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

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

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Goofs

During the Royal Suite scene, the shirt under Kyle's overalls changes. Even if one assumed that Kyle "packed an extra shirt" when they brought Dunston to the suite, the shirt change would still be an editing error as the shirt changes twice AFTER Kyle takes a bath.

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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 Honest Trailers: Planet of the Apes (2001) (2014)

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Soundtracks

Ooh-Wow
Written by Roy E. Montrell and Robert 'Bumps' Blackwell (as Robert Blackwell)
Performed by Buckwheat Zydeco
Courtesy of Island Records, Inc.
by arrangement with PolyGram Film & TV Licensing

User Reviews

Dunaway checks in, out, and around

After a career entailing "Bonnie and Clyde", "Little Big Man", "Chinatown", "Three Days of the Condor" and "Network", might it seem really low for Faye Dunaway to act in a movie like "Dunston Checks In"? Maybe, but the movie pretty much understands what sort of movie it is: silly, harmless fun. As it is, Faye Dunaway plays the same kind of character that she played in "Network", only bitchier. And if it seems that I try too hard to analyze a movie like this, so be it. Above all, I still consider Faye Dunaway REALLY hot! And I'm sure that I always will.

Also starring Jason Alexander, Rupert Everett and Paul Reubens (aka Pee-Wee Herman).

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