A pair of kidnappings expose the complex power dynamics within the corrupt and unpredictable workings of 1930s Kansas City.
Director:
Writers:
Awards:
- 3 wins & 1 nomination.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| Jennifer Jason Leigh | ... |
Blondie O'Hara
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| Miranda Richardson | ... |
Carolyn Stilton
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| Harry Belafonte | ... |
Seldom Seen
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| Michael Murphy | ... |
Henry Stilton
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| Dermot Mulroney | ... |
Johnny O'Hara
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| Steve Buscemi | ... |
Johnny Flynn
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| Brooke Smith | ... |
Babe Flynn
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| Jane Adams | ... |
Nettie Bolt
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Jeff Feringa | ... |
Addie Parker
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A.C. Tony Smith | ... |
Sheepshan Red
(as A.C. Smith)
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Martin Martin | ... |
'Blue' Green
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Albert J. Burnes | ... |
Charlie Parker
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Ajia Mignon Johnson | ... |
Pearl Cummings
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| Tim Snay | ... |
Rally Speaker
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Tawanna Benbow | ... |
Rose
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Cal Pritner | ... |
Governor Park
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Jerry Fornelli | ... |
Tom Pendergast
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| Michael Ornstein | ... |
Jackie Ciro
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Michael Garozzo | ... |
Charlie Gargotta
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Joe Digirolamo | ... |
John Lazia
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| John Durbin | ... |
Gas Station Attendant
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| Gina Belafonte | ... |
Hey-Hey Club Hostess
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Nancy Marcy | ... |
Telegraph Operator
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| Buck Baker | ... |
Train Station Agent
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Dorothy Kemp-Clark | ... |
Mrs. Bruce
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Edward Pennington | ... |
Governor Park's Butler
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Robert Elliott | ... |
Lazia Man
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| Marlon Hoffman | ... |
Lazia Man
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Patrick Oldani | ... |
Lazia Man
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Philip Trovato | ... |
Lazia Man
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James Carter | ... |
Hey-Hey Club Musician: Tenor Saxophone
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Craig Handy | ... |
Hey-Hey Club Musician: Tenor Saxophone
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David Murray | ... |
Hey-Hey Club Musician: Tenor Saxophone
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| Joshua Redman | ... |
Hey-Hey Club Musician: Tenor Saxophone
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Jesse Davis | ... |
Hey-Hey Club Musician: Alto Saxophone
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David 'Fathead' Newman Jr. | ... |
Hey-Hey Club Musician: Alto Saxophone
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Don Byron | ... |
Hey-Hey Club Musician: Clarinet / Baritone Saxophone
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Olu Dara | ... |
Hey-Hey Club Musician: Trumpet
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Nicholas Payton | ... |
Hey-Hey Club Musician: Trumpet
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James Zollar | ... |
Hey-Hey Club Musician: Trumpet
