A Prairie Home Companion (2006)

A look at what goes on backstage during the last broadcast of America's most celebrated radio show, where singing cowboys Dusty and Lefty, a country music siren, and a host of others hold court.

Director:

Robert Altman

Writers:

Garrison Keillor (screenplay), Garrison Keillor (story)

Stars:

Lily Tomlin, Meryl Streep, Woody Harrelson

5 wins & 21 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Marylouise Burke	...	Lunch Lady
Woody Harrelson	...	Dusty
L.Q. Jones	...	Chuck Akers
Tommy Lee Jones	...	The Axeman
Garrison Keillor	...	GK
Kevin Kline	...	Guy Noir
Lindsay Lohan	...	Lola Johnson
Virginia Madsen	...	Dangerous Woman
John C. Reilly	...	Lefty
Maya Rudolph	...	Molly
Tim Russell	...	Stage Manager
Sue Scott	...	Makeup Lady
Meryl Streep	...	Yolanda Johnson
Lily Tomlin	...	Rhonda Johnson
Tom Keith	...	Himself - Sound Effects Man

Storyline

A final live variety show broadcast via radio becomes a metaphor for the natural order of life. A concept and script by Garrison Keilor uses every natural and technical element of working with a tight and close ensemble producing a weekly show to sooth us and guide us through the natural but difficult transitions of aging, becoming less relevant and then dying as new, young life develops and strengthens during our final "performances." This is a rare film for it's remarkable cast and crew and one wonders how the great Robert Altman was able to gather them all at the same place and time to shoot this film.

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Plot Keywords:

singing | radio | backstage | country music | radio show | 

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Taglines:

Live every show like it's your last.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Music | Musical

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for risque humor

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Norwegian

Release Date:

9 June 2006 (USA)

Also Known As:

Noches mágicas de radio

Filming Locations:

Fitzgerald Theater - 10 Exchange Street E., St. Paul, Minnesota, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$10,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$4,566,293, 11 June 2006, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$20,342,852

Company Credits

Production Co:

Picturehouse, GreeneStreet Films, River Road Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

SDDS Dolby Digital DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Meryl Streep and Lily Tomlin repeated their on-screen partnership at the 2005 Academy Awards when they presented an Honorary Oscar to Robert Altman.

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Goofs

The cigarette behind Guy Noir's ear changes positions between shots.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Radio Announcer: Market reports today, barrows and gilts uh two hundred twenty to two hundred sixty pounds, they're lower at forty dollars uh sows are steady three hundred five hundred pounds thirty four to thirty seven dollars going over to feeder cattle, beef steers - one hundred twenty to one hundred fifty dollars and two hundred to three hundred
[fade out]

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Crazy Credits

There is a credit for Sign Painter in the film, although it does not appear on the official site.

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Connections

Referenced in Who Wants to Be a Millionaire: Episode #7.7 (2008)

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Soundtracks

Piscacadawadaquoddymoggin
Music by Robin Williams
Lyrics by Garrison Keillor
Performed by Garrison Keillor, Robin Williams (as Robin) & Linda Williams

User Reviews

Great musical comedy!

I just saw this movie last weekend at the SXSW film festival. I thought it was a wonderfully funny film. I might be a little partial since she is one of my favorites, but Meryl Streep was superb! The rest of the cast-Lohan, Tomlin, Kline, Reilly, Madsen, Harrelson-were all great as well. The movie actually felt like a documentary almost because the dialogue and activity was so real. Kline's character is hilariously out of place and the dialogue between the other actors is a riot. The jokes were great and the whole movie was really funny. The whole theater clapped at the end of the film. This is definitely another Altman great, I just wish he had won a real Oscar and not the honorary one!