Lost in Yonkers (1993)

In the summer of 1942, two young boys are sent to stay with their stern grandmother and their childlike aunt in Yonkers, New York.

Director:

Martha Coolidge

Writers:

Neil Simon (screenplay by), Neil Simon (based on his play)

Stars:

Richard Dreyfuss, Mercedes Ruehl, Irene Worth

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Richard Dreyfuss	...	Louie
Mercedes Ruehl	...	Bella
Irene Worth	...	Grandma
Brad Stoll	...	Jay
Mike Damus	...	Arty
David Strathairn	...	Johnny
Robert Miranda	...	Hollywood Harry (as Robert Guy Miranda)
Jack Laufer	...	Eddie
Susan Merson	...	Gert
Illya Haase	...	Harry's Crony
Calvin Stillwell	...	Gas Station Attendant
Richard Hagerman	...	Truck Driver (as Dick Hagerman)
Jesse Vincent	...	Danny
Howard Newstate	...	Kid in Store
Peter Gannon	...	Cop

Storyline

In 1942 in the Bronx, Evelyn Kurnitz has just passed away following a lengthy illness. Her husband, Eddie Kurnitz, needs to take a job as a traveling salesman to pay off the medical bills incurred, and decides to ask his stern and straight talking mother, from who he is slightly estranged, if his two early-teen sons, Jay and Arty (who their Grandma call by their full given names, Yakob and Arthur), can live with her and their Aunt Bella Kurnitz in Yonkers. She reluctantly agrees after a threat by Bella. Despite their Grandma owning and operating a candy store, Jay and Arty don't like their new living situation as they're afraid of their Grandma, and find it difficult to relate to their crazy Aunt Bella, whose slow mental state is manifested by perpetual excitability and a short attention span, which outwardly comes across as a childlike demeanor. Into their collective lives returns one of Eddie and Bella's other siblings, Louie Kurnitz, a henchman for some gangsters. He is hiding out ...

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Plot Keywords:

literature on screen | american literature on screen | humoristic literature on screen | american humoristic literature on screen | 20th century literature on screen | 

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Taglines:

This summer there's no better place to find yourself.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for thematic elements and mild language

Did You Know?

Trivia

The last movie to have the 1981 Columbia logo.

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Goofs

The movie is supposedly set in 1942 but some of the cars seen in the movie are post World War II models. For example, when Bella is hanging up laundry out in the yard.

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Quotes

Johnny: I wanna join the Army.
Aunt Bella: The Army? *Our* Army?
Johnny: Yeah! But they wouldn't take me. I couldn't pass the, the - hatever they give you I couldn't pass.

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Connections

References Destination Unknown (1942)

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Soundtracks

Now Voyager
Written by Max Steiner
Courtesy of Turner Entertainment Co.

User Reviews

Most Underrated Film of All-Time

After a triumphant run on Broadway, the film adaptation of "Lost In Yonkers" was completely snubbed at all of the major film awards ceremonies. Neil Simon's classic is brilliantly written and the direction is so simple, yet very subtle. But what really makes the film work is the performances. Dreyfuss is no Kevin Spacey, but does what he can with the role. The two boys are played expertly by their respective actors. Irene Worth reprises her Tony-award winning role and I thank god for that. She is spectacular as the stern grandmother.

But the stand-out here is Mercedes Ruehl. The woman delivers one of the most underrated performances in film history as Aunt Bella. She won a Tony, why no Oscar? Seriously, she is *that* good. Ruehl delivers such a magnificent performance as the slightly disturbed woman. She really should have two Oscars on her mantle.

GRADE: A ACTING: A WRITING: A+ DIRECTING: B MVP: RUEHL

Details

Official Sites:

Sony Movie Channel [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 May 1993 (USA)

Also Known As:

Lost in Yonkers

Filming Locations:

Augusta, Kentucky, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$15,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$3,002,150, 16 May 1993

Gross USA:

$9,285,189

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$9,285,189

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures, Rastar Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

114 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1