Buddy (1997)

A depiction of the true life story of Gertrude Lintz, an eccentric 1920's socialite who tries to raise a gorilla, like many chimps before him, as part of her family.

Director:

Caroline Thompson

Writers:

Gertrude Davies Lintz (book), William Joyce (screen story)

Stars:

Rene Russo, Robbie Coltrane, Alan Cumming

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Rene Russo	...	Trudy Lintz
Robbie Coltrane	...	Dr. Lintz
Alan Cumming	...	Dick
Irma P. Hall	...	Emma
Peter Elliott	...	Buddy
Mak Wilson	...	Buddy
Lynn Robertson Bruce	...	Buddy
Mark Sealey	...	Buddy
Robert Tygner	...	Buddy (as Rob Tygner)
Michelan Sisti	...	Buddy
Peter Hurst	...	Buddy
Leif Tilden	...	Buddy
Star Townsend	...	Buddy (as Star Townshend)
Paul Reubens	...	Professor Spatz
John Aylward	...	Mr. Bowman

Storyline

This is a fact based story about a socialite and her husband who live in a mansion with a brood of animals including chimpanzees who are raised as her children. When she discovers an ailing baby gorilla, she decides to care for it as well. Years later, the gorilla is fully grown and its strength is sometimes out of control. However, the gorilla shows love for his mistress and obeys her commands. That all changes when she is invited to display the gorilla and chimps at the Chicago World's Fair. Accidentally freed by one of the chimps, the gorilla terrorizes the Fair. From that point on, he becomes moody and more uncontrollable until he attacks his mistress in a bestial rage.

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Plot Keywords:

eccentric woman | gorilla | socialite | chimpanzee | 1930s | 

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Taglines:

Welcome to a family that will make yours seem tame.

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Genres:

Adventure | Comedy | Drama | Family

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for some threatening animal action

Did You Know?

Trivia

The first feature film from Jim Henson Pictures.

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Quotes

Emma: It's enough to drive you to the nut house. Of course this place probably already is the nut house.

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Connections

Features The Play House (1921)

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Soundtracks

Anchors Aweigh
(1906) (uncredited)
Music by Charles A. Zimmerman
Lyrics by Alfred Hart Miles and R. Lovell
Played for the chimp act in the Chicago Century of Progress Exhibition of 1933

User Reviews

An enjoyable family movie

I enjoyed the innocence of this film and how the characters had to deal with the reality of having a powerful animal in their midst. The gorilla looks just terrific, and the eyes were especially lifelike. It's even a little scary at times and should have children slightly frightened without going over the top. Rene Russo plays her role wonderfully feminine. Usually these type of Hollywood films that take place in the past feel the need to create a straw-man villain but the only adversary is the gorilla. It's an interesting look at how close some animals are to humans, how they feel the same emotions we do, and yet how we really can't treat them just like people because they aren't. Not many films venture into this territory and it's worth seeing if you want to contemplate the human-animal similarity.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 June 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

Buddy

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens, Griffith Park - 5333 Zoo Dr, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$25,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$3,504,671, 8 June 1997

Gross USA:

$10,113,400

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$10,113,400

Company Credits

Production Co:

Jim Henson Pictures, American Zoetrope, Columbia Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

84 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1