Arthur (1981 film)

Last updated

Arthur
Arthur (1981 film) poster.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Steve Gordon
Written bySteve Gordon
Produced by Robert Greenhut
Starring
CinematographyFred Schuler
Edited by Susan E. Morse
Music by Burt Bacharach
Production
company
Distributed by Warner Bros.
Release date
  • July 17, 1981 (1981-07-17)
Running time
97 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$7 million
Box office$95.5 million [1]

Arthur is a 1981 American romantic comedy film written and directed by Steve Gordon. It stars Dudley Moore as Arthur Bach, a drunken New York City millionaire who is on the brink of an arranged marriage to a wealthy heiress but ends up falling for a common working-class young woman from Queens. It was the sole film directed by Gordon, who died in 1982 of a heart attack at age 44.

Contents

The film earned over $95 million domestically, making it the fourth highest-grossing film of 1981. Its title song, "Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)", won the Academy Award for Best Original Song. Co-written by Christopher Cross, Burt Bacharach, Carole Bayer Sager, and Peter Allen, it was performed by Cross. Sir John Gielgud also won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. It was nominated for two other Academy Awards for Best Actor for Moore and Best Original Screenplay for Gordon.

Plot

Arthur Bach is a spoiled alcoholic man-child from New York City, who likes to be driven in his chauffeured Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith limousine through Central Park. Arthur is heir to a portion of his family's vast fortune, but only if he marries the upper-class Susan Johnson, the daughter of a business acquaintance of his father. He does not love Susan, but his family feels that she will make him finally grow up. During a shopping trip in Manhattan, accompanied by his valet, Hobson, Arthur witnesses a young woman, Linda Marolla, shoplifting a necktie. He intercedes with the store security guard on her behalf, and later asks her for a date. Despite his attraction to her, Arthur remains pressured by his family to marry Susan.

While visiting his grandmother, Martha, Arthur shares his feelings for Linda, but is warned again that he will be disowned if he does not marry Susan. Hobson, who has been more like a father to him than Arthur's real father, realizes that Arthur is beginning to grow up, and secretly encourages Linda to attend Arthur's engagement party. Hobson confides in Linda that he senses Arthur loves her. Linda crashes the party, held at the estate of Arthur's father, and she and Arthur eventually spend time alone together, which is tracked by both families. Hobson is later hospitalized, and Arthur rushes to his side, vowing to care for the person who has long cared for him. After several weeks, Hobson dies, and then Arthur, who has been sober the entire time, goes on a drinking binge. On his wedding day, he visits the diner where Linda works and proposes to her. At the church, he jilts Susan, resulting in her abusive father, Burt Johnson, attempting to stab Arthur with a cheese knife, though he is prevented by Martha.

A wounded Arthur announces in the church that there will be no wedding then passes out soon after. Later, Linda attends to his wounds, and they discuss living a life of poverty. A horrified Martha tells Arthur that he can have his fortune, because no Bach has ever been working class. Arthur declines, but at the last minute, he talks privately to Martha. When he returns to Linda's side, he tells her that he declined again – Martha's dinner invitation, he means – but he did accept $750 million. Arthur's pleased chauffeur Bitterman drives the couple through Central Park.

Cast

Production

Gordon originally wrote the title character with an American actor in mind. Prior to the casting of Moore, Al Pacino, Jack Nicholson, John Travolta, Richard Dreyfuss, and James Caan were all considered for the role. In addition, Alec Guinness and David Niven were considered for the role of Hobson. [2] [3] [4] John Belushi was also considered for Arthur. [5] Initially, Gordon wanted Moore to perform the role with an American accent, but this proved contentious as Moore had trouble doing so and eventually convinced Gordon to let him use his natural English accent. While some critiques objected to the obvious difference in accent between Arthur and his biological father, others were quick to catch the deeper implication that Hobson taught Arthur to speak. [6] Debra Winger reportedly turned down the role of Linda. [7] Goldie Hawn, Diane Keaton, Gilda Radner, and Meryl Streep were also considered for the role of Linda. [8]

Although the project was initially in the works at Paramount Pictures, studio executives eventually dropped the project and Orion Pictures stepped in. [6] Promoting the film proved to be a challenge; reportedly six ad campaigns were discarded before a final one was decided upon. [6]

Soundtrack

Christopher Cross was initially asked to score the film, but writer-director Steven Gordon did not feel comfortable with his lack of experience in composing for film and the job was given to Burt Bacharach. [9] Cross was asked to compose a song for the film which he did, "Arthur's Theme", which he wrote with Bacharach along with Carole Bayer Sager and Peter Allen. [9]

Reception

The film had a disappointing opening at the box office but improved its performance over its run, becoming the seventh highest-grossing film of the summer. [10] It eventually earned over $95 million domestically, making it the fourth highest-grossing film of 1981. [11]

