Melvin and Howard (1980)
- Starring:
- Paul Le Mat, Jason Robards, Jr., (more)
- Director(s):
- Jonathan Demme
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- R
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Jonathan Demme's breakthrough movie featured the shaggy energy and affection for marginal American eccentrics that marked his earlier Citizens Band (1977) and such later films as Something Wild (1986) and Married to the Mob (1988). Melvin Dummar (Paul LeMat) is a barely-getting-by Nevada milkman. One day in the early 1970s, while driving down a lonely highway, Melvin picks up a shaggy, bearded bum (Jason Robards Jr.) and offers him a ride into town. Melvin gives the bum a quarter at the end of the ride, and that, so far as Melvin is concerned, is that. The story goes off on a new tangent, involving the on-and-off marriage between Dummar and his contest-happy wife Lynda (Mary Steenburgen). During one of the multitude of financial crises endured by the Dummars, Melvin discovers that the tramp he picked up was none other than billionaire Howard Hughes -- and when Hughes dies, Melvin inherits $150 million. The movie's wide acclaim included Oscars for Steenburgen and Goldman's script and New York Film Critics Awards in almost all major categories, including Best Picture and awards for Demme, Goldman, Steenburgen, and Robards. Demme would gain even greater attention in the 1990s as the director of The Silence of the Lambs (1991) and Philadelphia (1993). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Theatrical Feature Running Time:
- 95 mins
Complete Cast:
- Paul Le Mat - Melvin Dummar
- Mary Steenburgen - Lynda Dummar
- Michael J. Pollard - Little Red
- Gloria Grahame - Mrs. Sisk
- John Glover - Attorney Freese
- Elizabeth Cheshire - Darcy Dummar
- Susan Peretz - Chapel Owner
- Martine Beswicke - Real Estate Woman
- Melissa Williams - Sherry Dummar
- Joe Ragno - Attorney Maxwell
- Cheryl Smith - Patient Ronnie
- John Levin - Reporter
- Sonny Davis - Milkman George
- Robert Wentz - Justice of the Peace
- Chip Taylor - Clark Taylor
- Danny Tucker - Milkman Pete
- Gene Borkan - 1st Go-Go Club Owner
- Kathleen Sullivan - Reporter
- Robert Ridgely - Wally Williams
- Jason Robards, Jr. - Howard Hughes
- Jack Kehoe - Jim Delgado
- Dabney Coleman - Judge Keith Hayes
- Pamela Reed - Bonnie Dummar
- Charles Napier - Ventura
- Melvin E. Dummar - Bus Depot Counterman
- Danny Dark - "Easy Street" Announcer
- Charlene Holt - Mrs. Worth
- Rick Lenz - Melvin's Lawyer
- Herbie Faye - Man Witness
- Denise Galik - Lucy
- Jack Verbois - Holdup Man
- Hal Marshall - Hal
- Shirley Washington - Patient Debbie
- Brendan Kelly - Milkman Ralph
- Gary Goetzman - Melvin's Cousin Fred
- Anthony Alda - Terry
- Melissa Prophet - Easy Street Model
- Director(s):
- Jonathan Demme
- Writer(s):
- Bo Goldman
- Producer(s):
- Don Phillips, Art Linson
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- R(Questionable for Children, Adult Language, Brief Nudity, Adult Situations)
- Closed Captioning:
- Check All Versions
- Subtitles:
- Check All Versions
- 1980 - Melvin and Howard - Golden Globe - Best Supporting Actress
- 1980 - Melvin and Howard - Los Angeles Film Critics Association - Best Supporting Actress
- 1980 - Melvin and Howard - New York Film Critics Circle - Best Director
- 1980 - Melvin and Howard - New York Film Critics Circle - Best Supporting Actress
- 1980 - Melvin and Howard - New York Film Critics Circle - Best Screenplay
