Bullets Over Broadway (1994)

User Rating:

7.5/10   

Director:

Woody Allen

Writers (WGA):

Woody Allen (written by) and
Douglas McGrath (written by)

Release Date:

18 January 1995 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Crime

Tagline:

A killer comedy!

Plot:

In 1920s New York, a struggling playwright is forced to cast a mobster's talentless girlfriend in his latest drama in order to get it produced.

Plot Keywords:

Actress | Playwright | New York | Play | Bodyguard

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 15 wins & 12 nominations

Cast

John Cusack	...	David Shayne
Dianne Wiest	...	Helen Sinclair
Jennifer Tilly	...	Olive Neal
Chazz Palminteri	...	Cheech
Mary-Louise Parker	...	Ellen
Jack Warden	...	Julian Marx
Joe Viterelli	...	Nick Valenti
Rob Reiner	...	Sheldon Flender
Tracey Ullman	...	Eden Brent
Jim Broadbent	...	Warner Purcell
Harvey Fierstein	...	Sid Loomis
Stacey Nelkin	...	Rita
Malgorzata Zajaczkowska	...	Lili (as Margaret Sophie Stein)
Charles Cragin	...	Rifkin
Nina Sonja Peterson	...	Josette (as Nina Sonya Peterson)
Edie Falco	...	Lorna
Hope W. Sacharoff	...	Hilda Marx
Debi Mazar	...	Violet
Brian McConnachie	...	Mitch Sabine
Tony Sirico	...	Rocco
Victor Colicchio	...	Waterfront Hood
Louis Eppolito	...	Waterfront Hood (as Lou Eppolito)
Gene Canfield	...	Waterfront Hood
Peter Castellotti	...	Waterfront Hood (as Pete Castellotti)
Tony Conforti	...	Waterfront Hood
John Di Benedetto	...	Waterfront Hood (as John DiBenedetto)
John Ventimiglia	...	Waterfront Hood (as Johnny Ventimiglia)
Lisa Arturo	...	Three Deuces Chorus Line
Rachel Black	...	Three Deuces Chorus Line
Alison Cramer	...	Three Deuces Chorus Line
Kelly Groninger	...	Three Deuces Chorus Line
Jennifer Lamberts	...	Three Deuces Chorus Line
Carol Lee Meadows	...	Three Deuces Chorus Line (as Carol Lee Meadows Mitchell)
Jo Telford	...	Three Deuces Chorus Line
Meghan Strange	...	Three Deuces Chorus Line
Leigh Torlage	...	Three Deuces Chorus Line
Debra Wiseman	...	Three Deuces Chorus Line
Paul Herman	...	Maitre d'
James Reno	...	Sal
Gerald Edward Dolezar	...	Cafe Waiter (as Gerald E. Dolezar)
Shannah Laumeister	...	Movie Theatre Victim
Fran McGee	...	Movie Theatre Victim
Annie Joe Edwards	...	Venus (as Annie-Joe Edwards)
Kernan Bell	...	Speakeasy Waiter
Nick Iacovino	...	Hood
Frank Aquilino	...	Hood
Sohrab Ardeshir	...	Helen's Party Guest (as Sam Ardeshir)
Molly Regan	...	Helen's Party Guest
Phil Stein	...	Stagehand
John Doumanian	...	Backstage Well-Wisher
Dayle Haddon	...	Backstage Well-Wisher
Tony Darrow	...	Aldo
Howard Erskine	...	Theater Well-Wisher
Benay Venuta	...	Theater Well-Wisher
Ken Roberts	...	Theater Well-Wisher
Jennifer Van Dyck	...	Olive's Understudy
Peter McRobbie	...	Man at Theatre
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
John Hoyt	...	Wiseguy (uncredited)
Jeff Mazzola	...	Movie Theatre Hitman (uncredited)
Rick Washburn	...	Movie Theatre Hitman (uncredited)

Directed by
Woody Allen

Writing credits (WGA)
Woody Allen		(written by) and
Douglas McGrath		(written by)

Produced by
Letty Aronson	....	co-executive producer
J.E. Beaucaire	....	executive producer
Jean Doumanian	....	executive producer
Robert Greenhut	....	producer
Charles H. Joffe	....	co-executive producer
Thomas A. Reilly	....	associate producer (as Thomas Reilly)
Helen Robin	....	co-producer
Jack Rollins	....	co-executive producer

Cinematography by
Carlo Di Palma		(as Carlo DiPalma)

Film Editing by
Susan E. Morse

Casting by
Juliet Taylor

Production Design by
Santo Loquasto

Art Direction by
Tom Warren

Set Decoration by
Susan Bode
Amy Marshall

Costume Design by
Jeffrey Kurland

Makeup Department
Joseph A. Campayno	....	makeup artist (as Joe Campayno)
Romaine Greene	....	hair stylist
Frances A. Kolar	....	makeup artist: Ms. Wiest (as Frances Kolar)
Werner Sherer	....	hair stylist (as Werner Scherer)
Craig Lyman	....	makeup artist (uncredited)

