Oscar (1991)

A gangster attempts to keep the promise he made to his dying father: that he would give up his life of crime and "go straight".

Director:

John Landis

Writers:

Claude Magnier (play), Michael Barrie (screenplay)

Stars:

Sylvester Stallone, Ornella Muti, Peter Riegert

3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Peter Riegert	...	Aldo
Chazz Palminteri	...	Connie
Joey Travolta	...	Ace
Paul Greco	...	Schemer
Sylvester Stallone	...	Angelo 'Snaps' Provolone
Richard Foronjy	...	Knucky
Yvonne De Carlo	...	Aunt Rosa (as Yvonne DeCarlo)
Don Ameche	...	Father Clemente
Richard Romanus	...	Vendetti
Arleen Sorkin	...	Manicurist
Eddie Bracken	...	Five Spot Charlie
Tony Munafo	...	Frankie the Roach
Robert Lesser	...	Officer Keough
Art LaFleur	...	Officer Quinn
Kurtwood Smith	...	Lieutenant Toomey

Storyline

Angelo "Snaps" Provolone made his dying father a promise on his deathbed: he would leave the world of crime and become an honest businessman. Despite having no experience in making money in a legal fashion, Snaps sets about to keep his promise. He is faced with numerous problems: henchmen who know nothing but crime, the police who are convinced he is hatching a master plan, and Oscar, who has just got his daughter pregnant.

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Plot Keywords:

neo screwball comedy | promise | money | dying | husband wife relationship | 

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Taglines:

It's a comedy of criminal proportions!

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Italian

Release Date:

26 April 1991 (USA)

Also Known As:

Оскар

Filming Locations:

USA

Box Office

Budget:

$35,000,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$23,562,716

Company Credits

Production Co:

Joseph S. Vecchio Entertainment, Silver Screen Partners IV, Touchstone Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

109 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

At the AFI Life Achievement Award in 1991 which went to Kirk Douglas, Sylvester Stallone in his tribute to Douglas recalled the filming of the scene where he hits Stallone in the face. After a swing and miss, Stallone jokingly told Douglas to slap him hard. "Let me have your best", whereupon Douglas proceeded to beat Stallone silly. Stallone said "I learned the hard way: never spar with Spartacus".

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Goofs

It is highly unlikely that Snaps's Italian father would have a Byzantine icon hanging on his wall.

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Quotes

Snaps: If it's Poole you want, it's Poole you'll get. But, Lisa, you've *got* to cross the finish line on this one! This is your third fiance today and it ain't even lunch yet!

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Crazy Credits

Face on the Cutting Room Floor ........ Joe Dante

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Connections

Version of Oscar (2008)

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Soundtracks

Finucci Boogie
Performed by Ralph Grierson

User Reviews

A comedic gangster film?? Yes, & it works!

If you love Sly, if you love comedy, if you love gangster films, then this one's for you! It's got all that & more! Marisa Tomei playing Sly's daughter?? It works! The beautiful Italian import, Ornella Muti playing Sly's wife? It works! Chazz Palminteri playing a hood yet once again? That always works! Whatcha got here is 1 Mob Boss (the ever-elegant Sly) tryin' to go straight 'cuz he promised his dying father (Kirk Douglas's cameo), cops who just won't buy it, bankers who can't stand it, a mix-up with "a little black bag", a search for a husband for Sly's daughter, an annoying accountant who skims $$$ off the top to marry Sly's "other daughter, the one that's not Lisa", & this all happens in ONE MORNING!! Ya gotta feel sorry for the guy! How can he cope? He does it - just as Sly as he can be, too!

Buy this one if you can still find it. It's a comedy of 'great ethnic proportions'!