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

The cake on Mrs. Dubrow's gown changes between shots.

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Quotes

La Farge: When I was in the sewer once, I saw a turtle that was so big it looked like a Volkswagen with a tail.

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Connections

Featured in The Nostalgia Critic: Dunston Checks In (2012)

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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

Dunaway Checks In!

This film is obviously never going to be a monumental classic for all time, but it's quite underrated just the same. The story is simple. A four star hotel (run by Alexander, who lives there with his two sons) is up for a prestigious fifth star in the ratings guide when a jewel thief comes to visit, utilizing an orangutan as his accomplice. The fire-breathing owner turns on the heat to succeed while all hell breaks loose thanks to the primate. There seems to be something for everyone in it. The film begins with a lot of class as the various accoutrements of the hotel are featured. Kids should adore the orangutan "Dunston" and be able to identify with young Lloyd as his pal. Seinfeld fans should enjoy watching Alexander face all sorts of turmoil and hubbub as the harried hotel manager. Everett is comic in a grand, old-style sort of way with wrinkles, false teeth and a very threatening cane. There are a number of very talented supporting players who add to the comedic flair of the movie (Shadix, Bassey.) Even former "Pee Wee" Reubens has a cameo as a very aggressive exterminator. The end-all, be-all, though, is Dunaway. As the Leona Helmsley-esque, ultra-demanding, hyper-glamorous hotel owner, she walks off with the film and shows a rare funny side. It's not every day you see Dunaway with pink cake and icing all over her face. She cuts loose with a game, vivid, aware comedic performance which echoes all the neurotic, bitchy roles she used to play, but gave up after the stigma of "Mommie Dearest" wouldn't wear off. Somehow this missed at the box office, but it is perfect family entertainment for home video.