Radio Flyer (1992)

A father recounts a dark period of his childhood when he and his little brother lived in the suburbs.

Directors:

Richard Donner, David Mickey Evans (uncredited)

Writer:

David Mickey Evans (as David M. Evans)

Stars:

Lorraine Bracco, John Heard, Adam Baldwin

1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Lorraine Bracco	...	Mary
John Heard	...	Daugherty
Adam Baldwin	...	The King
Elijah Wood	...	Mike
Joseph Mazzello	...	Bobby
Ben Johnson	...	Geronimo Bill
Sean Baca	...	Fisher
Robert Munic	...	Older Fisher
Garette Ratliff Henson	...	Chad (as Garette Ratliff)
Thomas Ian Nicholas	...	Ferdie
Noah Verduzco	...	Victor Hernandez
Isaac Ocampo	...	Jorge Hernandez
Kaylan Romero	...	Jesus Hernandez
Abraham Verduzco	...	Carlos Hernandez
T.J. Evans	...	Big Raymond

Storyline

A father reminisces about his childhood when he and his younger brother moved to a new town with their mother, her new husband and their dog, Shane. When the younger brother is subjected to physical abuse at the hands of their brutal stepfather, Mike decides to convert their toy trolley, the "Radio Flyer", into a plane to fly him to safety.

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Plot Keywords:

radio flyer | physical abuse | stepfather stepson relationship | told in flashback | mother son relationship | 

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Taglines:

Powered by imagination.

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for theme (child abuse) and violence

Details

Official Sites:

The Joseph Mazzello Fan Page, Radio Flyer

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 February 1992 (USA)

Also Known As:

The King of Pacoima

Filming Locations:

Hamilton Air Base, Ignacio, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$35,000,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$4,651,977

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures, Stonebridge Entertainment, Donner/Shuler-Donner Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

114 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Writer David Mickey Evans has stated that the script was much darker than the final film, and the child abuse angle was more prominent. When the film was taken over by Richard Donner, those elements were toned down. He also felt that the studio marketing "Radio Flyer" as a family film was a factor for the film's failure at the box-office.

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Goofs

When they first arrive to find that Bobby has flown away, the walkie talkie antennae is bent. When they show Mike and his mom it's straight again.

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Quotes

Older Mike: History is all in the mind of the teller. Truth is all in the telling.

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Connections

Features Frankenstein (1931)

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Soundtracks

Why Don't You Love Me
Written and Performed by Hank Williams
Courtesy of Polygram Special Products, a division of Polygram Group Distribution, Inc.

User Reviews

A Fantastic Ending

Most people dislike this movie because of the ending. That is because of their own limited imaginations, a point I think Richard Donner was trying to make throughout the movie. They try to criticize the film on their own miotic interpretation. Americans aren't used to the subtle, especially from the Lethal Donner. I think those people need to watch it again, and especially pay attention to the narration. Truth is in the mind of the beholder. The movie is about the innocence of childhood- the grandness of being naive and imaginative-being ripped apart by an abusive adult. Just as they never REALLY seen the boogie man, Bobby never REALLY flew away. Mike deceived himself into believing that his brother flew away to hide from the fact that his brother died. Listen to his words, and watch his mother. It is very subtle, and I have had this argument 100 times before (see, I have only had it probably 5 times but I have deceived myself into thinking it is many more). Don't feel bad. I have found that only 1 out of 10 people that have seen the movie