Bagdad Cafe (1987)

A lonely German woman ends up in the most desolate motel on Earth and decides to make it brighter.

Director:

Percy Adlon

Writers:

Eleonore Adlon (screenplay), Percy Adlon (screenplay)

Stars:

Marianne Sägebrecht, CCH Pounder, Jack Palance

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 14 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Marianne Sägebrecht	...	Jasmin Münchgstettner
CCH Pounder	...	Brenda
Jack Palance	...	Rudi Cox
Christine Kaufmann	...	Debby
Monica Calhoun	...	Phyllis
Darron Flagg	...	Salomo
George Aguilar	...	Cahuenga
G. Smokey Campbell	...	Sal
Hans Stadlbauer	...	Münchgstettner
Alan S. Craig	...	Eric
Apesanahkwat	...	Sheriff Arnie
Ronald Lee Jarvis	...	Trucker Ron
Mark Daneri	...	Trucker Mark
Ray Young	...	Trucker Ray
Gary Lee Davis	...	Trucker Gary

Storyline

Out of Rosenheim (Bagdad Café) is a look into the lives (and minds) of some people we all have encountered, but few of us ever get to know. This film (a 'fish out odd water'-type tale) shows how one person can affect a disparate community. The Adlons express the view that change and "magic" comes from hard work and mutual understanding/acceptance. A well-crafted view of the lives of people everywhere and the difficulties we all can face. A whimsical story, lovingly shot by people who - unfamiliar with what others too often ignore give this arid area - the bleak, and arrid South West, an almost fairytale-like beauty.

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Plot Keywords:

gas station | motel | magic | desert | restaurant | 

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Taglines:

Off Route 66 between Vegas and nowhere a little magic's going on...

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

According to CCH Pounder, Jack Palance refused to do a romantic scene with Marianne Sägebrecht because he found her unattractive. The scene was shot with each actor at separate times and edited together.

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Goofs

Christine Kaufmann's character's, the tattoo artist, name is spelled Debby in the film credits but the sign outside her shop spells her name Debbie.

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Quotes

Jasmin Münchgstettner: The center. is it far?
Brenda: What center? The shopping center?
Jasmin Münchgstettner: The center of bagdad.
Brenda: Oh, this is bagdad.
Jasmin Münchgstettner: This is all ?
Brenda: This is it.
Jasmin Münchgstettner: Uh huh.
Brenda: Uh huh.

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Alternate Versions

Original German version runs 20 minutes longer than the US release.

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Connections

Referenced in Film Geek (2005)

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Soundtracks

Calling You
Written by Bob Telson
Performed by Jevetta Steele

User Reviews

Bright Colours, Weird Angles, Big Heart.....

Here's a lovely oddity from little known German director Percy Adlon - his first in English. Set in the Arizona scrub is a scruffy diner, where a motley crew of staff and regulars make their home.

A plump German housewife (a joyous Marianne Sagebrecht) is dumped at the roadside by her husband after they row. She makes it to the diner, cases in tow, where the argument has been all about the broken down coffee machine. "You want a room? HERE!!?" enquires boss Brenda (CCH Pounder). The camera shows odd angles and takes on things, rather like Oliver Stone's might do.

Jack Palance, radiating comic charm is the resident just beyond-middle age hippie and he takes a shine to the Frau Jasmin. His performance is as memorable as his Oscar winning one in City Slickers. Anyways, the bustling restless Jasmin has her ways of thinking and those ways don't always meet that of Brenda. Her first task is to do the much needed vacuuming in a pea-green walled room that she's paid $25 to stay in. It's the sight of Jasmin's unpacked lederhosen that causes Brenda to call out the local sheriff.

In a charming, heart-warming tale, full of human colour, is a film that can be enjoyed time and again (I'm on my third view) and one that is offbeat enough to be interesting but always stays the side of going too far. An unknown and enjoyable gem.

Details

Country:

West Germany

Language:

English German

Release Date:

22 April 1988 (USA)

Also Known As:

Bagdad Cafe

Filming Locations:

Bagdad, Arizona, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$3,587,303

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$3,696,134

Company Credits

Production Co:

Pelemele Film, Pro-ject Filmproduktion, Bayerischer Rundfunk (BR)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1