The Couch Trip (1988)

A burnt-out shrink needs a temp. A charming escaped convict takes over his practice and radio show.

Director:

Michael Ritchie

Writers:

Ken Kolb (novel), Steven Kampmann (screenplay)

Stars:

Dan Aykroyd, Walter Matthau, Charles Grodin

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Dan Aykroyd	...	John W. Burns, Jr.
Walter Matthau	...	Donald Becker
Charles Grodin	...	George Maitlin
Donna Dixon	...	Laura Rollins
Richard Romanus	...	Harvey Michaels
Mary Gross	...	Vera Maitlin
David Clennon	...	Lawrence Baird
Arye Gross	...	Perry Kovin
Victoria Jackson	...	Robin
Michael DeLorenzo	...	Lopez
Mickey Jones	...	Watkins
J.E. Freeman	...	Unger
David Wohl	...	Dr. Smet
Michael Ensign	...	Hendricks
Carol Mansell	...	Mrs. Blair

Storyline

The escaped delinquent John W. Burns, Jr. replaces Dr. Maitlin on a radio show, saying he's the psychiatrist Lawrence Baird. His tactless radio show is a hit, and he becomes very popular. But then Dr. Maitlin meets the real Dr. Lawrence Baird at a congress in London...

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Plot Keywords:

psychiatrist | impersonation | mental patient | woman wears a bikini | radio | 

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Taglines:

A comedy of truly loony proportions.

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

GLANS stood for "Greater Los Angeles Neurological Society".

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Goofs

When Burns jumps from the building, his stunt man is easy to detect despite the angle in which the scene was shot.

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Quotes

Hendricks: He cares, that's the secret. It's in his voice. Do you know what that means to an advertiser?
Donald Becker: Whoever wants the donuts without jelly, they're ready.

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Connections

Referenced in Freak Out (2004)

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Soundtracks

Fever
by Otis Blackwell (as John Davenport) and Eddie Cooley
Hudson Bay Music, Inc. on behalf of Fort Knox Music, Inc. / Trio Music Company, Inc.

User Reviews

Enjoyable!

I wasn't expecting much from this movie to be honest, it was on late night television and only stayed to watch it because I couldn't sleep, but I found it funny, original and it has a great cast. This is one of those lost eighties comedies which more people should see. Dan Aykroyd is especially brilliant giving his usual mad perfomance! See it if you can...

9 out of 10

Details

Official Sites:

MGM [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 January 1988 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Couch Trip

Filming Locations:

Century City Towers, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$19,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$3,351,891, 17 January 1988

Gross USA:

$11,005,304

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$11,005,304

Company Credits

Production Co:

Orion Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1