Dunston Checks In (1996)

Young boy befriends larcenous orangutan in luxury hotel.

Director:

Ken Kwapis

Writers:

John Hopkins (story), John Hopkins (screenplay),

Stars:

Jason Alexander, Faye Dunaway, Eric Lloyd

3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jason Alexander	...	Robert Grant
Faye Dunaway	...	Mrs. Dubrow
Eric Lloyd	...	Kyle Grant
Rupert Everett	...	Lord Rutledge
Graham Sack	...	Brian Grant
Paul Reubens	...	Buck LaFarge
Glenn Shadix	...	Lionel Spalding
Nathan Davis	...	Victor Dubrow
Jennifer Bassey	...	Mrs. Dellacroce
Judith Scott	...	Nancy
Bruce Beatty	...	Murray
Danny Comden	...	Norm
Steven Gilborn	...	Artie
Lois De Banzie	...	Mrs. Winthrop
Natalie Core	...	Mrs. Feldman

Storyline

Robert's a beleaguered concierge of the luxury hotel owned by Mrs. Dubrow. She tells Robert an undercover reviewer is coming and to look sharp. If he does well he might get a promotion and some time off to take his sons, Brian and Kyle, on vacation. But then the villainous jewel-thief Rutledge checks in with his specially trained orangutan, Dunston. And when Dunston gets loose and tries to escape a life of crime with the help of Brian and Kyle, things go just a little lunatic.

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Plot Keywords:

hotel | orangutan | boy | father son relationship | karate | 

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Taglines:

He's about to turn a Five Star Hotel into a three ring circus.

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Genres:

Comedy | Adventure | Family

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for some mild language and sensuality

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English French

Release Date:

12 January 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

Apestreker

Box Office

Gross:

£802,390 (UK) (19 April 1996)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Joe Wizan/Todd Black, Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

88 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Some of the interior New York hotel scenes were filmed in Los Angeles at the old Bullocks Wilshire Building, which is no longer open. Others were also filmed at the Dorchester Hotel in London.

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Goofs

When Lionel gets his glasses off the cucumber woman's chest he is holding the end of them. When the camera changes he is not touching the glasses at all. When it goes back to the first camera he is touching them again.

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Quotes

Kyle: Dad! There's a gorilla in the bathroom!
Robert: Kyle, there is no gorilla in the bathroom.
Kyle: But, Dad...
Robert: Go back to sleep.

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Connections

Referenced in Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude (2004)

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Soundtracks

"Have Fun, Go Mad!"
Written by Blair Mackichan and Phil Taylor
Performed by Blair
Courtesy of Mercury Records, Ltd. (London)
by arrangement with PolyGram Film & TV Licensing

User Reviews

A Pleasant Surprise, Especially Dunaway

This was surprisingly entertaining and with a few minor exceptions, very inoffensive family fare. It's another one of those adults-and-kids can enjoy flicks with a number of lines that border on being too much for kids but are still tame for adults - close, but safe. There are also some funny special effects and some good slapstick humor.

Being basically a kids' film, the main child, played by Eric Lloyd is cute but a little too spoiled for me but he's tolerable, as is his brother. Jason Alexander is the father, a very likable subdued guy but a little too lenient.

The real surprise in this cast is Faye Dunaway. Usually playing hard-edged types, she is the opposite in here which is kind of refreshing to see. She shows a nice comedic touch. The chimpanzee is probably the most entertaining, which is the idea, but so is the villain played by Rupert Evert. In other words, there are a lot of likable characters in this movie.

This a "sleeper:" an underrated film that a lot of people would enjoy. I'm sorry it never got much "press."