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Curtis Fowlkes | ... |
Hey-Hey Club Musician: Trombone
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| Clark Gayton | ... |
Hey-Hey Club Musician: Trombone
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Victor Lewis | ... |
Hey-Hey Club Musician: Drums
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Geri Allen | ... |
Hey-Hey Club Musician: Piano
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Cyrus Chestnut | ... |
Hey-Hey Club Musician: Piano
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| Ron Carter | ... |
Hey-Hey Club Musician: Bass
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Tyrone Clark | ... |
Hey-Hey Club Musician: Bass
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| Christian McBride | ... |
Hey-Hey Club Musician: Bass
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Russell Malone | ... |
Hey-Hey Club Musician: Guitar
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Mark Whitfield | ... |
Hey-Hey Club Musician: Guitar
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Kevin Mahogany | ... |
Hey-Hey Club Musician: Vocalist
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
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Paul Anselmo | ... |
Gangster (uncredited)
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Glenn Bartlett | ... |
Union Station Man in Derby (uncredited)
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| Michael Chiles | ... |
Train Patron (uncredited)
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| Cameron DeVictor | ... |
Gangster (uncredited)
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| Ron Licari | ... |
Bar drunk (uncredited)
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David McKay | ... |
Hey-Hey Club Musician - Baritone Saxophone (uncredited)
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| Gerald McWilliams | ... |
Western Union Courier (uncredited)
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John Pritchett | ... |
Phone Clerk (uncredited)
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| Andrew Patrick Ralston | ... |
Flynn's Man (uncredited)
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Jason Ray | ... |
Businessman (uncredited)
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| Tim Wrobel | ... |
Pendergast Voter (uncredited)
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Directed by
| Robert Altman | ||
Written by
| Robert Altman | ... | (written by) & |
| Frank Barhydt | ... | (written by) |
Produced by
| Robert Altman | ... | producer |
| Scott Bushnell | ... | executive producer |
| James McLindon | ... | associate producer |
| Matthew Seig | ... | co-producer |
| David C. Thomas | ... | co-producer |
Cinematography by
| Oliver Stapleton | ||
Editing by
| Geraldine Peroni | ||
Editorial Department
| Keiko Deguchi | ... | first assistant editor |
| Sheila MacDowell | ... | first assistant editor |
| Mike Mertens | ... | color timer |
| Pablo Prietto | ... | apprentice editor |
| William Yeh | ... | second assistant editor |
| John Marston | ... | assistant editor (uncredited) |
Casting By
| Elisabeth Leustig | ||
Production Design by
| Stephen Altman | ||
Art Direction by
| Richard L. Johnson | ||
Set Decoration by
| Susan Emshwiller | ... | (as Susan J. Emshwiller) |
Costume Design by
| Dona Granata | ||
Makeup Department
| Leslie Ann Anderson | ... | assistant hair stylist |
| Laurie Foglia | ... | assistant makeup artist |
| Ferdinando Merolla | ... | assistant hair stylist |
| Vonda K. Morris | ... | assistant makeup artist |
| Aldo Signoretti | ... | key hair stylist |
| Micheline Trépanier | ... | key makeup artist (as Micheline Trepanier) |
| Cheryl Eckert | ... | hair stylist (uncredited) |
Production Management
| David C. Thomas | ... | unit production manager |
| John A. Amicarella | ... | post-production supervisor (uncredited) |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| David Ascher | ... | dga trainee (as D. Laemmle Ascher) |
| David Bryant | ... | additional second assistant director |
