Mannequin (1987)

A young artist, searching for his vocation, makes a mannequin so perfect he falls in love with it. Finding the mannequin in a store window, he gets a job there and his creation comes to life.

Director:

Michael Gottlieb

Writers:

Edward Rugoff, Michael Gottlieb

Stars:

Andrew McCarthy, Kim Cattrall, Estelle Getty

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 5 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Andrew McCarthy	...	Jonathan Switcher
Kim Cattrall	...	Emmy
Estelle Getty	...	Claire Timkin
James Spader	...	Richards
G.W. Bailey	...	Felix
Carole Davis	...	Roxie
Steve Vinovich	...	B.J. Wert (as Stephen Vinovich)
Christopher Maher	...	Armand
Meshach Taylor	...	Hollywood
Phyllis Newman	...	Emmy's Mother
Phil Rubenstein	...	Mannequin Factory Boss
Jeffrey Lampert	...	Factory Worker
Kenneth Lloyd	...	Superdad
Jake Jundef	...	Superkid (as Jake Jundeff)
Harvey Levine	...	Balloon Boss

Storyline

Down-on-his-luck artist Jonathan Switcher bounces from one dead-end job to another, never managing to hold onto any of them. But everything changes when he builds a mannequin, which he falls in love with. It is the first thing he has made that makes him feel like a real artist. Much to his surprise, Jonathan discovers the mannequin prominently displayed in the window of Prince and Company department store. When he saves the life of an old lady who happens to be the owner of that store, he is rewarded by getting a job at the store as a stock boy. The mannequin later comes to life as Ema "Emmy" Hesire, an ancient Egyptian princess living in the year 2514 BC. Gorgeous and vivacious, this femme fatale helps Jonathan turn his career around, inspiring him to become the best window dresser in town. But Emmy soon discovers that the real world is not very dear, when they run into competitors who want to bring them out of business - for good.

---

Plot Keywords:

mannequin | department store | mannequin comes to life | window display | window dresser | 

---

Taglines:

When she comes to life, anything can happen!

---

Genres:

Comedy | Fantasy | Romance

---

Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 February 1987 (USA)

Also Known As:

Perfect Timing

Filming Locations:

Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$6,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$6,001,208, 16 February 1987

Gross USA:

$42,721,196

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$42,721,196

Company Credits

Production Co:

Gladden Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This is the second of three movies featuring James Spader and Andrew McCarthy. They also starred together in Pretty in Pink (1986) and Less Than Zero (1987). All three titles were released during 1986-1987.

---

Goofs

During the hang gliding scene, the strings are clearly visible holding it up.

---

Quotes

[Jonathan has just punched out Felix, sending him to the floor]
Jonathan Switcher: How did you do that?
Ema 'Emmy' Hesire: I was standing right behind him; he didn't see me.
Jonathan Switcher: Teach him to mess with a man and his mannequin.

---

Connections

Featured in Retrosexual: The 80's (2004)

---

Soundtracks

Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now
Performed by Jefferson Starship (as Starship)
Produced by Narada Michael Walden
Courtesy of RCA/Ariola International
Words & Music by Albert Hammond and Diane Warren

User Reviews

Delightful screwball comedy from the '80s...

The low IMDb rating for MANNEQUIN is imbecilic. This is a thoroughly delightful mixture of madcap comedy and romance, played to the hilt by a sparkling cast of players who all have a gift for comedy.

ANDREW McCARTHY is at his best as a young man drifting from job to job who ends up employed by ESTELLE GETTY at her almost defunct department store. It isn't until he gets real inspiration for window displays from a mannequin who becomes a real person whenever others aren't around, that the picture soars into romantic fantasy. KIM CATTRALL is the gorgeous dummy who comes to life and wins the heart of the hero who is at first reluctant to believe his own eyes.

The sets and costumes are fantastic, the supporting cast is excellent and the script stays in high gear until the last twenty minutes when things get a little too hectic, even for a comedy/fantasy. But it's all in good fun, a cheerful flick easily enjoyable if you like fantasies of this kind and all of it is well photographed in pleasing color with splendid sets.

ANDREW McCARTHY, KIM CATTRALL, JAMES SPADER (especially funny as a smarmy business man), and G.W. BAILEY (as the night detective) all demonstrate a flair for comedy in roles they obviously enjoyed playing.

Well worth watching.