With the help of the singer and dancer Dixie Leonhard, U.S. entertainer Eddie Sparks wants to bring some fun to the soldiers during World War II. Becoming a perfect team, they tour from ...
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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 | |
Edit
Plot Summary
|
Add Synopsis
Storyline
With the help of the singer and dancer Dixie Leonhard, U.S. entertainer Eddie Sparks wants to bring some fun to the soldiers during World War II. Becoming a perfect team, they tour from North Africa to the Pacific to act for "the boys". Later, they continue their work, but when the author Silver gets involved into McCarthy's campaign, and is being fired by Eddie, Dixie turns away from him, too. Written by Volker Boehm
Taglines:
Laughter and tears. Tragedy and triumph. They lived it all. For the boys.Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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See more on IMDbPro »
See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
27 November 1991 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Por los muchachos See more »Edit
Box Office
Budget:
$40,000,000 (estimated)Gross USA:
$17,860,280Cumulative Worldwide Gross:
$23,202,444Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Color:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1
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Loretta: Chloroform.
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
After the release of the movie, Martha Raye claimed publicly that the character Bette Midler portrayed was plagiarized from her own career, and especially the efforts she had made during several wars. Raye sought compensation in court, but after hearing the evidence of both sides, the judge decided that Raye did not have a case. See more »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. See more »Quotes
Wally Fields: What would I have to give you for one little kiss?Loretta: Chloroform.
See more »
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"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.