A housewife grows smaller and smaller in reaction to chemicals found in cosmetics and household products.A housewife grows smaller and smaller in reaction to chemicals found in cosmetics and household products.A housewife grows smaller and smaller in reaction to chemicals found in cosmetics and household products.
- Richard Matheson(novel "The Shrinking Man")
- Jane Wagner
- Stars
- Richard Matheson(novel "The Shrinking Man")
- Jane Wagner
- Stars
- Lyle Parks
- (as James McMullan)
- Sidney
- (as Richard A. Baker)
- Richard Matheson(novel "The Shrinking Man")
- Jane Wagner
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaDebut theatrical feature film directed by Joel Schumacher. In his his 2002 autobiography "I Like it Better when You're Funny",Charles Grodin recounts Shumacher once saying "I'm giving directions to Lily Tomlin and Charles Grodin, and they're listening to me!"
- GoofsWhen the Kramers leave the clinic after being told the diagnosis, Pat is wearing a light blue double-breasted blazer over a peach dress, both of which are too large for her. Later in the movie, one of the female newscasters is shown on television wearing the exact same outfit.
- Quotes
Pat Kramer: The Strange, almost stranger than strange. Unbelievable story of, Pat Kramer is the one that must be told. I know because unfortunately, I am Pat Kramer.
[rewinds tape recorder, and puts it on play]
Pat Kramer: [Tape Recorder] The strange, almost stranger than strange...
[stops tape recorder]
Jeff Kramer: Hey, Mom!
Pat Kramer: I'm busy, Jeff!
Jeff Kramer: Mom, it's an emergency!
Pat Kramer: Honey, what is it? Jeff, what is it?
Jeff Kramer: [Jeff and friends taking pictures of Pat, in front of her doll house] Say Cheese! Make believe, there's a birdie there, pose!
Pat Kramer: Jeff, go to your room right now. And the rest of you, off the furniture!
[Slams Door]
Pat Kramer: And what are you grinning at you big creep?
[smacks the Stan doll, to the floor]
Pat Kramer: Now, I am really mad.
Beth Kramer: I'm taking mom, to show and tell.
Jeff Kramer: You are not! she's comin' with me! she's gonna do A LITTLE BAR OF SOAP, and that's final!
Pat Kramer: I am mad, I want everybody out of here right now.
- Alternate versionsWhen ABC broadcast the film in 1983, there are scenes that were not in the theatrical cut: Dr. Ruth, communicating with patients, on monitors. During these scenes, Pat was finding ways to get out of her cage. Also, this scene includes Lily Tomlin's role as Edith Ann (Little Girl, which she played on her Broadway shows). Finally, Pat Kramer tries to reach the switches, to turn on the monitor but, she turned it on with her foot.
The film tries, but the message just isn't as sharp as we'd hope. Many characters also spend the majority of their screen time shouting and acting zany, and this doesn't help. Satire sometimes slips into madcap comedy when the director (this time Joel Schumacher) doesn't keep a tight enough hold on things. And I don't think I can buy this premise on an idealistic level. How does an increased variety of consumer goods diminish the role of a housewife? I think it might do just the opposite. She may now be empowered to find just the right things her family needs. Now I do certainly get the part about the Hispanic housekeeper taking over the role of mother. You look at this house, and it clearly doesn't seem big enough to need a housekeeper if the wife has no job. Was this a swipe at Californians who think having a maid/housekeeper is some sort of status symbol especially if they don't need one? Perhaps. Anyway, the film is loud and the production VERY much a sign of the early 1980s. Charles Grodin and Ned Beatty provide their usual solid support, and Tomlin does her best in multiple roles. The film just doesn't get its point across, and maybe it doesn't have a very good point to make in the first place. 5 of 10 stars.
The Hound.
- TOMASBBloodhound
- Oct 30, 2011
IMDb Best of 2022
IMDb Best of 2022
Details
Box office
- 1 hour 28 minutes
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