Electric Dreams (1984)

An artificially intelligent PC and his human owner find themselves in a romantic rivalry over a woman.

Director:

Steve Barron

Writer:

Rusty Lemorande

Stars:

Lenny von Dohlen, Virginia Madsen, Maxwell Caulfield

Nominated for 1 BAFTA Film Award. Another 2 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Lenny von Dohlen	...	Miles Harding
Virginia Madsen	...	Madeline Robistat
Maxwell Caulfield	...	Bill
Bud Cort	...	Edgar (voice)
Don Fellows	...	Mr. Ryley
Alan Polonsky	...	Frank, Co-Worker
Wendy Miller	...	Computer Clerk
Harry Rabinowitz	...	Conductor
Miriam Margolyes	...	Ticket Girl
Holly De Jong	...	Ryley's Receptionist
Stella Maris	...	Woman at Airport
Mary Doran	...	Millie
Diana Choy	...	Check-Out Girl
Jim Steck	...	Removal Man
Gary Pettinger	...	Removal Man

Storyline

Miles buys himself a state-of-the-art computer that starts expressing thoughts and emotions after a having champagne spilled down on him. Things start getting out of hand when both Miles and Edgar, how the computer calls himself, fall in love with Madeline, an attractive neighbour.

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Plot Keywords:

smart house | cello | artificial intelligence | human versus computer | rivalry | 

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Taglines:

The most unusual triangle in the history of love: a boy, a girl, and a computer.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Music | Romance | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

As the voice of the computer, Bud Cort had to deliver his entire performance from inside a box on the set; his co-stars were never allowed to see him during filming. The director was afraid that if the other performers associated a person to the voice, they would react to it as if they were talking to a human being instead of a computer and the difference in reaction would show on camera.

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Goofs

Miles and Edgar both quote the wrong release dates to each other for the respective Sleeping Beauty and Cinderalla movies they are referencing.

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Quotes

Dr. Ruth Westheimer: When you are sitting in front of a crackling fireplace...
Edgar: Crackling fireplace.
Dr. Ruth Westheimer: ...and you take that lady into your arms...
Edgar: But I don't *have* any arms.
Dr. Ruth Westheimer: Oh dear. Do you have anything you can touch her with?
Edgar: I don't have *anything*!
Dr. Ruth Westheimer: Oh dear. Maybe you should go to a clinic.
Edgar: But I can't, Dr. Ruth. Moles keeps me locked up.
Dr. Ruth Westheimer: Locked up? You must call the police right away!
Edgar: Right away. Yeah!

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Crazy Credits

After the closing credits have run, a multicolored question mark appears in the lower right corner of the screen with a computer-like sound. After this, the line "ELECTRIC DREAMS FINISHED" appears in green at the upper left corner. The question mark is replaced by the line "no more?" Then the green text is replaced by "TIME TO DISCONNECT". Both then disappear, and multicolored letters appear near the center of the screen reading "THE NED". The "N" is quickly deleted, the "E" moved over, and the "N" is reinserted to properly spell "THE END". As this disappears, Edgar's voice is heard laughing, and he says "H-hello? Hello? Good-goodbye."

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Alternate Versions

When released on DVD in region 2, distributed by Hollywood Classics on behalf of Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment LLC and made available to the UK exclusively by Second Sight Films, the opening card was again the MGM lion, with URL added, but omitting the a capella opening lyrics entirely. The opening text starts at "A VIRGIN PICTURES PRODUCTION".

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Connections

References The Decameron (1971)

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Soundtracks

Electric Dreams
Performed by P.P. Arnold
Composed by Boy George (as George O'Dowd) and Phil Pickett
Produced by Don Was
(c)1984 Virgin Music (publishers) Limited/Warner Bros. Music Limited

User Reviews

Don't upset your computer

This movie is rather funny and like some of the other viewers, the main song has stuck with me since the movie was first released. One point this movie tried to make is that there can never be enough montages. Without all the musical montages in this movie, the film would have lasted only thirty-minutes or so. Anyway, if your in the mood for a movie with a strange love triangle that doesn't involve questioning a characters sexuality, watch this.

Details

Country:

USA UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 July 1984 (USA)

Also Known As:

Electric Dreams

Filming Locations:

1115-1117 Mason Street, San Francisco, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$1,009,586, 22 July 1984

Gross USA:

$2,193,612

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$2,193,612

Company Credits

Production Co:

Virgin

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1