Max Dugan Returns (1983)

An English teacher and struggling single mother has her life disrupted when the father who abandoned her as a child comes back into her life.

Director:

Herbert Ross

Writer:

Neil Simon

Stars:

Jason Robards, Marsha Mason, Donald Sutherland

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Marsha Mason	...	Nora McPhee
Jason Robards	...	Max Dugan
Donald Sutherland	...	Brian Costello
Matthew Broderick	...	Michael McPhee
Dody Goodman	...	Mrs. Litke
Sal Viscuso	...	Coach Roy
Panchito Gómez	...	Luis (as Panchito Gomez)
Charley Lau	...	Charley Lau
Mari Gorman	...	Pat
Brian Part	...	Kevin Costello
Billie Bird	...	Older Woman
Tessa Richarde	...	Blonde at Shoe Store
Jim Staahl	...	Man at Shoe Store (as James Staahl)
Duke Stroud	...	Teacher
Sondra Blake	...	Teacher

Storyline

Nora is a single mother who lives with her son Michael in a small house. They don't have much money but at least they have each other. Out of the blue comes Nora's father Max Dugan, who left her and her mother when Nora was nine years old. He brings a suitcase with dollar bills and showers her and Michael with gifts, trying to make up for lost time, knowing that he has a fatal heart ailment. The money comes from his shady career in Las Vegas and Nora is dating a police who is very interested in meeting him...

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Plot Keywords:

police officer | gift | teacher | lunchroom | high school | 

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Taglines:

Prices are double. Your love life's in trouble. The car won't start. Your boss has no heart. The door squeaks. The roof leaks. Your stereo just went mono. All you need is a little Max Dugan.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 March 1983 (USA)

Also Known As:

Como caído del cielo

Filming Locations:

Alexander Hamilton High School - 2955 S. Robertson Blvd., Palms District, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$2,791,002, 27 March 1983, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$17,613,720

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Actor Matthew Broderick's father, actor James Broderick died around the time that this film was being developed, made and released. Broderick's co-actor in this film, Jason Robards, knew his father and helped Matthew through his loss and grief.

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Goofs

When Nora McPhee drives home on the motorcycle with her son and parks, she leaves the ignition on, as evidenced by the brightly glowing taillight that will turn off and on with the ignition switch.

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Quotes

Nora McPhee: Listen. I'm trying to keep so many people happy, all at the same time, and I'm not one of them. But don't give up on me. I'm worth it, I promise.

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Connections

Referenced in Yes Man (2008)

User Reviews

Slightly corny, quite "80's", but very pleasant movie experience.

I always enjoy watching this movie during those (rare) times that it comes on TV. I realize now that this movie makes an ideal holiday film, one that should best be seen around either Christmas/New Year's, or Thanksgiving holiday time. Why? Simply because it has such a strong "family values" theme to it. (Oh, and Max Dugan (Jason Robards) is also very generous with giving splendid gifts to his daughter and grandson (Marsha Mason and Matthew Broderick) in the film).

Perhaps a bit corny by today's film standards, I would nevertheless recommend this film to anyone who lived through the 80's - at least to those who were cognizant of everything that was going on around them. It should stimulate a few memories of the zeitgeist of the 80's (like, think "materialism" and "philosophy") - and it's all done without special effects or smoke and filter-lens photography.

This film shows Jason Robards in one of his best roles, with that deep, smooth, mellifluous voice of his just hitting all the right notes. Matthew Broderick is fun to watch in this film as well; it's an early peek at his big-screen work before he hit it big as Ferris Bueller in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off". Donald Sutherland is interesting as always, and Marsha Mason is excellent as the single mom trying to cope with all the crazy stuff happening to her.

If you like this film, I would recommend you rent "Rocket Gibraltar" (1988) starring Burt Lancaster. Another excellent family film that showcases a well-known actor in one of his last film roles.