A college professor's day: his top student allegedly commits suicide, his wife presents him with divorce papers and he overnights in a freshman girl's dorm. The next day: more murders around him. Will he find the killer in time?
Turn back the clock and hit the beach with some of our favorite classic Hollywood stars.
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Title: D.O.A. (1988)
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Dennis Quaid | ... | Dexter Cornell | |
| Meg Ryan | ... | Sydney Fuller | |
| Charlotte Rampling | ... | Mrs. Fitzwaring | |
| Daniel Stern | ... | Hal Petersham | |
| Jane Kaczmarek | ... | Gail Cornell | |
| Christopher Neame | ... | Bernard | |
| Robin Johnson | ... | Cookie Fitzwaring | |
| Robert Knepper | ... | Nicholas Lang (as Rob Knepper) | |
| Jay Patterson | ... | Graham Corey | |
| Brion James | ... | Detective Ulmer | |
| Jack Kehoe | ... | Detective Brockton | |
| Elizabeth Arlen | ... | Elaine Wells | |
 |
Karen Radcliffe | ... | Jane Corey |
| William Forward | ... | Chief Resident | |
|
|
Lee Gideon | ... | Mr. Fitzwaring |
Learn more
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Edit
Plot Summary
|
Plot Synopsis
See All (52) »
Storyline
Dexter Cornell, an English Professor, becomes embroiled in a series of murders involving people around him. Dexter has good reason to want to find the murderer but hasn't much time. He finds help and comfort from one of his students, Sydney Fuller. Written by Rob Hartill
Plot Keywords:
english professor | poison | dead on arrival | neo noir | race against time |Taglines:
Someone poisoned Dexter Cornell. He's got to find out who. He's got to find out why. He's got to find out now. In 24 hours, he'll be Dead On Arrival.Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
Edit
Dexter Cornell: I need to speak to Detective Ulmer
Desk Sergeant: What for?
Dexter Cornell: I need to report a crime
Desk Sergeant: What crime?
Dexter Cornell: A murder
Desk Sergeant: [confused] Who was murdered?
Dexter Cornell: [finally looks up at him] I Was
See more »
Written by Pat MacDonald
Performed by Timbuk 3
Courtesy of I.R.S. Records
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
Stars Meg Ryan and Dennis Quaid fell in love during the shooting of this film. After Innerspace (1987) it was their second film together. They married in 1991 and divorced in 2001. See more »Goofs
Dexter suddenly gains glasses when he first asks Sydney to join him for a date. See more »Quotes
[first lines]Dexter Cornell: I need to speak to Detective Ulmer
Desk Sergeant: What for?
Dexter Cornell: I need to report a crime
Desk Sergeant: What crime?
Dexter Cornell: A murder
Desk Sergeant: [confused] Who was murdered?
Dexter Cornell: [finally looks up at him] I Was
See more »
Crazy Credits
The opening Touchstone Logo is in black & white and the logo's flash is accompanied by a thunder clap. See more »Soundtracks
TOO MUCH SEX, NOT ENOUGH AFFECTIONWritten by Pat MacDonald
Performed by Timbuk 3
Courtesy of I.R.S. Records
See more »
Frequently Asked Questions
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Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
18 March 1988 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Muerto al llegar See more »Edit
Box Office
Opening Weekend USA:
$3,751,432, 20 March 1988Gross USA:
$12,706,478Cumulative Worldwide Gross:
$12,706,478Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
This movie is an awesome remake of the original by the same title. The movie was cool,despite the fact, I hate new ones! All of the cast was awesome . It has great cast and an awesome plot!! The main plot is a man is poisoned and he has to solve his own murder , neat eh?!Dennis Quaid is the man who is "D.O.A"(in other words Dead On Arrival).He finds help with his friends, but everyone is now a suspect!!Dennis's character has several hours to find out who poisoned him. The movie is quite fast and full of action. You can see two other big stars in Meg Ryan(City Of Angels,Courage Under Fire) and Daniel Stern(Home Alone, Very Bad Things,Bushwhacked) in supporting roles in this awesome ,cool remake of a classic movie!!