| Stephen P. Dunn | ... | first assistant director (as Stephen Dunn) |
| Alexandra E. Perce | ... | second assistant director |
| Christina Stauffer | ... | second second assistant director (as Tina Stauffer) |
Art Department
| Matthew R. Altman | ... | lead man |
| Dawn Brown | ... | set designer |
| John Bucklin | ... | construction coordinator |
| Molly Click | ... | art department coordinator |
| David D. Connolly | ... | construction foreman |
| Jason Davis | ... | on-set dresser |
| Loretta Dungan | ... | sign painter |
| Jeni Edwards | ... | set dresser |
| Leon Ericksen | ... | set detailer |
| Rick Evans | ... | property restoration |
| Stephen Goldblatt | ... | lead scenic |
| Ted Haigh | ... | assistant art director |
| Phil Irwin | ... | set dresser |
| Geri Lamer | ... | draper |
| Ron Licari | ... | assistant property master |
| Anthony Maccario | ... | property master |
| Lisa Miller | ... | on-set dresser |
| Lisa Maria Miller | ... | on-set dresser |
| Shawna Mull | ... | sign painter |
| Jeff Owens | ... | construction coordinator (as Jeff T. Owens) |
| Daniel C. Rothenberg | ... | lead man |
| Jane Savage | ... | construction accountant (as Jane Harlow) |
| Robin L. Schillaci | ... | set dresser |
| Ken Smith | ... | second assistant property |
| Wayne Springfield | ... | construction foreman |
| Thomas R. Stiller | ... | set designer |
| Donna Leigh Tatum | ... | set dresser |
| Aaron Ali Tichenor | ... | set dresser |
| Naython Vane | ... | set dresser |
| Chandler Vinar | ... | set dresser |
| Jason Davis | ... | on set dresser (uncredited) |
| Don Foote | ... | signs painter (uncredited) |
| Allan B. Holt | ... | art department assistant (uncredited) |
| Robert Tanenbaum | ... | movie poster artist (uncredited) |
Sound Department
| Catherine Calleson | ... | first assistant sound |
| Patrick Disanto | ... | sound editor |
| Christopher Flick | ... | foley editor |
| Gary Gegan | ... | re-recording mixer |
| Michael Haight | ... | dialogue editor |
| Matthew Iadarola | ... | re-recording mixer |
| Richard King | ... | supervising sound editor |
| Cliff Latimer | ... | adr supervisor |
| Patricio A. Libenson | ... | sound effects editor (as Patricio Libenson) |
| James Matheny | ... | dialogue editor (as Jim Matheny) |
| John Pritchett | ... | production sound |
| Rocky Quiroz | ... | cable person |
| David M. Roberts | ... | boom operator |
| Joel Shryack | ... | assistant sound |
Special Effects by
| Sam Barkan | ... | special effects coordinator |
| Bruce A. Strong | ... | special effects foreman |
Stunts
| Michael Adams | ... | stunts (as Mike Adams) |
| Mark Fulks | ... | stunts |
| Steve Kelso | ... | stunt driver / stunts |
| Grady Walker | ... | stunts |
| Greg Walker | ... | stunt coordinator |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Robert Reed Altman | ... | camera operator |
| Eric D. Andersen | ... | additional camera operator |
| Mark Bracewell | ... | best boy electric |
| Roger Branit | ... | second assistant camera |
| Scotty Childers | ... | key rigging grip |
| Kevin Fahey | ... | grip (as Kevin J. Fahey) |
| Michael James Fahey | ... | best boy grip (as Michael J. Fahey) |
| Patrick C. Huerter | ... | film loader |
| Tommy Lohmann | ... | focus puller |
| Joseph Mandacina | ... | additional camera operator |
| Anthony T. Marra II | ... | key grip |
| Michael A. McFadden | ... | grip (as Mike McFadden) |
| David A. Parks | ... | electrician |
| Larry S. Prinz | ... | chief lighting technician (as Larry Prinz) |
| Eli Reed | ... | still photographer |
| Herbert A. Rook | ... | swing rigger |
| Roycee Schlotzhauer | ... | electrician |
| Ed Seaman | ... | electrician |
| Richard Speed | ... | electrician |
| Wayne Stroud | ... | dolly grip |
| James B. Walsh | ... | best boy rigging grip |
| Kevin Welsh | ... | electrician |
| Steven G. Fracol | ... | steadicam operator: fx shots (uncredited) |
| Edward Stencel | ... | second assistant camera (uncredited) |
Casting Department
| Linda Baska | ... | casting assistant |
| William Sell | ... | casting assistant (as William J. Sell) |
