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 | sexy legs | interrupted sex | panties | 

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Taglines:

You will believe that a duck can talk.

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Comedy | Romance | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

In a Twitter comment, actress Lea Thompson confirmed that she still has the Les Paul guitar, "Cherry Bomb," and sometimes still plays it.

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Goofs

(at around 1h 9 mins) When Howard and Beverly try to exit the diner, the Dark Overlord prevents them leaving. When he closes the door and moves the plants, and then shoves the furniture in front of the door, you can see thin ropes stretched from the door and across the room. These guide the furniture towards the door.

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Quotes

Waitress: You know, hostility is like psychic boomerang.

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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 Marvel: Contest of Champions (2014)

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Soundtracks

I'm on My Way
Performed by Táta Vega (as Tata Vega)
Produced by Thomas Dolby
Adapted and Arranged by Thomas Dolby

User Reviews

It's not that terrible! Really!

"Howard the Duck" was a critical and commercial failure when it was first released in the summer of 1986. Since that time, the movie has become synonymous with one word: BOMB. However, while it is not a very good film, I feel "Howard the Duck" is not nearly as bad as many people seem to believe.

How can you dislike a film about a midget duck from another planet who (with the help of Lea Thompson and her gigantic '80s hair) saves Earth from impending doom? Not only that, but the menace threatening Earth is the Dark Overlord of the Universe, an evil force that has invaded the body of Jeffery Jones! "Howard the Duck" is one of those movies that is enjoyable in a mindless way. It is by no means classic cinema, but if you are in the right frame of mind, it is very fun to watch.

And don't miss the musical number at the end, when Howard and the cast do the "duck waddle"!

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