Tribute (1980)

A shallow Broadway press agent learns he is dying just as his son by his ex-wife arrives for a visit.

Director:

Bob Clark

Writers:

Bernard Slade (play), Bernard Slade (screenplay)

Stars:

Jack Lemmon, Robby Benson, Lee Remick

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 2 wins & 13 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jack Lemmon	...	Scottie Templeton
Robby Benson	...	Jud Templeton
Lee Remick	...	Maggie Stratton
Colleen Dewhurst	...	Gladys Petrelli
John Marley	...	Lou Daniels
Kim Cattrall	...	Sally Haines
Gale Garnett	...	Hilary
Teri Keane	...	Evelyn
Rummy Bishop	...	Poker Player
John Dee	...	Poker Player
Bob Windsor	...	Poker Player
Eileen Lehman	...	Nurse
Andrew Foot	...	Actor
Trevor Daley	...	Cop
Sid Smith	...	Stage Hand

Storyline

A shallow Broadway press agent learns he is dying just as his son by his ex-wife arrives for a visit.

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Plot Keywords:

dying | agent | nurse costume | breast flashing | female nudity | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 December 1980 (USA)

Also Known As:

Tributo

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$8,400,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Tiberius Film Productions, Turman-Foster Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

121 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Prior to the film's source play opening on Broadway, playwright Bernard Slade and producer Morton Gottlieb sold the film rights to the Paramount Pictures studio for more than US $1 million. On the play's big opening night party at Tavern on the Green, Gottlieb gave payment in full checks to investors without even having to rely on monies from the film sale.

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Quotes

Jud Templeton: Tell me something; does it ever bother you that you have nothing that you can point to with any pride?
Scottie Templeton: Well, I'd always rather hoped that it would be you.

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Connections

Featured in AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Jack Lemmon (1988)

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Soundtracks

It's All For the Best
Written by Jack Lemmon & Alan Jay Lerner

User Reviews

Originated on Broadway

Jack Lemmon played the part of Scottie Templeton in 1978 on Broadway for 212 performances. I was lucky to be there and be part of a remarkable performance. The audience was actually part of the tribute as guests and I think maybe some of that was lost in the film. All were in tears at the end and became friends of Lemmon. I also think some of the "Broadway" acting transferred to the screen and may have made it look robotic. I enjoyed the film but it may have been because I was I was a part of that private party years earlier. There were many surprises in the play that were lost in the film. There were 2 memorable moments for me. As I was sitting in the 3rd row, Lemmon recognized his nurse's voice as a former stripper, and verified it when she ripped open her uniform to reveal her memorable breasts. I often use the line "You say potato and I say potato" (no difference in the pronunciation) which Lemmon delivered hilariously.

Harry