| Peter Slowey | ... | casting assistant |
| Heather Laird | ... | casting: Kansas City (uncredited) |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Amy Emmrich-Selby | ... | wardrobe production assistant |
| Mitzi Haralson | ... | set costumer |
| Tom Houchins | ... | costumer |
| Chrisi Karvonides-Dushenko | ... | assistant costume designer |
| Denise Martinez | ... | costume supervisor (as Denise L. Martinez) |
| Eleanor Patton | ... | costumer |
| Robin Roberts | ... | costumer |
| Barbara Ann Altman | ... | additional wardrobe (uncredited) |
Location Management
| Rick Cowan | ... | location manager |
| John 'Fletch' Fletcher | ... | location assistant |
| Wendy Gray | ... | location manager |
| Jennifer Melching | ... | location assistant |
| Greg Ovard | ... | location manager |
| Scott Schudy | ... | assistant location manager |
| Scott Zipp | ... | location assistant |
| John Marston | ... | location projectionist: replacement (uncredited) |
Music Department
| Steven Bernstein | ... | associate music producer |
| Charlie Bouis | ... | assistant music recording engineer |
| Eimear Bradbury | ... | music coordinator |
| Patrick Disanto | ... | music editor |
| Susan Jacobs | ... | music supervisor (as Sue Jacobs) |
| Eric Johnston | ... | music recording crew |
| Eric Liljestrand | ... | music mixer / music recordist |
| Butch Morris | ... | conductor |
| George Edward Regis | ... | legal: music |
| Hal Willner | ... | music producer |
| Dylan Tichenor | ... | music editor (uncredited) |
Script and Continuity Department
| Carmen Soriano | ... | script supervisor |
Transportation Department
| Dana Altman | ... | picture car coordinator |
| Oscar Beguiristain | ... | transportation captain |
| Patty Blake | ... | assistant coordinator office: transportation |
| Aneikit Bonnel | ... | driver |
| Ashley Fierman | ... | driver |
| Lance Hruza | ... | driver |
| Mark Hutman | ... | driver: art department |
| Gracie Klein | ... | driver |
| Sherry Koftan | ... | driver (as Sherry L. Koftan) |
| John McLaughlin | ... | driver (as John H. McLaughlin) |
| Kristi A. Medley | ... | picture car assistant |
| James L. Morris | ... | driver |
| Ian Overson | ... | driver (as Jan Overson) |
| Terry R. Owens | ... | transportation coordinator |
| Joseph Taggert | ... | driver |
| Harry Taylor | ... | driver (as Harry C. Taylor) |
| Bubba Thrift | ... | driver |
| Chriss R Lay | ... | driver (uncredited) |
Additional Crew
| Carol Barta | ... | production liaison |
| Brandy Bauman | ... | lead scenic assistant |
| C. Jeanenne Bell | ... | jewelry consultant |
| Elizabeth A. Bergman | ... | third accountant |
| Rick Brainin | ... | caterer |
| Shawna Bridgman | ... | labor coordinator / material coordinator |
| Shannon Broderick | ... | set production assistant |
| Bonnie Cagle | ... | milliner/crafts |
| Julie Clark | ... | assistant production coordinator |
| Jennifer Cole | ... | stitcher |
| Signe Corriere | ... | assistant: Robert Altman |
| Robert Dawson | ... | title designer |
| Martin L. Diggs | ... | set production assistant |
| John J. Drees | ... | set medic |
| Gwen Everman | ... | production accountant (as Gwendolyn Everman) |
| Leigh French | ... | adr group coordinator |
| Christopher Godfrey | ... | office production assistant |
| Leslie Godfrey | ... | production coordinator (as Leslie D. Godfrey) |
| Elizabeth Himelstein | ... | dialogue coach |
| Laurene Hirschberg | ... | researcher |
| Frank Inn | ... | doberman supplier |
| Heather Jameson | ... | set production assistant |
| Shellie Jeffrey | ... | stitcher |
| Nancy Jones Wetmore | ... | milliner/crafts |
| Lorie Jones | ... | production secretary |
| Karl Knief | ... | set production assistant |
| Olivia Lewis | ... | stitcher |
| Jeff Maynard | ... | office production assistant |
| Carla Meyer | ... | dialogue coach |
| Cindy Miles | ... | stitcher |
| Karen Naser | ... | shop head |
| Vincent R. Nebrida | ... | senior marketing manager |
| Joe Reif | ... | set production assistant |
| George Sheanshang | ... | legal: production |
