The Last Tycoon (1976)

F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel is brought to life in this story of a movie producer slowly working himself to death.

Director:

Elia Kazan

Writers:

F. Scott Fitzgerald (novel), Harold Pinter (screenplay)

Stars:

Robert De Niro, Tony Curtis, Robert Mitchum

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 2 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robert De Niro	...	Monroe Stahr
Tony Curtis	...	Rodriguez
Robert Mitchum	...	Pat Brady
Jeanne Moreau	...	Didi
Jack Nicholson	...	Brimmer
Donald Pleasence	...	Boxley
Ray Milland	...	Fleishacker
Dana Andrews	...	Red Ridingwood
Ingrid Boulting	...	Kathleen Moore
Peter Strauss	...	Wylie
Theresa Russell	...	Cecilia Brady
Tige Andrews	...	Popolos
Morgan Farley	...	Marcus
John Carradine	...	Tour Guide
Jeff Corey	...	Doctor

Storyline

Young film producer, Monroe Stahr, is a rising star in 1930's Hollywood due to his ability to get anything he envisions done even if it means breaking a few rules. The latest film he's working on stars two popular actors, Rodriguez and Didi, and everyone is sure it'll be a smashing hit when it's done. The times are changing however, since the first guilds and unions are being formed in Hollywood, but Stahr is still sticking to his old ways of doing things in spite of that. His main opponent becomes a union organizer, Brimmer, but Stahr finds ways to deal with him as well. However, in his hubris, Stahr crosses one red line too many when he falls for a young troubled engaged woman called Kathleen Moore and neglects Cecilia Brady, the young daughter of studio executive and Stahr's boss, Pat Brady. Pat becomes furious over this as well as Stahr's other misbehavings and makes it his mission to take Stahr down. Due to all the pressure, Stahr's health starts failing as well. The film is ...

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Plot Keywords:

engaged woman | m g m | famous actress | failing health | screen writers guild | 

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Taglines:

He has the power to make anyone's dream come true... except his own.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 November 1976 (USA)

Also Known As:

Der letzte Tycoon

Filming Locations:

Paradise Cove - 28128 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$5,500,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$1,819,912

Company Credits

Production Co:

Academy Pictures Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

123 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Paul Newman turned down the role of Monroe Stahr.

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Goofs

When Robert De Nero as Stahr enters his residence for the first time, he refers to his Butler as "Kino", which is the actor's real last name.

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Quotes

Seal Trainer: [about the seal] See? He remembers you.
Monroe Stahr: This seal has the memory of an elephant.
Seal Trainer: He likes him because he's such a charming guy.
Kathleen Moore: Does he respond to affection?
Seal Trainer: He responds to *fish*. This seal's got taste.

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Connections

References Casablanca (1942)

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Soundtracks

My Silent Love
Music by Dana Suesse
Lyrics by Edward Heyman

User Reviews

frustrating but valuable

After reading the book (and Fitzgerald's notes about how he saw the story progressing) I expected high quality from Kazan's film treatment. Much has been made of his decision to have an almost comatose Monroe Stahr, unable to express emotion on anything but movies, and in this I think he partly succeeded. But the film as a whole irritates me. It's one I've gone back to several times and I can't work out why it has that effect. It just does. In relation to the book, some scenes are pretty much verbatim, some are added to, some are ditched altogether, there just seems no reasoning behind it. The plusses - it has an interesting ending and an equally interesting supporting cast of old timers, most of whom are always worth watching. It has a certain amount of style and character of its own. It's just not that easy to enjoy, IMO.