That Thing You Do! (1996)

A Pennsylvania band scores a hit in 1964 and rides the star-making machinery as long as it can, with lots of help from its manager.

Director:

Tom Hanks

Writer:

Tom Hanks

Stars:

Tom Everett Scott, Liv Tyler, Tom Hanks

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 3 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tom Everett Scott	...	Guy Patterson
Liv Tyler	...	Faye Dolan
Johnathon Schaech	...	Jimmy Mattingly
Steve Zahn	...	Lenny Haise
Ethan Embry	...	T. B. Player
Tom Hanks	...	Mr. White
Charlize Theron	...	Tina
Obba Babatundé	...	Lamarr
Giovanni Ribisi	...	Chad
Chris Ellis	...	Phil Horace
Alex Rocco	...	Sol Siler
Bill Cobbs	...	Del Paxton
Peter Scolari	...	Troy Chesterfield
Rita Wilson	...	Marguerite
Chris Isaak	...	Uncle Bob

Storyline

Recounts a fable of a pop rock band formed a year after the Beatles took America by storm in early 1964. Jazz aficionado Guy Patterson, unhappily toiling in the family appliance store, is recruited into the band the Oneders (later renamed the Wonders) after regular drummer Chad breaks his arm. After Guy injects a four/four rock beat into lead singer Jimmy's ballad, the song's undeniable pop power flings the Wonders into a brief whirlwind of success, telling the tale of many American bands who attempted to grab the brass ring of rock and roll in the wake of the British Invasion.

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Plot Keywords:

band | pennsylvania | song | appliance store | jazz | 

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Taglines:

In every life there comes a time when that dream you dream becomes that thing you do.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Music

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for some language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 October 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

¡Eso que tú haces!

Filming Locations:

490 Prospect Boulevard, Pasadena, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$26,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

ITL 107,230,000 (Italy) (30 May 1997)

Gross:

ITL 187,396,000 (Italy) (6 June 1997)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Clavius Base, Clinica Estetico, Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

108 min 149 min (Director's cut)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital SDDS DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Mr. White's (Tom Hanks) first name is 'Andy'. (revealed only once; when Play Tone President, Sol Siler, (Alex Rocco) is interrupted by Jimmy (Johnathon Schaech) while Sol stuffs himself with a deli sandwich and angrily retorts: "ANDY, What in the bloody hell is this? Auditions during my lunchtime?..."; at that point, Mr White pulls Jimmy away.) (Andy is also the name of the boy in 'Toy Story' whose favorite toy is "Woody", voiced by Tom Hanks.)

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Goofs

When Villapiano pays Lennie for the night, the "bonus" (in $5 bills) disappears from the top of the bar on Lennie's close ups.

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Quotes

Mr. White: I don't want any of this lover's lament crap. I want something peppy, something happy, something up-tempo. I want something snappy.
Jimmy: [smiles and sings] I... I quit... I quit... I quit...
[speaks seriously]
Jimmy: I quit, Mr. White.

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Crazy Credits

Goofy is listed as "Himself"

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Connections

Spoofs Hairspray (1988)

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Soundtracks

"Back Together"
Written by Adam Schlesinger

User Reviews

A Cathartic Release

If you have ever been in a band and dreamed of getting out of the garage and onto a stage,then this movie is definitely for you! No matter when you had this dream,you'll experience all the pleasures and joys of being a musician,,,and of course all the downfalls.Yes,it is from a time that won't return,when the music business wasn't such a meat parade and had to do with eager talent.That was then and this is now. Still the characters represent the different types you'll come across,the egos, the clowns and the luck of being at the right place at the right time.At this point in time,it is also interesting to see how the cast members have gone on to other projects,the most recent being Liv Tyler in LOTR,Giovanni Ribisi in COLD MOUNTAIN,Thom Everett Scot in ER and I think that Hanks fellow has been around doing this and that.