The film received critical acclaim upon its release and is considered by many as one of the best films of 1981. [12] [13] [14] On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 86% based on 36 reviews, with an average rating of 7.2/10. The website's critics consensus reads, "Dudley Moore brings a boozy charm to Arthur, a coming of age tale for a wayward millionaire that deploys energetic cast chemistry and spiffy humor to jovial effect." [15]

Then-U.S. President Ronald Reagan viewed this film at Camp David on July 25, 1981. [16]

Accolades

AwardCategoryRecipient(s)ResultRef.
Academy Awards Best Actor Dudley Moore Nominated [17]
Best Supporting Actor John Gielgud Won
Best Screenplay – Written Directly for the Screen Steve Gordon Nominated
Best Original Song "Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)"
Music by Burt Bacharach;
Lyrics by Carole Bayer Sager, Christopher Cross, and Peter Allen 		Won
American Movie AwardsBest Supporting ActorJohn GielgudWon
ASCAP Film and Television Music Awards Most Performed Feature Film Standards"Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)"
Music by Burt Bacharach;
Lyrics by Carole Bayer Sager, Christopher Cross, and Peter Allen		Won
British Academy Film Awards Best Supporting Artist John GielgudNominated [18]
Best Original Music Burt BacharachNominated
Golden Globe Awards Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy Won [19]
Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy Dudley MooreWon
Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy Liza Minnelli Nominated
Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture John GielgudWon
Best Original Song – Motion Picture "Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)"
Music by Burt Bacharach;
Lyrics by Carole Bayer Sager, Christopher Cross, and Peter Allen		Won
Grammy Awards Record of the Year "Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)"
Christopher Cross and Michael Omartian 		Nominated [20]
Song of the Year "Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)"
Peter Allen, Burt Bacharach, Christopher Cross, and Carole Bayer Sager		Nominated
Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male "Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)" – Christopher CrossNominated
Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards Best Supporting Actor John GielgudWon [21]
New York Film Critics Circle Awards Best Supporting Actor Won [22]
Best Screenplay Steve GordonRunner-up
Writers Guild of America Awards Best Comedy – Written Directly for the Screen Won [23]

Honors

The film was ranked No. 10 on Bravo's "100 Funniest Movies".

The film is recognized by American Film Institute in these lists:

Sequel

The film was followed by a sequel in 1988, Arthur 2: On the Rocks . Lead players Moore, Minnelli, and Gielgud reprised their roles, as well as supporting players such as Fitzgerald and Martin. The sequel was a critical and financial failure. [27] [28] [29]

Remake

The 2011 version was first reported in 2008 with news that Arthur was to be remade by Warner Bros., with Russell Brand in the lead role. [30] Brand confirmed this during his March 10, 2009, appearance on The Howard Stern Show . The remake was an overall critical and financial failure. [31] [32]

Foreign versions

The film had three Indian remakes: the 1984 Hindi-language film Sharaabi , the 1985 Kannada-language film Nee Thanda Kanike , and the 2004 Hindi Tumsa Nahin Dekha: A Love Story . [33]

The animated series The Critic starring Jon Lovitz shows a parody of Arthur called Arthur 3: Revenge of the Liver, where the character of Arthur Bach (voiced by Maurice LaMarche impersonating Dudley Moore) is shown intoxicated and is informed that he has cirrhosis of the liver. [34]

In 2020, the film was honored at the On Cinema at the Cinema Seventh Annual Oscar Special. Film expert Gregg Turkington hosted a special sneak preview of the film's 40th anniversary celebration, which was planned for the 2021 Oscar Special. [35]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dudley Moore</span> English actor, comedian, musician (1935–2002)

Dudley Stuart John Moore CBE was an English actor, comedian, musician and composer. Moore first came to prominence in the UK as a leading figure in the British satire boom of the 1960s. He was one of the four writer-performers in the comedy revue Beyond the Fringe from 1960 that created a boom in satiric comedy. With a member of that team, Peter Cook, Moore collaborated on the BBC television series Not Only... But Also. As a popular double act, Moore's buffoonery contrasted with Cook's deadpan monologues. They jointly received the 1966 British Academy Television Award for Best Entertainment Performance and worked together on other projects until the mid-1970s, by which time Moore had settled in Los Angeles to concentrate on his film acting.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Liza Minnelli</span> American actress, singer, dancer (born 1946)

Liza May Minnelli is an American actress, singer, dancer, and choreographer. Known for her commanding stage presence and powerful alto singing voice, Minnelli is one of the very few performers awarded a non-competitive Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony (EGOT). Minnelli is a Knight of the French Legion of Honour.

