Billy Bathgate (1991)

In the year 1935, a teen named Billy Bathgate finds first love while becoming the protégé of fledgling gangster Dutch Schultz.

Director:

Robert Benton

Writers:

E.L. Doctorow (book), Tom Stoppard (screenplay)

Stars:

Dustin Hoffman, Nicole Kidman, Loren Dean

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Dustin Hoffman	...	Dutch Schultz
Nicole Kidman	...	Drew Preston
Loren Dean	...	Billy Bathgate
Bruce Willis	...	Bo Weinberg
Steven Hill	...	Otto Berman
Steve Buscemi	...	Irving
Billy Jaye	...	Mickey
John Costelloe	...	Lulu
Timothy Jerome	...	Dixie Davis (as Tim Jerome)
Stanley Tucci	...	Lucky Luciano
Mike Starr	...	Julie Martin
Robert F. Colesberry	...	Jack Kelly
Stephen Joyce	...	Mr. Hines
Frances Conroy	...	Mary Behan - Billy's Mother
Moira Kelly	...	Rebecca

Storyline

Based loosely on the organized crime syndicates of the 20's and 30's, Billy Bathgate is the story of a young man's rise from gopher to right hand man in Dutch Schultz' gang. Having been impressed by the youth, Schultz takes him under his wing so to speak. Billy soon finds himself in a world where wealth and fortune live next door to danger and death.

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Plot Keywords:

waterfall | lake | 1930s | based on true story | female full frontal nudity | 

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Taglines:

In 1935, a New York kid was looking for a hero. He found Dutch Schultz.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some gangster violence, and for language

Did You Know?

Trivia

Partially filmed in Hamlet, North Carolina.

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Goofs

The film portrays Schultz as a middle aged man, played by then 54 year old Dustin Hoffman, but in reality Schultz was on 34 years old at the time of his death.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Bo Weinberg: [being tied up] What do you think, Irving? Makes this cheap dago move on me, Bo Weinberg. The man who took out @Vincent Coll. The man who held Jack Diamond's ears so he could put the gun in his mouth. Who found the rackets he was to *stupid* to find for himself, who made him something more than the lowdown fucking guy that he is! The schmuck, I should expect something else. He pulls me off the the street right in front of my girl, like he don't know no better. Schmuck!
Dutch Schultz: Don't talk to ...
[...]

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Connections

Referenced in Micmacs (2009)

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Soundtracks

Bye Bye Blackbird
Music by Ray Henderson
Lyrics by Mort Dixon
Sung by singer in nightclub

User Reviews

Again Magnificent, so sadly almost invisible

My third viewing since it came out. The thing is stirring, romantic. The score and its timing are magnificent. Every frame is part of this masterpiece. Why it never won an academy award, I don't know (I haven't checked what it was up against that year) It's a little small But as I get holder that means less and less when great craft is present, as it is here. All the talent was used and used well. You can see that everyone gave everything they had to their roles. Great cast. The understated (Berman) the overstated (Schultz) The oblivious fearless magnificent love object The kid All great performances Even the smaller parts, the loyal Schultz hit men, Luck Luciano All great and in the team pulling in just the right directions at the right times The photography, perfect. The score, that majestic theme coming in and lifting you up, pulling you along at the right time. Not a gangster movie, more an allegory and morality play. Everyone was an archetype, a representative of basic forces Right, Wrong, Evil, Goodness, Selflessness, Betrayal, Compassion, Desire, Tenderness, Madness, Destiny (played by Luck) It's a mesmerizing movie for anyone prepared to watch a timeless drama. Forget about the gangsters, it's mythic. And it does it by paying insanely close attention to characterization. But thematically (via the writer) and theatrically (via the director) I can't want to forget enough about it to cry again the next time.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 November 1991 (USA)

Also Known As:

Billy Bathgate

Filming Locations:

Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$48,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$4,051,590, 3 November 1991

Gross USA:

$15,565,363

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$15,565,363

Company Credits

Production Co:

Touchstone Pictures, Touchwood Pacific Partners 1

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1