The Main Event (1979)

A bankrupt entrepreneur attempts to recoup some of her losses by getting a washed-out boxer she picked up as a tax loss back into the ring - an idea her protégé isn't fond of.

Director:

Howard Zieff

Writers:

Gail Parent, Andrew Smith

Stars:

Barbra Streisand, Ryan O'Neal, Paul Sand

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 4 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Barbra Streisand	...	Hillary Kramer
Ryan O'Neal	...	Eddie 'Kid Natural' Scanlon
Paul Sand	...	David
Whitman Mayo	...	Percy
Patti D'Arbanville	...	Donna
Chu Chu Malave	...	Luis
Richard Lawson	...	Hector Mantilla
James Gregory	...	Gough
Richard Altman	...	Tour Guide
Seth Banks	...	Newsman
Lindsay Bloom	...	Girl In Bed
Earl Boen	...	Nose - Kline
Roger Bowen	...	Owner Sinthia Cosmetics
Badja Djola	...	Heavyweight In Gym (as Badja Medu Djola)
Rory Calhoun	...	Fighter In Kid's Camp

Storyline

Hillary Kramer, successful Perfume magnate awakes one morning to find that her accountant has robbed her blind and left for South America. Going through all of her remaining assets she finds a boxer, purchased as a tax write off. She decides to take Kid Natural, (Eddie Scanlon) who is much more at home giving driving lessons, into the ring and use him as her key to riches. Eddie thinks this will only get him killed and resists.

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Plot Keywords:

perfume | boxer | accountant | opposites attract | star | 

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Taglines:

A Glove Story

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance | Sport

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

Diana Ross was the original intended star. According to a Barbra Streisand biography, Ross left the project after her brief affair with Ryan O'Neal turned sour.

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Goofs

When Hillary and Kid are fighting in the ring at the end of the film, Kid calls Hillary, "Judy". Judy was Barbra Streisand's character's name in the last film that she and Ryan O'Neal did together, What's Up, Doc?.

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Quotes

Percy: Man, you is the dumbest white guy I know.

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Connections

Referenced in Joel King: Man with a Camera (2015)

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Soundtracks

The Body Shop
Georg Michalski (as Michalski) & Oosterveen
Written by Georg Michalski (uncredited) and Niki Oosterveen (uncredited)

User Reviews

funny

it is not impressive, interesting or remarkable. it is just a nice comedy who has in lead characters good actors far to give the role of their life. it is funny , with few crazy amusing scenes, almost fake but a not wrong choice for entertainment. so, not great expectations. in same measure, it has, in little measure, the flavor of old situation comedies and this fact saves the construction. a film like a childish game, it is inspired occasion to reflect to serious roles of Streisand and O Neal and to laugh at absurd parts. is it enough ? maybe not. but if you are disappointed, it is only your guilty. because The Main Event can be only funny. not serious, not important, only a childish game.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 June 1979 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Main Event

Filming Locations:

Big Bear Valley, San Bernardino National Forest, California, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$42,800,000

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$42,800,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

First Artists, Barwood Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

112 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1