Delirious (1991)

A soap opera writer gets hit on the head and wakes up as a character in his own show.

Director:

Tom Mankiewicz

Writers:

Lawrence J. Cohen, Fred Freeman

Stars:

John Candy, Mariel Hemingway, Emma Samms

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
John Candy	...	Jack Gable
Mariel Hemingway	...	Janet Dubois / Louise
Emma Samms	...	Rachel Hedison / Laura Claybourne
Raymond Burr	...	Carter Hedison
Dylan Baker	...	Blake Hedison
Charles Rocket	...	Ty Hedison
David Rasche	...	Dr. Paul Kirkwood / Dennis
Andrea Thompson	...	Nurse Helen Caldwell
Zach Grenier	...	Mickey
Jerry Orbach	...	Lou Sherwood
Renée Taylor	...	Arlene Sherwood
Milt Oberman	...	Fetterman
Mark Boone Junior	...	Cable Man
Tony Steedman	...	Edward - the Butler
John Michael Bolger	...	Len

Storyline

Jack is the head writer for a successful soap opera, and he's sweet on the show's star, lovely Laura. It's easy for everyone but Jack to see that she's playing him for a sap. But a conk on the head brings Jack some new insights - and some new powers. He finds himself in Ashford Falls, site of his fictional soap opera -- and everything he writes comes true! It's a fantastic opportunity to get Rachel, Laura's character, to fall in love with him. But life isn't easy even in the fictional world, and even when you're the author!

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Plot Keywords:

car accident | hospital | vinyl record | breaking a vinyl record | record collector | 

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Taglines:

Not Based on a True Story.

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Genres:

Comedy | Fantasy

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

Jack Gable (John Candy) produces a rare Nat 'King' Cole record that appears three more times in the movie. It plays in the deli for Jack and Janet (Mariel Hemingway'), Blake (Dylan Baker) fans himself with it at the auction and it plays again when Jack returns to the deli at the end.

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Goofs

All of the main characters attend an auction under a banner dated "Saturday, April 14." Later in the day, Carter Hedison goes home to wait for the cable guy and watches a college football game between Harvard and Yale. However, college football is played in the fall, not the spring.

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Quotes

[watching a scene from "Beyond Our Dreams"]
Cable Man: Geez, what a body!
Jack Gable: Laura is more than a body.
Cable Man: Laura?
Jack Gable: Laura Claybourne, she plays Rachel.
Cable Man: Sorry, you must really follow this shit.
Jack Gable: No, I write this shit.

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Crazy Credits

The opening credits appear as if they are being typed on a typewriter, including some mistakes (cross-outs, use of white out, etc.).

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Connections

References Wheel of Fortune (1983)

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Soundtracks

SWEET LORRAINE
Written by Mitchell Parish and Cliff Burwell
Published by Mills Music, Inc. (ASCAP)

User Reviews

Good By John Candy Standards

A soap opera writer (John Candy) gets hit on the head and wakes up as a character in his own show.

I have to say I am not generally a fan of John Candy's films. Some are better than others, but I never think of his as a starring role kind of guy. This film was different. I guess it flopped, but I am not sure why -- it is clever, charming and an overall fun little film. I would recommend to friends and family.

The whole concept of a writer being able to write his world is awesome, and while it has been done elsewhere, I am not sure it has ever been done with such wit as it was here. I mean, really... cold deer? Hilarious.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 August 1991 (USA)

Also Known As:

Delirious

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$18,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$1,803,059, 11 August 1991

Gross USA:

$5,546,827

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$5,546,827

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), Star Partners III Ltd.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1