Dunston Checks In (1996)

A young boy befriends a larcenous orangutan in a luxury hotel.

Director:

Ken Kwapis

Writers:

John Hopkins (story), John Hopkins (screenplay)

Stars:

Jason Alexander, Faye Dunaway, Eric Lloyd

4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jason Alexander	...	Robert Grant
Faye Dunaway	...	Mrs. Dubrow
Eric Lloyd	...	Kyle Grant
Rupert Everett	...	Lord Rutledge
Graham Sack	...	Brian Grant
Paul Reubens	...	Buck LaFarge
Glenn Shadix	...	Lionel Spalding
Nathan Davis	...	Victor Dubrow
Jennifer Bassey	...	Mrs. Dellacroce
Judith Scott	...	Nancy
Bruce Beatty	...	Murray
Danny Comden	...	Norm
Steven Gilborn	...	Artie
Lois De Banzie	...	Mrs. Winthrop
Natalie Core	...	Mrs. Feldman

Storyline

Robert's a beleaguered concierge of the luxury hotel owned by Mrs. Dubrow. She tells Robert an undercover reviewer is coming and to look sharp. If he does well he might get a promotion and some time off to take his sons, Brian and Kyle, on vacation. But then the villainous jewel-thief Rutledge checks in with his specially trained orangutan, Dunston. And when Dunston gets loose and tries to escape a life of crime with the help of Brian and Kyle, things go just a little lunatic.

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Plot Keywords:

hotel | orangutan | femme fatale | child protagonist | father son relationship | 

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Taglines:

He's about to turn a Five Star Hotel into a three ring circus.

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Genres:

Comedy | Adventure | Family

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for some mild language and sensuality

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English French

Release Date:

12 January 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

Apestreker

Filming Locations:

Bullocks Wilshire Building, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$9,871,065

Company Credits

Production Co:

Joe Wizan/Todd Black,Twentieth Century Fox

Technical Specs

Runtime:

88 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Jason Alexander who went bald at age 16 had to wear a toupee for the movie.

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Goofs

When Dunston goes into the spa and takes the cucumber off of the woman's face, it remains missing. But when Mr. Grant comes in, the cucumber is back on her face.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Doorman: Welcome to the Majestic Hotel.

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Crazy Credits

During the opening credits, the morning preparations in a luxury hotel are shown. As the credits end, a concierge in a top hat opens the door with the words "Welcome to the Majestic Hotel".

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Connections

Referenced in Suburgatory: T-Ball & Sympathy (2013)

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Soundtracks

Have Fun, Go Mad!
Written by Blair Mackichan and Phil Taylor
Performed by Blair
Courtesy of Mercury Records, Ltd. (London)
by arrangement with PolyGram Film & TV Licensing

User Reviews

A Pleasant Surprise, Especially Dunaway

This was surprisingly entertaining and with a few minor exceptions, very inoffensive family fare. It's another one of those adults-and-kids can enjoy flicks with a number of lines that border on being too much for kids but are still tame for adults - close, but safe. There are also some funny special effects and some good slapstick humor.

Being basically a kids' film, the main child, played by Eric Lloyd is cute but a little too spoiled for me but he's tolerable, as is his brother. Jason Alexander is the father, a very likable subdued guy but a little too lenient.

The real surprise in this cast is Faye Dunaway. Usually playing hard-edged types, she is the opposite in here which is kind of refreshing to see. She shows a nice comedic touch. The chimpanzee is probably the most entertaining, which is the idea, but so is the villain played by Rupert Evert. In other words, there are a lot of likable characters in this movie.

This a "sleeper:" an underrated film that a lot of people would enjoy. I'm sorry it never got much "press."