Uncle Buck (1989)

Bachelor and all-round slob Buck babysits his brother's rebellious teenage daughter and her cute younger brother and sister.

Director:

John Hughes

Writer:

John Hughes

Stars:

John Candy, Macaulay Culkin, Jean Louisa Kelly

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
John Candy	...	Buck Russell
Jean Louisa Kelly	...	Tia Russell
Gaby Hoffmann	...	Maizy Russell (as Gaby Hoffman)
Macaulay Culkin	...	Miles Russell
Amy Madigan	...	Chanice Kobolowski
Elaine Bromka	...	Cindy Russell
Garrett M. Brown	...	Bob Russell
Laurie Metcalf	...	Marcie Dahlgren-Frost
Jay Underwood	...	Bug
Brian Tarantina	...	E. Roger Coswell
Mike Starr	...	Pooter-the-Clown
Suzanne Shepherd	...	Mrs. Hogarth
William Windom	...	Mr. Hatfield (voice)
Dennis Cockrum	...	Pal
Joel Robinson	...	Miles' Friend #1

Storyline

As an idle, good-natured bachelor, Uncle Buck is the last person you would think of to watch the kids. However, during a family crisis, he is suddenly left in charge of his nephew and nieces. Unaccustomed to suburban life, fun-loving Uncle Buck soon charms his younger relatives Miles and Maizy with his hefty cooking and his new way of doing the laundry. His carefree style does not impress everyone though - especially his rebellious teenage niece, Tia, and his impatient girlfriend, Chanice. With a little bit of luck and a lot of love, Uncle Buck manages to surprise everyone in this heartwarming family comedy.

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Plot Keywords:

twin | watching tv | character name as title | man wears eyeglasses | universal | 

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Taglines:

OH NO! IT'S...

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

Buck's car (which he called "The Beast") was a 1975-78 Mercury Marquis coupe.

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Goofs

When Buck takes the cat back out of the house, as he walks through the doorway you can see a person standing behind the door waiting to close it (at 01:00:33 seen through the slit between the door and the frame at the hinges). This person is a lot taller than a six year old. The form is also seen through the slit (and moves) from 01:00:17 to 01:00:27 when Buck first brings the cat into the house. The scene from 01:00:17 to 01:00:48 is shot in a single take. The intent of the film is that the children close the door because the porch light is shut off at 01:00:39 and the children giggle about it, but since children have restricted work hours and this scene does not require them to be on-camera, it would make sense that it was shot when no children were on the set.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Tia: Get your bag off the table, people eat there.
Maisey Russell: People eat off of plates.
Tia: Don't give me any crap, Maizy.

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Crazy Credits

When the movie finishes, John Candy's voice yells "Wake up!", followed by the sound of an air horn and John laughing.

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Alternate Versions

Scenes from Maisy's classroom are edited from TV-versions.

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Connections

Referenced in Baby's Day Out Review (2010)

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Soundtracks

TWEEDLEE DEE
Written by Winfield Scott
Performed by La Vern Baker (as LaVern Baker)
Courtesy of Atlantic Recording Corp.
By Arrangement with Warner Special Products

User Reviews

A hilarious, feel-good movie

I was BORN the year this film came out, but I've managed to see it on TV a few times and am proud to say I love it. Uncle Buck is one of my all time favorite movies. John Candy's jokes are just hilarious. He plays the part perfectly - if he wasn't cast as Uncle Buck, it wouldn't be half the movie it is. There are so many funny parts in this movie, even if you're in a horrible mood, you cannot help but laugh at least once. The music really enhances the movie, also. The teenager got on my nerves, but I suppose that's what she was supposed to do. Macaulay Culkin is charming and cute and has a few good scenes. Uncle Buck grabs onto your imagination and you cannot help but love it. If you haven't seen it, go out and rent it. You won't be sorry.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 August 1989 (USA)

Also Known As:

Uncle Buck

Filming Locations:

Wheeling, Illinois, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$15,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$8,794,501, 20 August 1989

Gross USA:

$66,758,538

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$79,258,538

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures, Hughes Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1