Production Management
Jonathan Filley	....	production manager
Helen Robin	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
J. David Brightbill	....	dga trainee
Richard Patrick	....	second assistant director
Thomas A. Reilly	....	first assistant director (as Thomas Reilly)

Art Department
Frank Didio	....	head carpenter
Peter Eastman	....	assistant art director
Vincent Guarriello	....	chief construction grip
Ray Kluga	....	assistant art director
Glenn Lloyd	....	art department coordinator
James Mazzola	....	property master
Wayne Moss	....	stand-by carpenter
Ron Petagna	....	construction coordinator
Peter Rogness	....	assistant art director
Cosmo Sorice	....	stand-by scenic artist
James Sorice	....	master scenic artist
Dave Weinman	....	set dresser

Sound Department
Lee Dichter	....	sound re-recording mixer: Sound One Corporation
Frank Graziadei	....	sound recordist
Robert Hein	....	supervising sound editor (as Bob Hein)
Bradford L. Hohle	....	stereo sound consultant: Dolby
Sylvia Menno	....	assistant sound editor
Todd Milner	....	apprentice sound editor
Bruce Pross	....	foley supervisor
James Sabat	....	production sound mixer
Louis Sabat	....	boom operator
Benjamin Cheah	....	apprentice sound editor (uncredited)
Marko A. Costanzo	....	foley artist (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
David E. Baron	....	camera trainee (as Dave Baron)
Kenny Burke	....	best boy grip (as Kenneth Burke)
Michael Caracciolo	....	second assistant camera
Michael Green	....	first assistant camera
Brian Hamill	....	still photographer
Tom McKibbin	....	best boy electric (as Tom McKibben)
Dick Mingalone	....	camera operator
Ray Quinlan	....	gaffer
Robert Ward	....	key grip (as Bob Ward)
Jack Coffen	....	rigging gaffer (uncredited)
Chris Hammond	....	electrician (uncredited)
Michael 'Flash' McDonald	....	electrician (uncredited)

Casting Department
Judie Fixler	....	additional casting
Aleen Keshishian	....	casting assistant
Laura Rosenthal	....	casting associate
Todd M. Thaler	....	additional casting (as Todd Thaler)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Michael Adkins	....	wardrobe supervisor
Kim Marie Druce	....	assistant costume designer (as Kim Druce)
Patricia Eiben	....	wardrobe supervisor
Suzanne McCabe	....	assistant costume designer
Eric Mendelsohn	....	assistant costume designer
Virginia D. Patton	....	costume assistant
Mark Burchard	....	wardrobe (uncredited)
Patrick Chevillot	....	costumer (uncredited)
Elizabeth Feldbauer	....	wardrobe assistant (uncredited)

Editorial Department
Kent Blocher	....	assistant film editor
William Kruzykowski	....	assistant film editor
Dale E. Grahn	....	color timer (uncredited)

Music Department
Dan Barrett	....	musician: "Three Deuces" (as Daniel Barrett)
Raymond Beckenstein	....	musician: "Three Deuces"
Phil Bodner	....	musician: Three Deuces (as Philip Bodner)
Don Butterfield	....	musician: "Three Deuces"
Sid Cooper	....	musician: Three Deuces (as Sidney Cooper)
John Frosk	....	musician: "Three Deuces"
Dick Hyman	....	conductor
Dick Hyman	....	music arranger
Stan Kurtis	....	musician: Three Deuces (as Stanley Kurtis)
Walt Levinsky	....	music recording supervisor (as Walter Levinsky)
Carmel Malin	....	musician: "Three Deuces"
Joe Malin	....	musicians coordinator
George Masso	....	musician: "Three Deuces"
John Mical	....	musician: "Three Deuces"
Randy Sandke	....	musician: Three Deuces (as Randall Sandke)
Cynthia Sayer	....	musician: "Three Deuces"
Derek Smith	....	musician: "Three Deuces"
Ted Sommer	....	musician: "Three Deuces"
Yuval Waldman	....	musician: "Three Deuces"
Roy B. Yokelson	....	music recording engineer

Transportation Department
Harold 'Whitey' McEvoy	....	transportation captain (as Harold McEvoy)
Peter Tavis	....	transportation captain

