L.A. Story (1991)

With the help of a talking freeway billboard, a wacky weatherman tries to win the heart of an English newspaper reporter, who is struggling to make sense of the strange world of early 1990s Los Angeles.

Director:

Mick Jackson

Writer:

Steve Martin

Stars:

Steve Martin, Victoria Tennant, Richard E. Grant

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Steve Martin	...	Harris K. Telemacher
Victoria Tennant	...	Sara McDowel
Richard E. Grant	...	Roland Mackey
Marilu Henner	...	Trudi
Sarah Jessica Parker	...	SanDeE*
Susan Forristal	...	Ariel
Kevin Pollak	...	Frank Swan
Sam McMurray	...	Morris Frost
Patrick Stewart	...	Mr. Perdue, Maitre D' at L'Idiot
Andrew Amador	...	Bob, News Anchor
Gail Grate	...	Gail, News Anchor
Eddie De Harp	...	Maitre D' at Brunch (as Eddie DeHarp)
M.C. Shan	...	Rap Waiter at L'Idiot
Frances Fisher	...	June
Iman	...	Cynthia

Storyline

Harris K. Telemacher is a "wacky weekend weatherman" for a local Los Angeles television station, who is searching for meaning in his otherwise cliché ridden Los Angeles life. With the help of an insightful and talkative Freeway sign, Harris embarks on a journey through Los Angeles in pursuit of Sarah, an English reporter who has been sent to the City of Angels to research an article for the London Times.

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Plot Keywords:

television news | 1990s | reversing the polarity | weatherman | television | 

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Taglines:

Something funny is happening in L.A.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Fantasy | Romance

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Certificate:

PG-13

Did You Know?

Trivia

When at lunch, everyone orders a beverage except Iman. She orders a twist of lemon.

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Goofs

After running into Sara and Roland in the museum, Harris picks himself up off the floor saying "I get that," but his lips are clearly saying something else.

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Quotes

Sharon: Whatever you do, don't get dumped in L.A. I mean, it's not like New York, where you can meet someone walking down the street. In L.A. you practically have to hit someone with your car. In fact, I know girls who speed just to meet cops.

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Crazy Credits

Just before the credits begin, the freeway sign flashes the message, "WHAT I REALLY WANT TO DO IS DIRECT"

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Alternate Versions

A deleted scene featuring John Lithgow was reinstated in the cable-tv version of the film.

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Connections

Featured in Los Angeles Plays Itself (2003)

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Soundtracks

Smoke Rings
Written by Ned Washington and H. Eugene Gifford
Performed by Stéphane Grappelli and Django Reinhardt
Courtesy of Vogue Records
By Arrangement with GNP Crescendo Records

User Reviews

Great

Quite similar to Woody Allen's Manhattan, and not quite as good, but pretty close to it. Steve Martin stands for comedy, and this movie is filled with jokes; some very funny others pretty stupid. What I like the most with this film is the acting of Sarah Jessica Parker; she is SO great. Overall, highly watchable.

7 or 8 out of 10.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 February 1991 (USA)

Also Known As:

L.A. Story

Filming Locations:

Spring Street Towers - 650 S. Spring Street, Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$6,616,915, 10 February 1991

Gross USA:

$28,862,081

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$28,862,081

Company Credits

Production Co:

Carolco Pictures, IndieProd Company Productions, L.A. Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1