For the Boys (1991)

U.S. entertainer Eddie Sparks wants to bring some fun to the soldiers during World War II and contacts singer/dancer Dixie Leonard for help. They become the perfect team and tour from North... See full summary »

Director:

Mark Rydell

Writers:

Neal Jimenez (story), Lindy Laub (story)

Stars:

Bette Midler, James Caan, George Segal

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Bette Midler	...	Dixie Leonard
James Caan	...	Eddie Sparks
George Segal	...	Art Silver
Patrick O'Neal	...	Shephard
Christopher Rydell	...	Danny Leonard
Arye Gross	...	Jeff Brooks
Norman Fell	...	Sam Schiff
Rosemary Murphy	...	Luanna Trott
Bud Yorkin	...	Phil
Dori Brenner	...	Loretta
Jack Sheldon	...	Wally Fields
Karen Martin	...	Victoria Lee
Shannon Wilcox	...	Margaret Sparks
Michael Greene	...	Maj. Gen. Scott
Melissa Manchester	...	Corrine

Storyline

U.S. entertainer Eddie Sparks wants to bring some fun to the soldiers during World War II and contacts singer/dancer Dixie Leonard for help. They become the perfect team and tour from North Africa to the Pacific to perform for "the boys." They continue their work after the war, but when Eddie fires author Silver for getting involved in McCarthy's campaign, Dixie also turns away from him.

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Plot Keywords:

singer | entertainer | dancer | korean war | woman | 

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Taglines:

Laughter and tears. Tragedy and triumph. They lived it all. For the boys.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Music

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language

Did You Know?

Trivia

Many reviewers noted that James Caan seemed miscast in the role of comedian Eddie Sparks (a caricature of Bob Hope) and wondered why co-star George Segal, who, as an actor, had proved equally adept at comedy and drama, wasn't cast in the role instead. The truth is that Caan's career was hot again after the success of Misery (1990), and Segal was not, so Caan got the lead, and Segal the supporting role.

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Goofs

During a skit on an early Fifties TV variety show, Dixie makes an off-handed joke about group sex that would have triggered a major scandal had it really been broadcast during that era.

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Quotes

Eddie: What? we're short... oh time. Two minutes time. Well, Dixie do you have any ideas of what we can do in two minutes?
Dixie: Not unless your part rabbit.

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Connections

Featured in The 64th Annual Academy Awards (1992)

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Soundtracks

Do You Believe
Written by James Cammarata, Francis Preve and Michael Licata
Performed by Beat Goes Bang

User Reviews

(7/10) Midler shines in epic tearjerker

"For The Boys" is the story of two people - the irrepressible Dixie Leonard (Bette Midler) and the instantly dislikable but ever popular Eddie Sparks (James Caan). Set against the backdrop of wars in which the United States has been involved, the film moves from station to station as the pair entertain the boys while they bicker and fight amongst themselves.

The film starts with an aged Midler telling a studio assistant (Arye Gross) her tale, starting in the forties with World War II, moving through the was in Korea and climaxing in Vietnam. Along the way, she gets to sing a few classic tunes, including "Stuff Like That There" and "P.S. I Love You, as part of the stage act of comedian Eddie Sparks.

Bette Midler delivers a fine performance as the embittered Dixie Leonard who has seen it all in fifty odd years in the business. She layers her performance with emotion after emotion and has the gift of bringing out that quality in her fellow actors. The highlight of this film is her understated performance of "In My Life" at the small Vietnamese camp - truly a moment when the world stops turning and we are graced with a glimpse of heaven. James Caan, playing a quintessential son of a bitch, is less comfortable in his role but has some fine moments opposite his dynamic co-star.

The purpose of this film is not to document the wars which form such an integral backdrop to the plot. It succeeds primarily as a story of people - their suffering and their joy is real and it affects the audience in no uncertain terms. You will either love or hate this movie. Either way, take the time to decide - its worth the screening even if only for the divine Miss M.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 November 1991 (USA)

Also Known As:

For the Boys

Filming Locations:

Santa Clarita, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$40,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$71,348, 24 November 1991

Gross USA:

$17,860,280

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$23,202,444

Company Credits

Production Co:

All Girl Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

138 min

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) Dolby SR (35 mm prints) CDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1