Tommy Boy (1995)

An incompetent, immature, and dimwitted heir to an auto parts factory must save the business to keep it out of the hands of his new, con-artist relatives and big business.

Director:

Peter Segal

Writers:

Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner

Stars:

Chris Farley, David Spade, Brian Dennehy

1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Chris Farley	...	Tommy
David Spade	...	Richard
Brian Dennehy	...	Big Tom
Bo Derek	...	Beverly
Dan Aykroyd	...	Zalinsky
Julie Warner	...	Michelle
Sean McCann	...	Frank Rittenhauer
Zach Grenier	...	Ted Reilly
James Blendick	...	Ron Gilmore
Clinton Turnbull	...	Young Tommy
Ryder Britton	...	Young Richard
Paul Greenberg	...	Skittish Student
Graeme Millington	...	Frat Boy
Michael Cram	...	Frat Boy
Dean Marshall	...	Frat Boy

Storyline

Tommy Callahan Jr. is a slow-witted, clumsy guy who recently graduated college after attending for seven years. His father, Big Tom Callahan, owns an auto parts factory in Ohio. When Tommy arrives back home, he finds he has a position at the factory waiting for him. His dad also introduces Tommy to the new brake pad division of the factory and to Tommy's soon-to-be stepmother, Beverly, and her son Paul. But when Big Tom dies, the factory threatens to go under unless the new brake pads are to be sold. Therefore, Tommy must go on the road to sell them, along with the assistance of Richard, Big Tom's right-hand man. Will Tommy save the company, or will the factory, and the town, go under?

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Plot Keywords:

buddy | con artist | father son relationship | skinny dipping | box office hit | 

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Taglines:

If at first you don't succeed, lower your standards.

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Genres:

Comedy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for sex-related humor, some drug content and nudity

Details

Official Sites:

Paramount Pictures [us]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

31 March 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

Le courage d'un con

Filming Locations:

BCE Place, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Box Office

Gross:

$32,700,000 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Fred Wolf worked on the screenplay uncredited.

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Goofs

Towards the end, when Michelle and Richard point out that Beverly and Paul Barish were married and that her marriage to Tommy's dad was illegal, Beverly would have been just as guilty as Paul for the fraud and attempted swindle, and would not have been able to walk away Scot free with Mr. Zalinsky; both Beverly and Paul were accessories to the same crime.

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Quotes

[Richard knocks on the door impersonating the maid while Tommy tries to sleep]
Richard Hayden: Housekeeping. You want mint for pillow?
Tommy: Please go away let me sleep, *for the love of God.*
Richard Hayden: Housekeeping. You want me to jerk you off?
Tommy: What kind of hotel is this?
[opens door]
Tommy: Who the hell are... Oh, it's you.
Richard Hayden: Good morning, sunshine.

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Connections

Referenced in The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: David Spade/Tom Papa/Plain White T's/'The Voice' Finalists (2011)

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Soundtracks

"The Merry Go Round Broke Down"
By Cliff Friend and Dave Franklin

User Reviews

One of the best comedies of the '90's

I saw this film knowing absolutely nothing about both it and its stars, Chris Farley and David Spade, and I have to say that this film is a comic classic. It is so stupid at times that it can only be hilarious. Farley is brilliant as the bumbling idiot who takes to the road with his dad's right hand man (the equally excellent Spade) to find the funding to save the families 'auto parts' business. Relax, put your brain on auto-pilot and soak up the fun. A great supporting cast features film favourites such as Brian Dennehy (Cocoon), Rob Lowe (Wayne's World) and Bo Derek ("10"). Highly recommended for a good laugh.