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
12 out of 14 people found the following comment useful.
(7/10) Midler shines in epic tearjerker, 23 April 2000
7/10
Author: David Fick from Cape Town, South Africa

"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.

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