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Melvin and Howard

  • 1980
  • R
  • 1h 35m
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
5.4K
YOUR RATING
Melvin and Howard (1980)
Home Video Trailer from Anchor Bay Entertainment
Play trailer2:43
1 Video
99+ Photos
ComedyDrama

The story of hard-luck Melvin E. Dummar, who claimed to have received a will naming him an heir to the fortune of Howard Hughes.The story of hard-luck Melvin E. Dummar, who claimed to have received a will naming him an heir to the fortune of Howard Hughes.The story of hard-luck Melvin E. Dummar, who claimed to have received a will naming him an heir to the fortune of Howard Hughes.

  • Director
    • Jonathan Demme
  • Writer
    • Bo Goldman
  • Stars
    • Paul Le Mat
    • Jason Robards
    • Elizabeth Cheshire
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • IMDb RATING
    6.8/10
    5.4K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Jonathan Demme
    • Writer
      • Bo Goldman
    • Stars
      • Paul Le Mat
      • Jason Robards
      • Elizabeth Cheshire
    • 46User reviews
    • 31Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Won 2 Oscars
      • 17 wins & 9 nominations total

    Videos1

    Melvin and Howard
    Trailer 2:43
    Melvin and Howard

    Photos182

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    + 176
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    Top cast59

    Edit
    Paul Le Mat
    Paul Le Mat
    • Melvin Dummar
    Jason Robards
    Jason Robards
    • Howard Hughes
    Elizabeth Cheshire
    Elizabeth Cheshire
    • Darcy Dummar
    Mary Steenburgen
    Mary Steenburgen
    • Lynda Dummar
    Chip Taylor
    • Clark Taylor
    Melvin E. Dummar
    • Bus Depot Counterman
    Michael J. Pollard
    Michael J. Pollard
    • Little Red
    Denise Galik
    Denise Galik
    • Lucy
    Gene Borkan
    • Go-Go Club Owner #1
    Lesley Margret Burton
    • Go-Go Dancer
    Wendy Lee Couch
    • Go-Go Dancer
    Marguerite Baierski
    • Go-Go Dancer
    Janice King
    • Go-Go Dancer
    Deborah Ann Klein
    • Go-Go Dancer
    Theodora Thomas
    • Go-Go Dancer
    Gloria Grahame
    Gloria Grahame
    • Mrs. Sisk
    Elise Hudson
    • Easy Street Singer ('Rocky')
    Robert Ridgely
    Robert Ridgely
    • Wally 'Mr. Love' Williams
    • Director
      • Jonathan Demme
    • Writer
      • Bo Goldman
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Jason Robards was nominated for the Best Actor in a Supporting Role Oscar for playing Howard Hughes in this movie. It was the third time in five years that Robards had been nominated in this category at the Academy Awards, and in each case he was playing a real person. The first two times, in 1977 and 1978, Robards had achieved the extraordinary feat of winning back-to-back Oscars for Julia (1977) and All the President's Men (1976).
    • Goofs
      While the men are in the truck talking, a sandwich being eaten has the bite area alternately changing from one side of the bread between shots.
    • Quotes

      Lynda Dummar: It says you can be anything you want to be if you'll just believe in yourself. And you believe in yourself - it's just the believing hasn't been enough to let you become what you believe you can be.

      Melvin Dummar: Honey, they didn't burn down Rome in one day - you got to keep pluggin'.

    • Connections
      Featured in Sneak Previews: Melvin and Howard, Fort Apache: The Bronx, The Incredible Shrinking Woman, The Devil and Max Devlin, Hangar 18 (1981)
    • Soundtracks
      Amazing Grace Used to be Her Favorite Song
      Written by Russell Smith
      Performed by The Amazing Rhythm Aces
      Courtesy of CBS Records

    User reviews46

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    6/10

    Interesting But Not a Hidden Gem

    The story of hard-luck Melvin E. Dummar, who claimed to have received a will naming him an heir to the fortune of Howard Hughes.

    I can't say I'm an expert on Howard Hughes, and I have never heard this story before. After watching the film and looking into it a bit, I am somewhat interested. Especially knowing that Agent Gary Magnussen was involved.

    But the film itself is just alright. Very little of it has anything to do with Hughes or the courtroom drama. Much pf it has to do with the boring life of Dummar and the problems he had with his wife. This was okay, as far as movies go, but certainly nothing extraordinary. I would not place it among Jonathan Demme's best.
    • gavin6942
    • May 31, 2017
    • Permalink

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    FAQ19

    • How long is Melvin and Howard?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 19, 1980 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Melvin (and Howard)
    • Filming locations
      • Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
    • Production company
      • Universal Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $7,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $4,309,490
    • Gross worldwide
      • $4,309,490
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 35 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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