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Max Dugan Returns

  • 1983
  • PG
  • 1h 38m
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
4.2K
YOUR RATING
Max Dugan Returns (1983)
Home Video Trailer from Anchor Bay Entertainment
Play trailer2:01
1 Video
20 Photos
ComedyDrama

Struggling single mother Nora McPhee's life is disrupted when her long-lost father Max Dugan returns in hopes of spending some time with her and her son Michael to make up for lost time beca... Read allStruggling single mother Nora McPhee's life is disrupted when her long-lost father Max Dugan returns in hopes of spending some time with her and her son Michael to make up for lost time because Max is dying.Struggling single mother Nora McPhee's life is disrupted when her long-lost father Max Dugan returns in hopes of spending some time with her and her son Michael to make up for lost time because Max is dying.

  • Director
    • Herbert Ross
  • Writer
    • Neil Simon
  • Stars
    • Jason Robards
    • Marsha Mason
    • Donald Sutherland
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.7/10
    4.2K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Herbert Ross
    • Writer
      • Neil Simon
    • Stars
      • Jason Robards
      • Marsha Mason
      • Donald Sutherland
    • 46User reviews
    • 10Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination total

    Videos1

    Max Dugan Returns
    Trailer 2:01
    Max Dugan Returns

    Photos20

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    Top cast50

    Edit
    Jason Robards
    Jason Robards
    • Max Dugan
    Marsha Mason
    Marsha Mason
    • Nora McPhee
    Donald Sutherland
    Donald Sutherland
    • Brian Costello
    Matthew Broderick
    Matthew Broderick
    • Michael McPhee
    Dody Goodman
    Dody Goodman
    • Mrs. Litke
    Sal Viscuso
    Sal Viscuso
    • Coach Roy
    Panchito Gómez
    • Luis
    • (as Panchito Gomez)
    Charley Lau
    • Charley Lau
    Mari Gorman
    Mari Gorman
    • Pat
    Brian Part
    • Kevin Costello
    Billie Bird
    Billie Bird
    • Older Woman
    Tessa Richarde
    • Blonde at Shoe Store
    Jim Staahl
    Jim Staahl
    • Man at Shoe Store
    • (as James Staahl)
    Duke Stroud
    Duke Stroud
    • Teacher
    Sondra Blake
    • Teacher
    David Morse
    David Morse
    • Shoe Store Cop
    Santos Morales
    • Grocer
    Irene Olga López
    • Grocer's Wife
    • (as Irene Olga Lopez)
    • Director
      • Herbert Ross
    • Writer
      • Neil Simon
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews46

    6.74.1K
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    Featured reviews

    10JmeGrabs

    Nostalgic & enjoy the memories I remember of it

    Something about this movie just makes me feel like I 8-10yrs old again. So glad I came across it in my 40's & am able to share it w/my kids (18 & 21yrs old lol) but they understand the way I am w/talking about my childhood!! ❣
    chotathug

    excellent comedy

    I am about to tell you all about the movie that we saw in my ESOL class,"Max Dugan Returns". Since I haven't seen the whole movie I will tell you about half what happened in the movie. The negative thing in the movie, was they used some bad words. The positive thing that I learn from this movie was always do the right things, do not hurt anyone in any kind of ways. Neil Simon is trying to say be with your family; dont ever stop caring about your family. Always take care of them no matter how much it will cost because it is mom and dad who gave birth to you. If you leave them or stop caring about them they will regret why they gave birth to you. Jason Robards did a real good job as Max Dugan. He did not mess up, he had confidence in himself. He would not take no for an answer and he really cared about his family. Marsha Mason did real good job in acting also, because she had confidence in herself. She did a nice job as a mother and she did a fine job as a daughter. The policeman thought there was something wrong or there was something going on with his girlfriend Nora MCPhee. How did she get a brand new car, and $5000 in cash in her purse? So he started getting worried. Then he wondered if Nora's dad gave her the money. Mathew Broderick palyed a role in this movie as Nora McPhee's son Michael McPhee. He was just like the other kids played sports and do what others did. He did not know about his grandfather. His mom did not tell him but he was worried about his mom too that where is she getting all the mony and all the new stuff from. I give this film a 10 because i really liked this film especially because they had baseball stuff in the film. Baseball is my favriote sport. I really enjoyed this movie for it was very fun and it was funny too. I liked everything about the movie for it was a really nice movie I hope to watch it again.
    8ijonesiii

    A Minor Neil Simon Classic

    MAX DUGAN RETURNS is a lightweight comedy from Neil Simon about a widowed schoolteacher (Marsha Mason) with a young son (Matthew Broderick, in his film debut), struggling to make ends meet, who one night is reunited with her estranged father (Jason Robards), who shows up on her doorstep wanting to make up for lost time with $687,000.00 in tow. Mason is reluctant to get involved with Dad because the money is not really his but when she learns that he is dying, she softens and decides to grant his dying wish...to spend some of his final time on earth with his grandson. Throw into the mix a police detective (Donald Sutherland) who, upon finding out who Max is, is definitely torn between getting his man and or getting the girl. This comedy charms from start to finish with a lot of classic Neil Simon one-liners and Robards turns in one of his most charming performances as Max Dugan. Yes, there are plot points that are left dangling and you just have to accept that, but if you can, MAX DUGAN RETURNS is a delightful and diverting comedy that will grown on you with multiple viewings.
    7renfield54

    FAIRY TALE FOR BROKEN HOMES.....

    A real feel good movie. Single mother, nerdy son, no relief, just the daily grind to reach another day. Jason Robards returns to the family unit (temporarily). It has to be temporary because of his larcenous past. Before he leaves again, he rights a lot of wrongs. He makes up for being an absent dad and grandfather in a very short period of time. Max is a fixer and a miracle maker and his eccentricities are contagious. You'll cheer him and his exit from the family AGAIN....

    JASON ROBARDS is under-rated as far as I'm concerned. I've seen him in too many roles that HE has made memorable....
    Coxer99

    Max Dugan Returns

    Robards carries this Neil Simon picture delightfully. It moves along with a nice pace and keeps the laughs coming.

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    Related interests

    Will Ferrell in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy
    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Actor Matthew Broderick's father, actor James Broderick died around the time that this film was being developed, made and released. Broderick's co-actor in this film, Jason Robards, knew his father and helped Matthew through his loss and grief.
    • Goofs
      When Nora McPhee drives home on the motorcycle with her son and parks, she leaves the ignition on, as evidenced by the brightly glowing taillight that will turn off and on with the ignition switch.
    • Quotes

      Michael McPhee: Can you make money from philosophy?

      Max Dugan: Yeah, if you have the right one.

    • Connections
      Referenced in The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson: Neil Simon/Joe Garagiola/Bill Maher (1982)

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    FAQ19

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 25, 1983 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Neil Simon's Max Dugan Returns
    • Filming locations
      • Alexander Hamilton High School - 2955 S. Robertson Blvd., Palms District, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Twentieth Century Fox
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $17,613,720
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $2,791,002
      • Mar 27, 1983
    • Gross worldwide
      • $17,613,720
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 38m(98 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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