*batteries not included (1987)

Apartment block tenants seek the aid of alien mechanical life-forms to save their building from demolition.

Director:

Matthew Robbins

Writers:

Mick Garris (story by), Brad Bird (screenplay by)

Stars:

Hume Cronyn, Jessica Tandy, Frank McRae

2 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Hume Cronyn	...	Frank Riley
Jessica Tandy	...	Faye Riley
Frank McRae	...	Harry Noble
Elizabeth Peña	...	Marisa Esteval
Michael Carmine	...	Carlos
Dennis Boutsikaris	...	Mason Baylor
Tom Aldredge	...	Sid Hogenson
Jane Hoffman	...	Muriel Hogenson
John DiSanti	...	Gus
John Pankow	...	Kovacs
MacIntyre Dixon	...	DeWitt
Michael Greene	...	Lacey
Doris Belack	...	Mrs. Thompson
Wendy Schaal	...	Pamela
José Angel Santana	...	Goon #1 (as José Santana)

Storyline

A group of tenants in an apartment block are being forced to move out so that it can be demolished. The tenants are reluctant to move, so the developers hire a local gang to 'persuade' them to leave. Fortunately, visiting alien mechanical life-forms come to town. When they befriend the tenants, the aliens use their extraterrestrial abilities to defeat the developers.

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Plot Keywords:

elderly people | cafe | cafe owner | property developer | elderly protagonist | 

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Taglines:

Five ordinary people needed a miracle. Then one night, Faye Riley left the window open.

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Genres:

Comedy | Family | Fantasy | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

The black-and-white photos of Frank and Faye used in the opening credits were real-life photos of Hume Cronyn and Jessica Tandy, who were married for decades.

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Goofs

When Frank is showing the machine how to cook hamburgers on the grill, the full view shows three raw patties on the back of the griddle. But on the close-up, the machine starts to turn the patties and all patties have been cooked on one side.

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Quotes

Mr. Lacey: Why am I paying a demolition crew to sit around eating in a restaurant they're supposed to be knocking down?

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Crazy Credits

During the opening credits, pictures of young Hume Cronyn and Jessica Tandy are shown. This includes their actual wedding photo, since the actors (who often play a married couple on stage or in the movies) were married for decades.

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Alternate Versions

When aired on KTLA in 1991, the following scenes were omitted: When Frank attempts to give Faye her medicine; Before Frank asks for somebody to help them, he breaks a vace and kicks a chair; a scene of Carlos and his gang planning; Frank and Faye are reading the newspaper and while one of the spaceships pours them coffee, Faye asks what ever happened to General Eisehower; Harry searches his room for his whistle; While Marissa, Hector and his friends hold a fiesta in the apartment, Mason sits outside and drinks.

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Connections

Referenced in The Siskel & Ebert 500th Anniversary Special (1989)

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Soundtracks

Let's Have Another Cup of Coffee
(uncredited)
Written by Irving Berlin
Performed by Jessica Tandy and Hume Cronyn

User Reviews

Sweet

This movie sticks out of my memory from my childhood, because I remember it as a heart-warming tale, touching and tender. Today, I still like it, it continues to be a sweet story about ordinary people who find the extraordinary. Jessica Tandy and Hume Cronyn are very good, and make the acting juice of this movie. Liked it, and am still able to see it anytime!

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

18 December 1987 (USA)

Also Known As:

*batteries not included

Filming Locations:

Times Square, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$25,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$3,326,530, 20 December 1987

Gross USA:

$32,945,797

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$65,088,797

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures, Amblin Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1