Protocol (1984)

The US needs to convince the visiting emir Khala'ad of Othar to allow an American military base in his strategic realm. Clueless nightclub waitress Sunny Ann Davis accidentally spots and ... See full summary »

Director:

Herbert Ross

Writers:

Buck Henry (screenplay by), Charles Shyer (story by)

Stars:

Goldie Hawn, Chris Sarandon, Richard Romanus

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Goldie Hawn	...	Sunny
Chris Sarandon	...	Michael Ransome
Richard Romanus	...	Emir
Andre Gregory	...	Nawaf Al Kabeer (as André Gregory)
Gail Strickland	...	Mrs. St. John
Cliff De Young	...	Hilley
Keith Szarabajka	...	Crowe
Ed Begley Jr.	...	Hassler
James Staley	...	Vice President Merck
Kenneth Mars	...	Lou
Jean Smart	...	Ella
Maria O'Brien	...	Donna
Joel Brooks	...	Ben
Grainger Hines	...	Jerry
Kenneth McMillan	...	Senator Norris

Storyline

The US needs to convince the visiting emir Khala'ad of Othar to allow an American military base in his strategic realm. Clueless nightclub waitress Sunny Ann Davis accidentally spots and stops a terrorist shooting at the president and his royal guest. Her naive comments charm the press, so the State Department recruits her for its Protocol. She falls in love with charming Middle East desk chief Michael Ransome, who resigns rather than help trick her into a 'contact mission' to Othar, where the emir's plan with her unexpectedly stirs a revolution.

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Plot Keywords:

political comedy | female lead | one word title | press conference | attempted shooting | 

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Taglines:

There's something funny going on in Washington. Goldie's about to become a diplomat.

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

The name of the nightclub where Sunny Davis (Goldie Hawn) worked as a cocktail waitress was "Lou's Safari Club".

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Goofs

When Sunny, while in the Middle East, runs for her life toward the OH-58 helicopter that is sitting there shut down, she appears to be 30 to 50 feet from it. By the time she reaches it and gets inside it lifts off and takes her to safety. A helicopter cannot be started and flown in a matter of a few seconds. It would probably take about 30 seconds to get it running and ready for lift off.

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Quotes

Man: What the hell is this place?
Policeman: Must be one of those gay, Arab, biker, sushi bars.

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Crazy Credits

Closing credits: For you, Dad Love, Kink

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Connections

Featured in 100 Years of Comedy (1997)

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Soundtracks

Dynamite
Written by Andy Goldmark (uncredited) and Bruce Roberts (uncredited)
Performed by Jermaine Jackson
Courtesy of Arista Records, Inc.

User Reviews

Solid Goldie!

Sunny, a cocktail waitress in the D.C. area, is a bit dim, to put in mildly. She drives an old clunker and rents a tiny room from a gay male couple. However, she saves the life of a prominent Arab, by taking a bullet in the behind that was meant for the official. She charms the national press with her zany remarks and her sweet looks. Sniffing an opportunity, Presidential aides get her installed in the protocol department for the U.S. government. Even then, she messes things up at times, but she tries hard and learns a lot. She even grabs the romantic attention of a State department official. But, is there another sinister plot in the making, involving an Arab man who wishes to take another wife? A blonde one? LOL, LOL, LOL. This movie features Goldie as pretty as a picture and as dumb "as a fox", as they say. Sunny learns her way around the jungle of the U.S. government very, very well. She even has important things to say about honesty and the lack of it in her protocol surroundings. Perhaps, the Arab community would be less than thrilled with this work, but for those who like to laugh, rent this today.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 December 1984 (USA)

Also Known As:

Protocol

Filming Locations:

Washington Monument - 15th Street & Constitution Avenue NW, National Mall, Washington, District of Columbia, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$12,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$3,427,840, 25 December 1984

Gross USA:

$26,186,631

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$26,186,631

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hawn / Sylbert Movie Company, Warner Bros.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo (as Dolby Stereo® in selected cinemas)

Color:

Color (Technicolor) (as Technicolor®)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1