Maxie (1985)

A 1920s flapper who haunts her old house possesses a reserved housewife who just moved in. However, she cannot leave before she receives her massive audition for a Hollywood studio.

Director:

Paul Aaron

Writers:

Jack Finney (novel), Patricia Resnick (screenplay)

Stars:

Glenn Close, Mandy Patinkin, Ruth Gordon

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 1 win & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Glenn Close	...	Jan / Maxie
Mandy Patinkin	...	Nick
Ruth Gordon	...	Mrs. Lavin
Barnard Hughes	...	Bishop Campbell
Valerie Curtin	...	Miss Sheffer
Googy Gress	...	Father Jerome
Michael Ensign	...	Cleopatra Director
Michael Laskin	...	Commercial Director
Lou Cutell	...	Art Isenberg
Nelson Welch	...	Bartender
Leeza Gibbons	...	E.T. Reporter
Evan White	...	Channel 4 Announcer
Harry Wong	...	Mr. Chu
Charles Douglas Laird	...	Policeman
David Sosna	...	Assistant Director

Storyline

When Nick and Jan move into their new apartment house in San Francisco, the crazy landlady upstairs informs them about a girl who used to live there in the 1920s: a brash young party girl named Maxie, who died in a car crash the morning before her massive audition for a Hollywood studio. Merry mayhem is guaranteed when Maxie's ghost, who hasn't left the house, takes over Jan's body and plans to rekindle her film career - but then falls head-over-heels in love with Nick. What he doesn't at first realise is that the woman making hasty advances on him is Maxie, and the only way she's going to leave Jan's body is if she gets that audition.

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Plot Keywords:

character name as title | one word title | audition | ghost | flapper | 

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Taglines:

Her big movie comeback has a ghost of a chance.

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Genres:

Comedy | Fantasy

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

On Tuesday, November 20, 1984, auditions for extras were held at Stage 18 at Laird International Studios in Culver City, California. During this interview, the male extras were asked if they were willing to cut their hair in a short 1920s style. Some extras agreed to cut their hair short while other extras did not. On Tuesday, November 27, 1984, exterior scenes of 'Maxie' arriving in the antique yellow car were shot at the Ambassador Hotel. The scene included an exchange of dialogue between 'Maxie' and E.T. reporter Leeza Gibson. The scene featured a handful of extras as press photographers. [Source: Steven A. Fredrick]

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Goofs

In his classic convertible, Nick makes a hand signal for a left-turn. He then promptly turns right to get in front of his apartment and pull into the garage.

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Quotes

Bishop Campbell: Do you know when World War II ended?
Jan: We had a second one?

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Connections

References Gone with the Wind (1939)

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Soundtracks

Original Dance Music
Written by Donald Alan Siegal (uncredited)
Courtesy of Alto Prano Entertainment (BMI)

User Reviews

Light Romantic Comedy that Won't Waste Your Time

I've always had an unusual name- Maxie. I asked my parents where it was from. A movie, they said, that come out in 1985, the majority of the year that my mother spent pregnant with me. A few years ago, the movie Maxie was on a premium station and I was actually able to sit down and watch it. While the premise is unfathomable, Maxie is a light comedy about the rekindling of old flames and the possibility of reaching your dreams. Glenn Close's acting was one of her best. She was amazing in her portrayal of a guarded housewife to a fun, life loving 1920's actress named Maxie. The shift and broad spectrum to which Close portrays the characters enables me to see why she was praised as highly as she has been. I would recommend it to anyone who has some extra time and doesn't mind seeing a somewhat cheesy 80's romantic comedy. The 80's were an amazing decade, after all.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 September 1985 (USA)

Also Known As:

Maxie

Filming Locations:

Ambassador Hotel - 3400 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$1,121,531, 29 September 1985

Gross USA:

$2,564,278

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$2,564,278

Company Credits

Production Co:

Aurora, Elsboy Entertainment, Orion Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1