Lost in Yonkers (1993)

In the summer of 1942 two young boys are sent to stay with their stern grandmother Kurnitz and their childlike aunt Bella in Yonkers, New York.

Director:

Martha Coolidge

Writers:

Neil Simon (play), Neil Simon (screenplay)

Stars:

Richard Dreyfuss, Mercedes Ruehl, Irene Worth

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Richard Dreyfuss	...	Louie Kurnitz
Mercedes Ruehl	...	Bella Kurnitz
Irene Worth	...	Grandma Kurnitz
Brad Stoll	...	Jay
Mike Damus	...	Arty
David Strathairn	...	Johnny
Robert Miranda	...	Hollywood Harry (as Robert Guy Miranda)
Jack Laufer	...	Eddie
Susan Merson	...	Gert
Illya Haase	...	Harry's Crony
Calvin Stillwell	...	Gas Station Attendant
Dick Hagerman	...	Truck Driver
Jesse Vincent	...	Danny
Howard Newstate	...	Kid in Store
Peter Gannon	...	Cop

Storyline

In 1942 in the Bronx, Evelyn Kurnitz has just passed away following a lengthy illness. Her husband, Eddie Kurnitz, needs to take a job as a traveling salesman to pay off the medical bills incurred, and decides to ask his stern and straight talking mother, from who he is slightly estranged, if his two early-teen sons, Jay and Arty (who their Grandma call by their full given names, Yakob and Arthur), can live with her and their Aunt Bella Kurnitz in Yonkers. She reluctantly agrees after a threat by Bella. Despite their Grandma owning and operating a candy store, Jay and Arty don't like their new living situation as they're afraid of their Grandma, and find it difficult to relate to their crazy Aunt Bella, whose slow mental state is manifested by perpetual excitability and a short attention span, which outwardly comes across as a childlike demeanor. Into their collective lives returns one of Eddie and Bella's other siblings, Louie Kurnitz, a henchman for some gangsters. He is hiding out ...

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Plot Keywords:

aunt | grandmother | yonkers new york | mother daughter relationship | dysfunctional family | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for thematic elements and mild language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 May 1993 (USA)

Also Known As:

Neil Simon's Lost in Yonkers

Filming Locations:

Augusta, Kentucky, USA

Box Office

Gross:

$9,285,189 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation, Rastar Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

114 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The storyline centers around two brothers as did Neil Simon's earlier Come Blow Your Horn did. The "Lost in Yonkers" play actually debuted almost exactly thirty years after the play of Come Blow Your Horn did.

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Goofs

When Bella is making the deluxe hot fudge sundaes for the boys, one of the cherries rolls off the top of the whipped cream but, when she sets the sundaes on the counter in front of the boys, both cherries are on top of the whipped cream.

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Quotes

Jay: [after his Aunt Bella randomly charges out of the house in tears] See why I don't like to come here too often?

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Connections

Features Now, Voyager (1942)

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Soundtracks

"Now Voyager"
Written by Max Steiner
Courtesy of Turner Entertainment Co.

User Reviews

Touching, Poignant, Funny, and Well Executed

After watching this movie, I became interested in finding out about the young actor Brad Stoll who played the role of Jay. How sadenned I was to learn that he died of cancer. His talent was very promising, and it is tragic that his career was cut short at such a young age. Nonetheless, this film serves as a testimony to his fine ability, and I never tire of watching it. The performances are excellent across the board, and the story well written. I give it my highest recommendation.