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 (as John Bolger)

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:

switched at birth | writer | soap opera | new york city | cleveland ohio | 

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Taglines:

Not Based on a True Story.

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Genres:

Comedy | Fantasy

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 August 1991 (USA)

Also Known As:

Delirante

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$18,000,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$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

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

When Jack Gates (Robert Wagner) arrives to shoot Jack Gable (John Candy) after fixing his typewriter, Gable is already heard typing, but the shot reveals nothing on the typewriter.

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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

Featured in John Candy: Comic Spirit (2005)

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Soundtracks

HUNGARIAN RHAPSODY NO. 2 IN C-SHARP MINOR
Written by Franz Liszt
Performed by Leonard Pennario
Courtesy of Angel/EMI, a division of Capitol Records, Inc.
By Arrangement with CEMA Special Markets

User Reviews

Soap Opera fantasy/spoof - typical John Candy comedy but not his best

Slightly along the lines of My Aunt Julia and the Scriptwriter but the other way around and with fantasy rather than contrivance, with similar comedy and cheesy soap opera acting/story lines. It's silly, ridiculous but typical of soap opera shenanigans and it's quite a good spoof in that regard. John Candy is typical John Candy and everyone else is over-the-top, including Robert Wagner as himself and Raymond Burr in a comedic role, and Jerry Orbach too!

Delirious is a crazy romp set in a fantasy town created by a lovesick soap opera scriptwriter. In a concussion-induced delirium Jack Gable (Candy) thinks he's inside his own soap opera and uses his writing to make himself into a dashing hero. It's Hollywood schmaltz but rather enjoyable and good for silly giggles. Lots of silly stunts (pretty impressive horsemanship) but shockingly bad sound/dubbing and there's lots of holes in the production. Overall a nice rainy afternoon watch. Wouldn't recommend it or necessarily watch it again although I really like John Candy, however, this was by no means Uncle Buck.