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

Bob Elliott: As Patrick Dickler. Elliott teamed with regular comic partner Ray Goulding for a 'Bob and Ray' cameo.

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Goofs

In the theater scene immediately following meeting with Alice, Ivan sports an entirely new hair do. The play's director acknowledges it. Then the very next scene has Ivan exiting the subway station with his old hair do.

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Quotes

Gloria Travalian: Larry is a wonderful man.
Ivan: I'm thrilled to hear this.
Gloria Travalian: Larry is a wonderful man, but he's not you.
Ivan: That's what I figured when he scratched his leg and I felt nothing. 'This man is not me.'
Gloria Travalian: [Snobs] How can you joke at a time like this?
Ivan: I joke, You snob. What difference does it make? We're both miserable.

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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

References Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore (1974)

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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

Al Pacino can do comedy after all

Taking a break from his serious roles, Al Pacino stars in this light comedy as playwright Ivan Travalian, trying to cope with putting on a play while raising his children and his son's friend. In a way, "Author! Author!" seems like the sort of movie that they just made for fun, but it's an interesting look at the vicissitudes of that particular lifestyle. It's not a masterpiece by any stretch (certainly not Pacino's best), but still worth seeing, if only to see the man known as Michael Corleone and Tony Montana doing comedy - although I doubt that you'll shout the title when the movie ends. Also starring Dyan Cannon, Tuesday Weld and Alan King.

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