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:

brother brother relationship | air duct | hotel owner | concierge | vacation | 

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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

Did You Know?

Trivia

Some of the interior New York hotel scenes were filmed in Los Angeles at the old Bullocks Wilshire Building, which is no longer open. Others were also filmed at the Dorchester Hotel in London.

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Goofs

When Dunston jumps through the hotel roof garden window there's no glass left in but when the hunter looks through the window there are large shards left in the frame.

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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 The Adam and Joe Show: Episode #1.3 (1996)

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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

Funny

First, let me say what this is not. This is not a movie with high artistic quality. Even when one reminds oneself of the fact that it is meant as a simple comedy, probably a family comedy, it still has a plot with too many coincidences (so many that they become predictable - now the monkey is here, she will not be looking, but when it's gone, and the man comes in, she will) and flat, caricatural characters. But it also is not supposed to be a high-quality movie. It's supposed to be funny.

And funny it is. The movie is full of funny ideas, all worked out in a good, classy manner. Even the basest of jokes are done in good style. Just relax - and laugh. And you'll keep laughing through most of the movie. The monkey (that's a negative point - technically an urang utan is an ape, not a monkey) is well in its place as a comedy actor, and as said - the ideas are good, the working-out is even better.

Not 'the best movie you'll ever see', not even close. Not a 'must-see movie'. But a very pleasant way to spend 90 minutes. And enjoyable for both adults and children, that's worth something too.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English French

Release Date:

12 January 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

Dunston Checks In

Filming Locations:

Bullocks Wilshire Building, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$2,996,891, 14 January 1996

Gross USA:

$9,871,065

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$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