Kansas City (1996)

A pair of kidnappings expose the complex power dynamics within the corrupt and unpredictable workings of 1930s Kansas City.

Director:

Robert Altman

Writers:

Robert Altman, Frank Barhydt

Stars:

Jennifer Jason Leigh, Miranda Richardson, Harry Belafonte

3 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jennifer Jason Leigh	...	Blondie O'Hara
Miranda Richardson	...	Carolyn Stilton
Harry Belafonte	...	Seldom Seen
Michael Murphy	...	Henry Stilton
Dermot Mulroney	...	Johnny O'Hara
Steve Buscemi	...	Johnny Flynn
Brooke Smith	...	Babe Flynn
Jane Adams	...	Nettie Bolt
Jeff Feringa	...	Addie Parker
A.C. Tony Smith	...	Sheepshan Red (as A.C. Smith)
Martin Martin	...	'Blue' Green
Albert J. Burnes	...	Charlie Parker
Ajia Mignon Johnson	...	Pearl Cummings
Tim Snay	...	Rally Speaker
Tawanna Benbow	...	Rose

Storyline

Robert Altman's jazz-scored film explores themes of love, crime, race, and politics in 1930s Kansas City. When Blondie O'Hara's husband, a petty thief, is captured by Seldom Seen and held at the Hey Hey Club, she launches a desperate plan to release him. She kidnaps the wife of a powerful local politician in an attempt to blackmail him into using his connections to free Johnny. Despite this being election time, he risks exposure by putting the political machine into action to free Johnny and thereby save his wife. Mrs. Stilton, meanwhile, has befriended Blondie and is impressed by her love and devotion to Johnny, especially in contrast to her own loveless marriage.

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Plot Keywords:

1930s | kansas city missouri | female frontal nudity | breasts | scantily clad female | 

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Taglines:

Kansas City, 1934. Anything could happen here. One night it did.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Music | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language, and for some violence and drug use

Details

Official Sites:

Fine Line

Country:

USA France

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 August 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

Канзас Сити

Filming Locations:

Kansas City, Kansas, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$19,000,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$1,356,329

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,356,828

Company Credits

Production Co:

CiBy 2000, Sandcastle 5 Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

116 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Robert Altman grew up in Kansas City.

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Goofs

When Governor Guy Park is telephoned about the kidnapping, he suggests notifying the state police. Missouri has no state police (only Highway Patrol).

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Quotes

Seldom Seen: You have to understand Sheepshan. He's a loser. And losers've got to be respected. They're the backbone of my business. They're my customers, and I take good care of my customers.

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Connections

Featured in Talking Pictures: Barry Norman (2017)

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Soundtracks

Blues in the Dark
Written by Count Basie (as William 'Count' Basie), Jimmy Rushing (as James Rushing)
Arranged by Steven Bernstein

User Reviews

Altman at his best!

Kansas City is absolutely stunning! Jazz is played practically throughout the entire movie, and one scene in particular could have gone on forever as far as I'm concerned. You'll know which scene I mean when you see it! A real get up and jump 10 minutes or so. Jennifer Jason Leigh was at her best. It was a complex role and her development of the character was incredible. Belefonte was chilling! Altman really picked up a sense of the time and place. This is a must see for jazz fans.