Howard the Duck (1986)

A sarcastic humanoid duck is pulled from his homeworld to Earth where he must stop an alien invasion with the help of a nerdy scientist and a struggling female rock singer.

Director:

Willard Huyck

Writers:

Steve Gerber (based on the character created by), Willard Huyck

Stars:

Lea Thompson, Jeffrey Jones, Tim Robbins

5 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Lea Thompson	...	Beverly Switzler
Jeffrey Jones	...	Dr. Walter Jenning
Tim Robbins	...	Phil Blumburtt
Ed Gale	...	Howard T. Duck
Chip Zien	...	Howard T. Duck (voice)
Tim Rose	...	Howard T. Duck
Steve Sleap	...	Howard T. Duck
Peter Baird	...	Howard T. Duck
Mary Wells	...	Howard T. Duck
Lisa Sturz	...	Howard T. Duck
Jordan Prentice	...	Howard T. Duck
Paul Guilfoyle	...	Lieutenant Welker
Liz Sagal	...	Ronette, Cherry Bomb
Dominique Davalos	...	Cal, Cherry Bomb
Holly Robinson Peete	...	K.C., Cherry Bomb (as Holly Robinson)

Storyline

A scientific experiment unknowingly brings extraterrestrial life forms to the Earth through a laser beam. First is the cigar smoking drake Howard from the duck's planet. A few kids try to keep him from the greedy scientists and help him back to his planet. But then a much less friendly being arrives through the beam...

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Plot Keywords:

red panties | microskirt | woman wearing a miniskirt | sexy legs | interrupted sex | 

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Taglines:

Trapped in a world he never made.

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Comedy | Romance | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

Names of duck films on movie posters seen in the picture were "Splashdance" (title spoofing Flashdance (1983)) and "Breeders of the Lost Stork" (title parodying Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)).

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Goofs

(at around 1h 45 mins) During the final scene, in which Beverly's band is playing on stage, there is a mirror as part of the stage in which the crew and camera can be seen occasionally.

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Quotes

Howard T. Duck: What is this place?
Beverly: Uh... Cleveland?
Howard T. Duck: Cleve-Land? U-huh. That's a perfect weird name for this planet.

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Alternate Versions

The USA TV version adds extra bubbles to hide the chest area of a female duck in a bathtub.

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Connections

Referenced in The Golden Girls: 'Twas the Nightmare Before Christmas (1986)

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Soundtracks

It Don't Come Cheap
Performed by Lea Thompson, Dominique Davalos, Liz Sagal, Holly Robinson Peete (as Holly Robinson)
Produced by Thomas Dolby
Written by Thomas Dolby and Allee Willis

User Reviews

A Fun Family Film

This is an original Marvel film that is actually funny. It is not lame laden with what Disney thinks is funny. It is actually funny and adventurous and cute and has pathos. Howard generates more sympathy than any 2018 CGI. Not a fan of the music, but the band members are cute.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 August 1986 (USA)

Also Known As:

Howard

Filming Locations:

California Academy of Sciences, Concourse Drive, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$37,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$5,070,136, 3 August 1986

Gross USA:

$16,295,774

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$37,962,774

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures, Lucasfilm

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) Dolby Stereo (35 mm prints)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1