Tootsie (1982)

Michael Dorsey, an unsuccessful actor, disguises himself as a woman in order to get a role on a trashy hospital soap.

Director:

Sydney Pollack

Writers:

Don McGuire (story by), Larry Gelbart (story by)

Stars:

Dustin Hoffman, Jessica Lange, Teri Garr

Won 1 Oscar. Another 24 wins & 30 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Dustin Hoffman	...	Michael Dorsey / Dorothy Michaels
Jessica Lange	...	Julie
Teri Garr	...	Sandy
Dabney Coleman	...	Ron
Charles Durning	...	Les
Bill Murray	...	Jeff
Sydney Pollack	...	George Fields
George Gaynes	...	John Van Horn
Geena Davis	...	April
Doris Belack	...	Rita
Ellen Foley	...	Jacqui
Peter Gatto	...	Rick
Lynne Thigpen	...	Jo
Ronald L. Schwary	...	Phil Weintraub
Debra Mooney	...	Mrs. Mallory

Storyline

Michael Dorsey is an unemployed actor with an impossible reputation. In order to find work and fund his friend's play he dresses as a woman, Dorothy Michaels, and lands the part in a daytime drama. Dorsey loses himself in this woman role and essentially becomes Dorothy Michaels, captivating women all around the city and inspiring them to break free from the control of men and become more like Dorsey's initial identity. This newfound role, however, lands Dorsey in a hot spot between a female friend/'lover,' a female co-star he falls in love with, that co-star's father who falls in love with him, and a male co-star who yearns for his affection.

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Plot Keywords:

reputation | girl in panties | panties | unexpected kiss | lesbian | 

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Taglines:

He's Tootsie... She's Dustin Hoffman

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

Although many of his other female co-stars over the years (including Meryl Streep and Graduate co-star Katherine Ross) complained about Hoffman's behavior during his movies (and plays), none of the women associated with this production (Jessica Lange, Geena Davis, Terri Garr) had anything but praise for him. Ironically, Streep, who complained about Hoffman slapping her during Kramer Vs. Kramer, wound up being a consultant for Hoffman behind the scenes in this movie and helped craft the Dorothy Michaels character. Hoffman said it was a mixture of women he knew and Blanche Dubois from Street Named Desire (hence the southern accent).

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Goofs

When Dorothy is in Julie's flat trying to calm the wailing child by holding her in his arms and running around in circles, the baby actually isn't crying at all.

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Quotes

Jeff: That is one *nutty* hospital.

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Crazy Credits

Dustin Hoffman is credited twice: Dustin Hoffman .... Michael Dorsey Dustin Hoffman .... Dorothy Michaels

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Alternate Versions

"Tootsie" was cut in the UK to remove one line of dialogue with the F word to receive a 'PG'. At that time there was no '12'certificate so uncut it would have got a '15'. For video it was classified '15' uncut. Since then the video has not be re-submitted for re-classification as a '12' so still carries a 30 year old '15' certificate with its 2016 Criterion release.

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Connections

Referenced in Cougar Town: I Won't Back Down (2009)

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Soundtracks

Happy Birthday to You
(1893) (uncredited)
Written by Mildred J. Hill and Patty S. Hill
Sung a cappella by all at the party

User Reviews

Dustin Hoffman's unforgettable triple threat: as Michael, Dorothy, and Emily Kimberly

Unemployable actor dresses in drag and gets a juicy female part on a popular television soap opera. Dustin Hoffman, at this point in his illustrious career, would hardly seem convincing as a struggling New York City actor who has to beg his agent for work, but his comic desperation here is funny and real at the same time. He's so likably obnoxious that we understand both his predicament and that of his poor agent's (played wonderfully by Sydney Pollack, who also directed). "Tootsie" doesn't come on like gangbusters, like a razor-sharp satire of show business; it is almost nonchalant about how clever it is, how consistently smart and beguiling. After it's over, one may feel energized by the sheer good will of the whole thing. The film leaves such a lasting impression that, thinking it over a few days later, it brings back some big laughs. It also features one of the greatest comedic ensembles of the last 40 years, with Jessica Lange winning a Supporting Oscar playing a TV nurse (her lazy, honeydew drawl is infectious and lovely). The film represents a milestone: a savvy humdinger of a comedy that is also a sweet story of self-discovery, and one that never condescends to its audience. ***1/2 from ****

Details

Official Sites:

Sony Movie Channel [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 December 1982 (USA)

Also Known As:

Would I Lie to You?

Filming Locations:

Hurley Mountain Inn, Hurley, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$21,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$5,540,470, 19 December 1982

Gross USA:

$177,200,000

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$177,200,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures, Mirage Enterprises, Punch Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

116 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1