Author! Author! (1982)

While facing the stress of his play being produced on Broadway, a playwright deals with having to raise his son, his stepdaughters, and his stepsons.

Director:

Arthur Hiller

Writer:

Israel Horovitz

Stars:

Al Pacino, Dyan Cannon, Tuesday Weld

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Al Pacino	...	Ivan Travalian
Dyan Cannon	...	Alice Detroit
Tuesday Weld	...	Gloria Travalian
Bob Dishy	...	Morris Finestein
Bob Elliott	...	Patrick Dicker
Ray Goulding	...	Jackie Dicker
Eric Gurry	...	Igor
Elva Josephson	...	Bonnie (as Elva Leff)
B.J. Barie	...	Spike
Ari Meyers	...	Debbie
Benjamin H. Carlin	...	Geraldo
Alan King	...	Kreplich
Ken Sylk	...	Roger Slessinger
James Tolkan	...	Lt. Glass
Tony Munafo	...	Officer Kapinsky

Storyline

Playwright Travalian feels pulled limb from limb these days. He has a Broadway play in rehearsal and they want rewrites. His tramp wife is leaving him, leaving him as well with four children from her previous marriages plus his own son. And his lead actress wants to move in with him but isn't used to kids.

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Plot Keywords:

exclamation point in title | marital separation | rooftop | male protagonist | playwright | 

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Taglines:

Anyone can be a father. But not every father deserves a standing ovation.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Family | Romance

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

According to 'The New York Times', "The impetus for Author! Author! (1982) came out of a discussion the writer [Israel Horovitz] had with his three children".

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Goofs

When Ivan and Alice meet at the plaza, Alice has 3 glasses of champagne and 3 aspirin in front of her, which she sips from and swallows during the conversation. She takes more than 3 aspirin, although 3 are clearly shown. And the liquid levels in the champagne glasses change from shot to shot.

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Quotes

Gloria Travalian: You're at the goddamn typewriter 14 hours a day...
Ivan: I'M AT THE GODDAMN TYPEWRITER, GLORIA... BECAUSE I'M A GODDAMN WRITER, GLORIA!

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Alternate Versions

The 2005 Region 2 DVD, and the 2007 Region 1 DVD, which were both released by Fox Video, contains the following changes: Alternate opening title credits (white titles over black background). No title credit to both the song 'Coming Home To You' and the song's vocalist and writers (Michael Franks, Alan and Marilyn Bergman). Johnny Mandel credited as the film's composer. Film ending with Ivan and the kids at the newstand. Previous video releases by 20th Century Fox Video, CBS/Fox Video, and Fox Video contains the opening credits in white text playing over the NYC skyline backdrop to the set in the playhouse, a title credit to both the song Coming Home To You, and its vocalist and writers (Michael Franks, Alan and Marilyn Bergman), David Grusin credited as the film's composer, and the film ending with the kids celebrating Ivan's success by pouring champagne and cake on him while he is in bed. David Grusin was hired to rescore Johnny Mandel's original score. David Grusin's score is heard in the final film.

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Connections

Featured in Biography: Al Pacino: Inside Out (2001)

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Soundtracks

Comin' Home To You
Music by Dave Grusin
Lyrics by Alan Bergman and Marilyn Bergman
Performed by Michael Franks

User Reviews

very kind movie

I've seen this movie before, quite a long time ago, and I liked it a lot. Having just seen it for the second time, I'm under the same impression. The movie is very funny and lighthearted, really kind. The script is smart, the performances by Pacino and kids are great. The film is a pleasure to watch, it puts you in a good mood. I think the film was underestimated by viewers, I put it 4 out of 4!

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 June 1982 (USA)

Also Known As:

Author! Author!

Filming Locations:

Kaufman Astoria Studios - 3412 36th Street, Astoria, Queens, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$2,279,260, 20 June 1982

Gross USA:

$13,111,101

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$13,111,101

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1