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Foolin' Around

  • 1980
  • PG
  • 1h 51m
IMDb RATING
6.1/10
569
YOUR RATING
Foolin' Around (1980)
ComedyRomanceSport

A working-class boy falls for a girl from a wealthy family, and must compete for her with a rich boy who also wants her.A working-class boy falls for a girl from a wealthy family, and must compete for her with a rich boy who also wants her.A working-class boy falls for a girl from a wealthy family, and must compete for her with a rich boy who also wants her.

  • Director
    • Richard T. Heffron
  • Writers
    • Michael Kane
    • David Swift
  • Stars
    • Gary Busey
    • Annette O'Toole
    • John Calvin
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.1/10
    569
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Richard T. Heffron
    • Writers
      • Michael Kane
      • David Swift
    • Stars
      • Gary Busey
      • Annette O'Toole
      • John Calvin
    • 16User reviews
    • 9Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos17

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    Top cast43

    Edit
    Gary Busey
    Gary Busey
    • Wes
    Annette O'Toole
    Annette O'Toole
    • Susan
    John Calvin
    John Calvin
    • Whitley
    Eddie Albert
    Eddie Albert
    • Daggett
    Cloris Leachman
    Cloris Leachman
    • Samantha
    Tony Randall
    Tony Randall
    • Peddicord
    Michael Talbott
    Michael Talbott
    • Clay
    Shirley Kane
    • Aunt Eunice
    William H. Macy
    William H. Macy
    • Bronski
    • (as W.H. Macy)
    Beth Bosacker
    • Rickie
    Roy Jenson
    Roy Jenson
    • Blue
    Gene LeBell
    Gene LeBell
    • Paul
    Susan Bishop
    Reuben Singer
    Thomas V. Mikkelsen
    Ken Ruta
    Craig Huston
    Craig Huston
    • Foreman
    Geoffrey Ewing
    • Director
      • Richard T. Heffron
    • Writers
      • Michael Kane
      • David Swift
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews16

    6.1569
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    Featured reviews

    chrisnope

    This is great!!!!!

    Back in like 1982, before we had real cable, my dad had a single cable channel! Remember those days they played the same movies for a month and after midnight soft core x rated films. Nonetheless, I saw this film one sat. afternoon. It is absolutely hilarious and I cannot believe more folks have not seen it. If you like the south park guys, this is a good show to see where they learned some of the off color comedy. I have to say that if you like comedy and surprises you should ck. it out. I have been trying to find it recently. I am sure ebay will be a good bet. I have nothing but good things to say regarding this film. Gary Busy's best! Anette O' tooles awesome. I have nothing but great things to say about the Tony Randall character. Also the end lines from his character are classic.
    paulaubert

    More entertaining than typical romantic comedy

    Annette O'Toole and Gary Busey have good chemistry together. The supporting cast adds so much to this movie. One of the supporting roles I haven't seen anyone mention is Michael Talbott as Clay, Wes' (Gary Busey's) best friend. I thought he was very funny, along with John Calvin as the uppity boyfriend, Cloris Leachman, Eddie Albert and Tony Randall. Also, notice the cameo appearance of William H. Macy as the book salesmen who's car is hung by Wes.
    8nittany5000

    What a crime!!

    The fact that this little gem of a movie isn't on DVD in an age when every bad film ever made had met it's digital home is a crime against cinephiles everywhere. I loved this movie as a kid and still have it on VHS but it is very worn and needs to have a DVD upgrade very soon.

    You have an all-star cast, a whip-smart script and one of the most underrated performances of Tony Randall's career. What more are you people waiting for.

    If you get a chance and happen to come across a VHS copy at your local video store, do yourself a favor and pick it up. It is well worth your time, for Tony Randall if nothing else.
    7lightninboy

    Adult comedy in a good old-fashioned way

    This movie has too much adult material in it, but if you accept that fact, it is a pretty good movie. Busey plays Wes, a likable underdog from Fort Cobb, Oklahoma. His friend Clay has been going to the University of Minnesota, and Wes enrolls to learn building engineering. Susan's grandfather offers wisdom to young Wes. Seals and Crofts perform the title song and "These Moments Never Live Again." The movie paints Minnesota in a favorable light. It shows a Vikings game and the Mississippi River, and it gives you the feeling you're right there. There is a lot of silliness in this movie, but, then, it's called "Foolin' Around."
    10moviefan-55

    On My List of Top 50

    This movie is an enjoyable experience from start to finish. Two all time great comedic moments in movie history are in this jewell. Tony Randall steals the show with his portrayal of Cloris Leachman's butler at the engagement party and Busey's thinking out loud comments on answering questions while he has has been summoned to fix an air conditioning problem.

    The movie has it all... a little romance, a little comedy, great character development, good acting, but most of all, a great script.

    The editing is above average, good locations and even the chase scene at the end has its thrills. Look for William H. Macy in the beginning.

    Why can't Hollywood make more movies like this one?

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    Related interests

    Will Ferrell in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy
    Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca (1942)
    Romance
    Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill in Moneyball (2011)
    Sport

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Foolin' Around (1980) and Somewhere in Time (1980) were the first theatrical feature films of actor William H. Macy where he was billed in both as "W.H. Macy". Somewhere in Time (1980) released first stateside in early October 1980 prior to Foolin' Around (1980) premiering in the USA about a fortnight later mid October 1980.
    • Quotes

      Daggett - a retired tycoon, Susan's grandfather: [Daggett to Wes] Your dog can be a friend, booze can be your friend, but if you have a girl for a friend you'll end up drunk kissing your dog.

    • Alternate versions
      "Videotape versions of the film are ten minutes shorter" according to the American film guide publication 'Rating the Movies'.
    • Connections
      Featured in Sneak Previews: A Small Circle of Friends, Where the Buffalo Roam, Nothing Personal, Foolin' Around, Ffolkes (1980)
    • Soundtracks
      Foolin' Around
      Music and lyrics by Jim Seals and Charles Bernstein

      Performed by Seals and Crofts

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    FAQ13

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 19, 1980 (South Korea)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Fooling Around
    • Filming locations
      • 1350 Nicollet Avenue, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA(exteriors: construction site)
    • Production companies
      • General Cinema Corporation (GCC)
      • Film Packages
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 51m(111 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono

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