Soapdish (1991)

An ambitious TV soap actress connives with her producer to scuttle the career of the show's long-time star, but nothing works as they plan.

Director:

Michael Hoffman

Writers:

Robert Harling (story), Robert Harling (screenplay),

Stars:

Sally Field, Kevin Kline, Robert Downey Jr.

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sally Field	...	Celeste Talbert / Maggie
Kevin Kline	...	Jeffrey Anderson / Dr. Rod Randall
Robert Downey Jr.	...	David Seton Barnes
Cathy Moriarty	...	Montana Moorehead / Nurse Nan
Elisabeth Shue	...	Lori Craven / Angelique
Whoopi Goldberg	...	Rose Schwartz
Teri Hatcher	...	Ariel Maloney / Dr. Monica Demonico
Garry Marshall	...	Edmund Edwards
Kathy Najimy	...	Tawny Miller
Arne Nannestad	...	Director Burton White
Paul Johansson	...	Blair Brennan / Bolt
Sheila Kelley	...	Fran
Leeza Gibbons	...	Herself
John Tesh	...	Himself
Stephen Nichols	...	Himself

Storyline

Celeste Talbert has been the queen of the soaps for over two decades. Montana Moorehead needs to get her out of her way before she can move on and begins her program to get her to leave. She hires an old boyfriend of Celeste to be on the show and has Celeste become a murderer in the script, but each attempt has unforseen consequences.

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Plot Keywords:

star | producer | niece | soap star | actress | 

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Taglines:

All that glitter... All that glamour... All that dirt.

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Certificate:

PG-13

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

31 May 1991 (USA)

Also Known As:

Babka z zakalcem

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Gross:

$36,489,888 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

According to a Baltimore newspaper article, Patty Duke was announced for the lead, a role that was written with her in mind.

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Goofs

When Celeste is in her apartment crying to Rose about Jeff and Laurie, her bangs go from behind her mask to in front of the mask, and back, several times.

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Quotes

Lori Craven: [bursting into David's office] We need to talk. Look, I don't care WHAT Tawny Miller says. This hat makes me look like the GOD damned Tweety Bird.
[to Montana]
Lori Craven: Do you mind?
Montana Moorehead: You, you're asking me to leave?
Lori Craven: That's right. I'm asking you to leave.
Montana Moorehead: David...
David Barnes: Miss Moorehead, may Miss Craven and I have a moment alone, please?
Montana Moorehead: No problem. I'm a professional. I do things professionally.
[storms out]
Montana Moorehead: [from off stage] I hate you! I hate you, you pig!
[...]

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Crazy Credits

Early in the opening credits we see the words "a hamon cheimafflo film". The letters of the two middle words then rearrange themselves, one "o" slipping off the side of the screen, to form the name of director Michael Hoffman.

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Connections

Featured in 1992 MTV Movie Awards (1992)

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Soundtracks

"El sol también se pone"
Music by Ludar Felsenstein
Lyrics by Ludar Felsenstein (as Ludar)

User Reviews

A Forgotten Comedy Classic

'Soapdish' is one of the best, yet least well remembered comedies of the 1990's. The film revolves around the various off-camera drama's that occur behind the scenes of a cheaply produced Daytime Soap Opera. The first of the film's various impressive strengths is it's fantastic A-List cast. 'Soapdish' features some of the greatest actors and actresses of it's era.

The film is superbly led by Sally Field, as the neurotic ageing actress Celeste Talbert (She famously throws a tantrum when put in a costume that makes her look like "Gloria F*CKING Swanson!"). Her supporting cast reads like a who's-who of 90's Movie Greats! Whoopi Goldberg, Robert Downey Jr, Teri Hatcher, Kevin Kline and Kathy Najimy all elevate the film greatly. Goldberg is predictably excellent, whilst Downey Jr.'s and Hatcher's performances hint at the comedic excellence they would later achieve.

In terms of writing, the film is outstanding. There is a really modern edge to the script, which strays into the wonderfully bizarre on several occasions. There also several visual gags that are quite ahead of their time. In some ways, the film is reminiscent of Mel Brooks at his best and frequently reminded this reviewer of 'High Anxiety' (1977). Much of the film's humour hinges on it's often scathing, but pretty accurate, representations of daytime television and of neurotic and pretentious actors. For example, The extras casting session featuring the exploitative executive played by Carrie Fisher, is both hilarious and honest.

'Soapdish' is, for my money, one of the very best comedies Hollywood produced during the 1990's. It's excellent script and A-Class cast make it a must-see. It's hard not to love this film after it's kept you laughing for 90 minutes.