The Real Howard Spitz (1998)

Howard Spitz is a cranky, has-been detective novelist out of money and out of luck - until he meets eight-year-old Samantha, who convinces him he has what it takes to write children's books.

Director:

Vadim Jean

Writer:

Jurgen Wolff (screenplay)

Stars:

Kelsey Grammer, Genevieve Tessier, Joseph Rutten

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kelsey Grammer	...	Howard Spitz
Genevieve Tessier	...	Samantha Kershaw
Joseph Rutten	...	Lou
Amanda Donohoe	...	Laura Kershaw
Kay Tremblay	...	Theodora Winkle
Patrick McKenna	...	Roger
Lex Gigeroff	...	Ronnie Relish
Gary Levert	...	Red Allen
Jeffrey Hirschfield	...	Lawrence - Primrose Rep (as Jeff Hirschfield)
Denny Doherty	...	Balthazar Mishkin
Joanne Hagen	...	Waitress
Edward Gregson	...	Aaron
Ciel Crosby	...	Librarian (as Cathy Lee Crosby)
John Loverin	...	Bartender - Cop Bar
John Fulton	...	Ted the Cop

Storyline

Howard Spitz is a cranky, has-been detective novelist out of money and out of luck - until he meets eight-year-old Samantha, who convinces him he has what it takes to write children's books.

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Plot Keywords:

character name in title | 

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Genres:

Comedy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for language and mild thematic elements

Did You Know?

Trivia

Director Vadim Jean humorously recounted that when in the US at the time of the films release, he saw a movie theatre advertise it with the lettering 'The real Howard Spits'. Apparently the theatre didn't have any 'Z's available to put up outside so instead substituted an 'S' for a 'Z'.

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Connections

References Cheers (1982)

User Reviews

Kelsey Grammer is a charming curmudgeon

"The Real Howard Spitz" is the story of a detective writer who switches to children's books because he thinks there's more money in it. The only problem is, he doesn't particularly like children. Despite his curmudgeonliness, a little girl befriends him and encourages him to pursue this new career. Kelsey Grammer is utterly believable as the cynical, money-hungry author, and Amanda Donohoe is charming and beautiful as the little girl's mother (and, predictably, Kelsey Grammer's love interest). The film is supposedly set in the US but was actually shot in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

This film is really intended for children but has one minor example of foul language. The children and young adolescents in the audience seemed to be having a good time, and Kelsey Grammer fans will, too. In my experience, there are very few terrible Canadian films, and "The Real Howard Spitz" certainly isn't one of them. Go see it, or rent it, because you certainly won't lose any special effects by seeing it on the small screen.

Details

Country:

UK Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 August 1998 (UK)

Also Known As:

Writer's Block

Filming Locations:

Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metrodome Films, Nova Scotia Film Development Corporation, The Mob Film Company

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1