For the Boys (1991)

User Rating:

5.7/10   

Director:

Mark Rydell

Writers (WGA):

Neal Jimenez (story) &
Lindy Laub (story) ...

Release Date:

22 November 1991 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Music

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...

Plot Keywords:

Korean War | WWII | Concert Scene

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

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

Runtime:

138 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR (35 mm prints) | 70 mm 6-Track (70 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:

Inyo National Forest - 351 Pacu Lane, Bishop, California, USA

Company:

All Girl Productions

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.

Goofs:

Factual errors: When Dixie arrives in England in December of 1942, there is a P-51 Mustang on the ramp. This airplane was not in service in December 1942. Also this airplane has the black and white identification stripes not used until June 6, 1944.

Quotes:

Eddie: What? we're short... oh time. Two minutes time. Well, Dixie do you have any ideas of what we can do in two minutes?
Dixie: Not unless your part rabbit.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: Alien from L.A. (#6.16)" (1993)

Soundtrack:

The More I See You

Great movie

This is a very emotional movie with a great cast. I'm not a James Caan fan, but he was perfect for this. Slippery as an eel though the McCarthy era up until the end. In response to the comments by other reviewers regarding the politics including sexism I have to say that I found these things the best part of the movie even if they were not very deeply explored. False, facile patriotism exposed and 2 older people who actually learned something from their lives - that's pretty good. I am a big Bette Midler fan so that didn't hurt. She sang a lot of good songs. I especially loved, "For All We Know." I liked the contrasting points of view between a woman who lost her husband and son and the man who really really did not seem to have any principals. The Mc Carthy era was depicted as a "scoundrel time" to use Lillian Hellman's phrase. George Segals speech at the Christmas Party after he was fired could have been stronger, but it was good.