Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)

A toon-hating detective is a cartoon rabbit's only hope to prove his innocence when he is accused of murder.

Director:

Robert Zemeckis

Writers:

Gary K. Wolf (novel), Jeffrey Price (screenplay)

Stars:

Bob Hoskins, Christopher Lloyd, Joanna Cassidy

Won 3 Oscars. Another 21 wins & 21 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Bob Hoskins	...	Eddie Valiant
Christopher Lloyd	...	Judge Doom
Joanna Cassidy	...	Dolores
Charles Fleischer	...	Roger Rabbit / Benny The Cab / Greasy / Psycho (voice)
Stubby Kaye	...	Marvin Acme
Alan Tilvern	...	R.K. Maroon
Richard LeParmentier	...	Lt. Santino (as Richard Le Parmentier)
Lou Hirsch	...	Baby Herman (voice)
Betsy Brantley	...	Jessica's Performance Model
Joel Silver	...	Raoul
Paul Springer	...	Augie
Richard Ridings	...	Angelo
Edwin Craig	...	Arthritic Cowboy
Lindsay Holiday	...	Soldier
Mike Edmonds	...	Stretch

Storyline

'Toon star Roger is worried that his wife Jessica is playing pattycake with someone else, so the studio hires detective Eddie Valiant to snoop on her. But the stakes are quickly raised when Marvin Acme is found dead and Roger is the prime suspect. Groundbreaking interaction between the live and animated characters, and lots of references to classic animation.

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Plot Keywords:

sexy woman | roger rabbit | maroon cartoon | rabbit | private detective | 

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Taglines:

JEEPERS! Look who's returning to theaters like never before?

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Genres:

Animation | Adventure | Comedy | Crime | Family | Fantasy | Mystery

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 June 1988 (USA)

Also Known As:

Dead Toons Don't Pay Bills

Filming Locations:

USA

Box Office

Budget:

$70,000,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$156,452,370

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$349,200,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Touchstone Pictures,Amblin Entertainment,Silver Screen Partners III

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) Dolby Stereo (35 mm prints)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Being the one who voiced Mrs. Herman as the film opens, and Baby Herman, who are all on a set in a "Roger Rabbit" cartoon, this film was where April Winchell did her first voice.

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Goofs

Film takes place in 1947. The short that Roger and Eddie watch at the theater, Goofy Gymnastics, was not released until two years later. The filmmakers knew this (see trivia).

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Quotes

[first lines]
Mrs. Herman: Mommy's going to the beauty parlor, darling, but I'm leaving you with your favorite friend, Roger. He's going to take very, very good care of you, because if he doesn't... HE'S GOING BACK TO THE SCIENCE LAB.

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Crazy Credits

At the end of the credits: "Daffy Duck, Yosemite Sam, Tweetie Bird, Bugs Bunny, Sylvester, Porky Pig, Acme, and all other Warner Bros. characters are trademark of Warner Brothers Inc. Copyright 1988 Warner Bros. Inc. used by permission."

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Alternate Versions

Some versions, including the television version shown on FOX and CBS, have an extra scene: After leaving Roger with Dolores, Eddie Valiant attempts to break into Jessica Rabbit's dressing room and encounters an angry Judge Doom and the Gorilla. Eddie is then kidnapped by the Toon Patrol weasels and taken into Toontown, where they give him a "Toon-a-roo" (paint a cartoon face over your real one, in this case a pig). Eddie goes home and, using turpentine and paint remover, washes the pig-head off in the shower. During this sequence, Jessica enters his apartment (and the bathroom) and begins a conversation with him, the second part of which (after Eddie is partially dressed) is in the theatrical cut of the film. The theatrical cut tries to cover-up the missing footage by placing a toilet flush on the soundtrack as Eddie exits his bathroom. This deleted scene is included as a special feature on the DVD.

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Connections

Referenced in Mystery Science Theater 3000: Horrors of Spider Island (1999)

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Soundtracks

Why Don't You Do Right?
Written by Joe McCoy
Vocal by Amy Irving

User Reviews

A film Classic like no other

To make a great classic film i think it has to work on several different levels and this one not only plays on many different levels It scores tremendously.

It is a great childrens movie. With zany classic characters such as Roger, the Weasles, and Benny the Cab. They are original crazy and fun. Also it is a mystery. It plays perfectly as one of those Old 50's detective stories. It is a milestone in film making. The scenes of the "toons" and humans sharing a world is great. I think the best scene as special effects go, is the one where Eddie and Roger are handcuffed together in his office. It looks so real!!!!! This movie is fun and creative and will go down in movie history. I don't know what else to say it is simply the best.

Also do your self a favor and steer clear of the bad rip off Cool World.