The Boys Next Door (1996) (TV)

Director:

John Erman

Writers (WGA):

Tom Griffin (play)
William Blinn (teleplay)

Release Date:

4 February 1996 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

Sometimes being a little different means being a lot more wonderful.

Plot:

Jack Palmer is a social worker whose job has taken precedence over his personal life. Mainly, his job...

Plot Keywords:

Social Worker | Donut | Golf | Testify | Spider-Man

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys. Another 2 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

Nathan Lane	...	Norman Bulansky
Robert Sean Leonard	...	Barry Klemper
Tony Goldwyn	...	Jack Palmer
Michael Jeter	...	Arnold Wiggins
Courtney B. Vance	...	Lucien P. Singer
Mare Winningham	...	Sheila
Elizabeth Wilson	...	Mary Fremus
Richard Jenkins	...	Bob Klemper
Lynne Thigpen	...	Mrs. Tracy
Caroline Aaron	...	Mrs. Warren
Michael Hogan	...	Dr. Racine
Laura Bertram	...	Cashier
Martha Burns
George R. Robertson	...	Senator Warren Clarke
Jenny Robertson	...	Rena Palmer

Directed by
John Erman

Writing credits (WGA)
Tom Griffin		(play)
William Blinn		(teleplay)

Produced by
Christopher Cook	....	co-producer
John Erman	....	producer
Brent Shields	....	co-executive producer
Richard Welsh	....	executive producer

Original Music by
John Kander

Cinematography by
Frank Tidy

Film Editing by
John W. Wheeler

Casting by
Olivia Harris
Phyllis Huffman

Production Design by
Karen Bromley

Set Decoration by
Jaro Dick

Costume Design by
Arthur Rowsell

Makeup Department
Patricia Green	....	makeup artist
Jennifer Bower O'Halloran	....	hair stylist

Production Management
David Coatsworth	....	unit production manager
Joseph M. Ellis	....	unit production manager
Karen Mayeda Vranek	....	post-production supervisor

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
David Coombs	....	second assistant director
Donald P.H. Eaton	....	first assistant director

Art Department
Tory Bellingham	....	property master
Henry Ilola	....	construction coordinator
Caroline George-Kohne	....	set decoration buyer (uncredited)

Sound Department
Bruce Carwardine	....	sound mixer
David E. Fluhr	....	sound re-recording mixer
Stephen Grubbs	....	supervising sound editor
Randal S. Thomas	....	dialogue editor
Skip Adams	....	sound editor (uncredited)
John Asman	....	sound re-recording mixer (uncredited)
Peter Melnychuk	....	boom operator (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Wayne Goodchild	....	key grip
Chris Holmes	....	gaffer
Bob Greene	....	still photographer (uncredited)
Andy Langevin	....	best boy (uncredited)
Tim Merkel	....	Steadicam operator (uncredited)

Casting Department
Susan Forrest	....	casting: Toronto

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Georgina Yarhi	....	key costume supervisor (uncredited)

Editorial Department
Tim Board	....	assistant editor
Kurt Moritz	....	post-production coordinator (uncredited)

Music Department
Michael Gibson	....	orchestrator
Dan Lieberstein	....	music editor

Transportation Department
Neil Montgomerie	....	transportation coordinator

Other crew
Sue Bugden	....	production associate
Martha Chisholm	....	assistant: Mr. Erman
Fred Kamping	....	location manager
Robin Sarafinchan	....	production coordinator
Albert Stephenson	....	choreographer
Kathleen M. Straub	....	production executive (as Kathleen Straub)
Mimi Wolch	....	script supervisor
Sara Holmes	....	first assistant accountant (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions

Distributors

• Betta Entertainment (Brazil) (VHS)
• Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) (1996) (USA) (TV) (original airing)
• Hallmark Home Entertainment

Also Known As:

"Hallmark Hall of Fame: The Boys Next Door (#45.2)" - USA (anthology series)

MPAA:

Rated PG for thematic elements

Runtime:

100 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Company:

Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions

Trivia:

In the original stage show, Lucien's last name was "Smith" and not "Singer".

Quotes:

Sheila:Norman, guess what?
Norman Bulansky:What?
Sheila:I'm a orchid.
Norman Bulansky:Not me.
Sheila:Norman, what flower are you?
Norman Bulansky:An apple donut with raisins.
Sheila:That's nice. I'm a orchid.
[pause]
Sheila:Norman, can I have your keys?
Norman Bulansky:Oh boy, Sheila, I need my keys.
[...]

Movie Connections:

Edited into "Hallmark Hall of Fame" (1951)

The BEST movie!

When neighbors and friends asked my parents what I wanted for my birthday, my Mother simply informed them "If it's a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie, she'll love it!" I only received one HHoF movie, and that was "The Boys Next Door." I had never heard of or seen this film anywhere before. After I got home I immediately popped in in my DVD player and I haven't gone a day without seeing it since!

Robert Sean Leonard, Michael Jeter, Courtney B. Vance, and Nathan Lane are the "The Boys Next Door." 4 mentally challenged men who, together, make you laugh, cry, scratch your head,scream....you feel every emotion with these guys around. Lucian P. Singer, aka Courtney B. Vance, and Norman Bulanski, aka Nathan Lane, are developmentally challenged. Norman has an obsession with Donuts and keys. Look out! He also has a big crush on developmentally challenged Sheila, portrayed beautifully by Mare Winningham. Arnold Wiggins, aka Michael Jeter, is manic depressive and has recently purchased 9 boxes of Wheaties, 7 heads of lettuce and a bag of Charcol Biqquets, which come in and out of the story the whole length of the film. And then there's Barry. Barry Klempur is schizophrenic (however you spell it!) and has himself convinced he's a golf pro. He has had a rough relationship with him family and when he learns his father is coming to visit him for the first time in ages, it sends him into a tailspin. Tony Goldywn is Jack, their social worker and best friend. He is their solid rock, their lighthouse in the storm, their....you get the point. Without Jack, their world would fall to pieces.

And he knows it too. Jack is feeling guilty about leaving his wife out of his life, which is made up of these 4 guys, and is strongly considering taking a different job, car leasing. It all begins to go down hill when Jack springs the news on his boys. They don't think of themselves as his "job." Who wants to be thought of as a "JOB?" "You tell the good news, you announce the bad stuff," as Barry tells Lucian, moments before Jack's "big announcement." Shortly after Jack's telling them, Barry's father arrives, which, in turn, puts Barry on the 6th floor.

The remaining "Boys Next Door," throw Jack a big surprise party. Jack swings by the hospital and picks up a still shaken Barry and takes him to the house. Arnold has decorated the house with ANYTHING he could find, and bought animal puppets so you are "now 3 guests at a party instead of one!" Everything goes well until Jack tries to explain he's not going to be around anymore. Barry blurts it out "He's leaving you forever! He's leaving me and not coming back!" The guys start crying and Barry walks out. Arnold rounds the boys up and tells them that they're taking the train to Russia! Jack can't stand for this....I've said too much. You'll just have to watch to find out the rest.

I adore "The Boys Next Door." I recommend this movie to anyone and everyone! WATCH IT! 5 stars all the way!