Other crew
Erika Aronson	....	location assistant
Neil Astrow	....	production assistant
Tracy Bonbrest	....	location assistant
Salvatore Carino	....	assistant production auditor
Kay Chapin	....	script supervisor
Peggy Craven	....	production assistant
Graciela Daniele	....	choreographer
Tony Fleming	....	production assistant
Jennifer Gerould	....	production assistant (as Jenefer Gerould)
Lauren Gibson	....	assistant: Mr. Allen
Dori Golod	....	assistant production coordinator
David Hummel	....	production assistant (as Dave Hummel)
Sam Hutchins	....	location scout
Eric Kopeloff	....	production assistant
Scott Kordish	....	production coordinator
John A. Machione	....	production auditor
Brian Mannain	....	studio manager
Megan Monaghan	....	location scout
Dana Robin	....	location manager
Melissa Rymer	....	location scout
Samantha Sanders	....	assistant to executive producer
Louise Storelli	....	assistant to executive producer
Carl Turnquest Jr.	....	projectionist
Mark Van Holstein	....	location scout (as Mark von Holstein)
Gilbert S. Williams	....	production assistant (as Gilbert S. Williams Jr.)
David Lanphier Jr.	....	production assistant (uncredited)
John Mingalone	....	production assistant (uncredited)
Nicholas Wolfert	....	production assistant (uncredited)

Thanks
Greg Johnson	....	thanks
Martin Schnell	....	thanks: 20th Century Draperies

Production Companies

• Miramax Films (presents)
• Sweetland Films
• Magnolia Productions

Distributors

• Miramax Films (1994) (USA) (theatrical)
• Bac Films (1995) (France) (theatrical)
• Concorde Film (1995) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• Laurenfilm (1995) (Spain) (theatrical)
• Spentzos Films (1994) (Greece) (theatrical)
• Gativideo (199?) (Argentina) (VHS)
• Miramax Home Entertainment (1999) (USA) (DVD)
• PlayArte Filmes (199?) (Brazil) (VHS)
• RCV Home Entertainment (199?) (Netherlands) (VHS)
• RCV Home Entertainment (2003) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• RCV Home Entertainment (2007) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Walt Disney Home Video (1995) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)
• Walt Disney Home Video (1996) (USA) (VHS)

Other Companies

• CST Entertainment  digital film services
• Cinesite  digital services
• Effects House, The  titles
• Helen Uffner Vintage Clothing  vintage clothing rentals
• J.G. Films  negative cutting
• PMK Public Relations  publicity
• Sony Classical  soundtrack
• Sound One Corporation  sound re-recording

MPAA:

Rated R for some language.

Runtime:

98 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:L | Finland:K-11 (cinema release) (1996) | Canada:14+ (Ontario) | Netherlands:MG6 | South Korea:15 | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Chile:14 | France:U | Germany:12 | Portugal:M/12 | Singapore:PG | Spain:T | Sweden:11 | UK:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

110th Street, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Miramax Films

Trivia:

Dianne Wiest said that she initially had trouble playing Helen Sinclair. She said she really struggled saying her character's signature line. She then decided to lower her voice when she said the line "Don't Speak" and that made all the difference. The lower she said it, the funnier it became.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: It's the 1920's but when Cheech and David are walking through a neighborhood, the handicap curb-cut at the corner is quite obvious.

Quotes:

[Helen complains about her role]
Helen Sinclair: She's dowdy. Sid, the ingenue has all the hot lines. Even the female psychiatrist is a better role.
Sid Loomis: But the role of Sylvia Poston is the lead.
Helen Sinclair: "Sylvia Poston." Even the *name* reeks of Orbach's. I do Electra. I do Lady Macbeth. I do plays by Noel and Phil Barry, or at least Max Anderson.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Runaway: A Road Adventure (2002) (VG)

Soundtrack:

Who

A Strong Supporting Cast Dominates the Action

A Woody Allen written and directed film that does not include him in a single frame. It may seem strange, but it's true. Allen's "Bullets Over Broadway" deals with a struggling stage writer (John Cusack) who is so desperate to get one of his plays on Broadway in the 1920s that he reluctantly enlists the help of the local mafia crime lord to fund the play. Of course there is a large stipulation. The crime lord's girl must be in the play (hilariously played by Jennifer Tilly in an Oscar-nominated role). Needless to say she's terrible and Cusack struggles with her in the play. However, he has booked A-list actress Dianne Wiest (in her second Oscar-winning role) who is an alcoholic who has seen better days in her career. Tilly's bodyguard (Chazz Palminteri, also in an Oscar-nominated role) sees the play rehearsed firsthand and gives Cusack some directions on the project that Cusack cannot refuse. Palminteri is street smart and knows how people really talk, while Cusack is so educated that his words make no sense to the normal audience. This film is what "The Godfather" would have been like if Allen had directed it. The screenplay is outstanding and Allen's direction has rarely been better. Cusack is fun and hilarious, but it is the supporting cast that makes the movie work. Other than the aforementioned Oscar-nominated actors, there are great turns by several others. Mary-Louise Parker, Tracy Ullman, Jim Broadbent, Jack Warden, Rob Reiner, Harvey Feinstein, and Joe Viterelli are all superb in well-calculated supporting roles. 4 out of 5 stars.