| Karen S. Smith | ... | craft service |
| Mary Traylor | ... | stitcher |
| Dale Wibben | ... | custom made clothing: women |
| Whitney J. Willard | ... | assistant accountant |
| Robert Wojewodski | ... | milliner/crafts |
| Michael Altman | ... | projectionist (uncredited) |
| Julie Hansen | ... | post-production accountant (uncredited) |
| Annjela Hynes-Porter | ... | unit publicist (uncredited) |
| Benjamin Meade | ... | production assistant (uncredited) |
| Leslie Jean Porter | ... | assistant to producer (uncredited) |
| Dylan Tichenor | ... | technical coordinator (uncredited) |
Thanks
| Emanuel Cleaver | ... | special thanks (as Mayor Emmanuel Cleaver III) |
| George Drury | ... | special thanks |
| Suzy Elmiger | ... | special thanks |
| Bill Farrar | ... | special thanks |
| Laura Gayle Green | ... | special thanks: Miller Nichols Library |
| Chuck Haddix | ... | special thanks: Marr Sound Archives |
| Alan Rudolph | ... | special thanks |
| Andy Scott | ... | special thanks: The Union Station Assistance Corporation |
| Jim Spawn | ... | special thanks |
| Stanley Tucci | ... | special thanks |
| Patti Watkins | ... | special thanks |
Production Companies
Distributors
- Fine Line Features (1996) (United States) (theatrical)
- Electric (1996) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- CiBy 2000 (1996) (France) (theatrical)
- Columbia TriStar Films AB (1996) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- Europafilm AS (1996) (Norway) (theatrical)
- MFA+ FilmDistribution. (1996) (Germany) (theatrical)
- Finnkino (1996) (Finland) (theatrical)
- Comstock (1996) (Japan) (theatrical)
- United International Pictures (UIP) (1996) (Australia) (theatrical)
- Alamode Film (2007) (Germany) (DVD)
- Arrow Video (2020) (United States)
- Asso Film (video)
- Brush Creek Productions
- Cinemussy (Spain)
- Koch Media (2019) (Germany) (Blu-ray)
- MTV3 (2001) (Finland) (tv)
- Network Entertainment (1997) (Australia) (VHS)
- Nordisk Film Home Entertainment (1997) (Finland) (VHS)
- The Criterion Channel (2022) (United States) (tv) (streaming)
- Top Tape (Brazil) (video)
- Video Medien Pool (VMP) (1997) (Germany) (VHS)
- Yleisradio (YLE) (2019) (Finland) (tv)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- Evan M. Greenspan (music clearances)
- Film Finances (completion guarantor)
- Joe Dunton & Company (camera equipment provided by)
- Le Mobil (life music equipment)
- Pacific Title (titles and opticals)
- Sunrise Films (negative cutting)
- Todd-AO Studios (West) (Sound re-recorded at)
- Wright/Laird Casting (location casting)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
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.
Written by Tad Dibbern |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | Kansas City, 1934. Anything could happen here. One night it did. See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
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Additional Details
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Box Office
| Budget | $19,000,000 (estimated) |
| Opening Weekend United States | $432,183, 18 Aug 1996 |
| Cumulative Worldwide Gross | $2,500,000 |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | Robert Altman gathered together some of the greatest living jazz musicians, put them on a set representing the Hey Hey Club and asked them to play period material in the style of the Kansas City jazz giants like Count Basie, Coleman Hawkins and Lester Young. He filmed this separately after he had done the fictional plotline, and then intercut it with the narrative. See more » |
| Goofs | While the music sessions were not strictly done as period pieces, the inclusion of the Gibson electric guitar jumped the gun by a few years. The ES-150 didn't go into production until 1936 and had a blade type pickup. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in Robert Altman: Giggle and Give In (1996). See more » |
| Soundtracks | Hosts of Freedom See more » |
| Quotes |
Carolyn Stilton:
[saying her husband's pet name for her]
Pussy. See more » |