Drop Dead Fred (1991)

A young woman finds her already unstable life rocked by the presence of a rambunctious imaginary friend from childhood.

Director:

Ate de Jong (as Ate De Jong)

Writers:

Elizabeth Livingston (story), Carlos Davis

Stars:

Phoebe Cates, Rik Mayall, Marsha Mason

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Phoebe Cates	...	Elizabeth 'Lizzie' Cronin
Rik Mayall	...	Drop Dead Fred
Marsha Mason	...	Polly Cronin
Tim Matheson	...	Charles
Carrie Fisher	...	Janie
Keith Charles	...	Murray
Ashley Peldon	...	Young Elizabeth
Daniel Gerroll	...	Nigel Cronin
Ron Eldard	...	Mickey Bunce
Eleanor Mondale	...	Attractive Customer
Bob Reid	...	Judge Dubben
Peter Thoemke	...	Arsonist
Sjoukje De Jong Douma	...	Grandma Bunce
Paul Holmes	...	Man in Speedboat
Steve Cochran	...	Waiter #1

Storyline

A young woman who's attempting to find her place in the world battles with her controlling mother and a womanizing husband finds comfort and confusion with the appearance of her childhood friend. It is a zappy movie that emphasizes self-actualization.

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Plot Keywords:

imaginary friend | bedtime story | domineering mother | adulterous husband | self discovery | 

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Taglines:

Let Him Out!

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Fantasy

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Certificate:

PG-13

Details

Country:

USA UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 May 1991 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Culpa é do Fred

Filming Locations:

2014 Humboldt Avenue South, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$6,788,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$43,878,334

Company Credits

Production Co:

PolyGram Filmed Entertainment,Working Title Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Kerri Green, Molly Ringwald, Julia Roberts, Winona Ryder and Lea Thompson were all considered for the role of Elizabeth.

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Goofs

When Fred is in the engine room of the houseboat, you can see the paddle wheel in the background moving back and forth while the boat is still moving forward

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Quotes

[first lines]
Polly: And the prince took the beautiful young girl in his arms and said, will you marry me? Yes, she whispered, I will be your princess.
Young Elizabeth: Did they live happily ever after?
Polly: Of course, Elizabeth.
[tucking her in]
Young Elizabeth: How do you know?
Polly: Because she was a good little girl. If she had been naughty, the prince would have run away.
Young Elizabeth: What a pile of shit!

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Connections

Referenced in Supernatural: Just My Imagination (2015)

User Reviews

Those of us who can relate LOVE THIS MOVIE

For those of us who had or have a mother like that portrayed so brilliantly by Marsha Mason, and felt insignificant and controlled, like Phoebe Cate's character, we understand this movie and it speaks loudly to us. I love this movie and used to watch it whenever I was feeling a bit down. It cheered me up every time. It's a carefree, fun ride that reminds us that all will not fall apart if everything isn't perfect. Do you remember FUN?

Every actor in this movie owned their character perfectly. I particularly love the scene when Carrie Fisher pretends to throttle Drop Dead Fred. She gets it. She plays along. She believes in her friend that she loves.

There are many very memorable funny lines in this movie. COBWEBS for one!

This is THE PERFECT MOVIE.