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.
- Awards
- 1 win & 3 nominations
- Lyle Parks
- (as James McMullan)
- Sidney
- (as Richard A. Baker)
- Director
- Writers
- 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 honey 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 and a glass breaking in the next room]
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 (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.
Instead of Grant Williams, here we have Lily Tomlin as everyday housewife slaving for her family and shrinking away, to the delight of media hungry for sensations. Besides being more or less ignored by her family, used that Tomlin simply have to take care of them, she has other serious threats that don't involve cats and spiders but something far more dangerous - humans. Along with quite inane plot, everything is exaggerated: this is not a kind, loving family but a bunch of spoiled brats throwing tantrums, husband and his colleagues are more concerned with profit, Mexican maid is non stop dancing and even neighbors are more concerned about giving interviews than actually giving Tomlin support. Any normal person would pack her bags long ago and run away, but Tomlin - being good wife and self-sacrificing mother - totters on, even as her steps became smaller and smaller. It sounded as a good idea on the paper but is not really funny, perhaps because main character is simply not likable enough - Tomlin is great comedian when given chance to be wicked but as a perpetually serving housewife she is simply annoying (only once, she appears as rude telephone operator "Ernestine" and that minute lightens up the screen). Perhaps great fun for teenagers who delight in obvious jokes but not particularly involving as movie experience and sadly, very far from thrill of 1957. original.
- lampic
- Jul 31, 2015
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official sites
- Language
- Also known as
- Die unglaubliche Geschichte der Mrs. K.
- Filming locations
- 2245 Yosemite Dr, Los Angeles, California, USA(grocery store)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $10,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $20,259,961
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $4,279,264
- Feb 1, 1981
- Gross worldwide
- $20,259,961
- Runtime1 hour 28 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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