<i>Adams Rib</i> 1949 film by George Cukor

Adam's Rib is a 1949 American romantic comedy-drama film directed by George Cukor from a screenplay written by Ruth Gordon and Garson Kanin. It stars Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn as married lawyers who come to oppose each other in court. Judy Holliday co-stars as the third lead in her second credited movie role. Also featured are Tom Ewell, David Wayne, and Jean Hagen. The music was composed by Miklós Rózsa, and the song "Farewell, Amanda" was written by Cole Porter.

<i>Terms of Endearment</i> 1983 drama film directed by James L. Brooks

Terms of Endearment is a 1983 American family comedy-drama film directed, written, and produced by James L. Brooks, adapted from Larry McMurtry's 1975 novel of the same name. It stars Debra Winger, Shirley MacLaine, Jack Nicholson, Danny DeVito, Jeff Daniels, and John Lithgow. The film covers 30 years of the relationship between Aurora Greenway (MacLaine) and her daughter Emma (Winger).

<i>Cocoon</i> (film) 1985 film by Ron Howard

Cocoon is a 1985 American science fiction comedy-drama film directed by Ron Howard and written by Tom Benedek from a story by David Saperstein. The film stars Don Ameche, Wilford Brimley, Hume Cronyn, Brian Dennehy, Jack Gilford, Steve Guttenberg, Maureen Stapleton, Jessica Tandy, Gwen Verdon, Herta Ware, Tahnee Welch, and Linda Harrison, and follows a group of elderly people rejuvenated by aliens.

<i>Deadly Blessing</i> 1981 film by Wes Craven

Deadly Blessing is a 1981 American slasher film directed by Wes Craven. The film tells the story of a strange figure committing murder in a contemporary community that is not far from another community that believes in ancient evil and curses. It stars Ernest Borgnine, Maren Jensen, Susan Buckner, and Sharon Stone in an early role. AllMovie comments that the film "finds director Wes Craven in a transitional phase between his hard-hitting early work and his later commercial successes."

<i>New York, New York</i> (1977 film) 1977 American musical-drama film directed by Martin Scorsese

New York, New York is a 1977 American romantic musical drama film directed by Martin Scorsese from a screenplay by Earl Mac Rauch and Mardik Martin, based on a story by Rauch. It is a musical tribute, featuring songs by John Kander and Fred Ebb as well as jazz standards, to Scorsese's home town of New York City, and stars Liza Minnelli and Robert De Niro as a pair of musicians and lovers. The story is "about a jazz saxophonist and a pop singer (Minnelli) who fall madly in love and marry;" however, the "saxophonist's outrageously volatile personality places a continual strain on their relationship, and after they have a baby, their marriage crumbles," even as their careers develop on separate paths. The film marked the final screen appearance of actor Jack Haley.

<i>Trail of the Pink Panther</i> 1982 comedy film by Blake Edwards

Trail of the Pink Panther is a 1982 comedy film directed by Blake Edwards and starring Peter Sellers. It is the seventh film in The Pink Panther series, the first film in the series following Sellers's death and also the last in which he appeared as Inspector Clouseau. Sellers died 18 months before production began; his performance consists entirely of scenes from previous films. The newly shot material in the film stars Joanna Lumley as journalist Marie Jouvet searching for the missing Clouseau – and running afoul of the inspector's enemies who do not wish to see him return.

<i>Running on Empty</i> (1988 film) 1988 film by Sidney Lumet

Running on Empty is a 1988 American drama film directed by Sidney Lumet and written by Naomi Foner and starring River Phoenix, Judd Hirsch, Christine Lahti, and Martha Plimpton. It was produced by Lorimar Film Entertainment. It is the story of a counterculture couple on the run from the FBI, and how one of their sons starts to break out of this fugitive lifestyle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barney Martin</span> American actor (1923–2005)

Barney Martin was an American actor, best known for playing Morty Seinfeld, father of Jerry, on the sitcom Seinfeld (1991-1998). He also played supporting roles in Mel Brooks's The Producers (1967), and the Dudley Moore comedy Arthur (1981). He also originated the role of Amos Hart in the 1976 Broadway production of Chicago.

<i>An American in Paris</i> (film) 1951 film by Vincente Minnelli

An American in Paris is a 1951 American musical romantic comedy film inspired by the 1928 jazz-influenced symphonic poem An American in Paris by George Gershwin. Starring Gene Kelly, Leslie Caron, Oscar Levant, Georges Guétary, and Nina Foch, the film is set in Paris, and was directed by Vincente Minnelli from a script by Alan Jay Lerner. The music is by George Gershwin, with lyrics by his brother Ira, with additional music by Johnny Green, and Saul Chaplin, the music directors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)</span> 1981 single by Christopher Cross

"Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)" is a song performed and co-written by American singer-songwriter Christopher Cross as the main theme for the 1981 film Arthur, starring Dudley Moore and Liza Minnelli. It was recognized as the year's Best Original Song at both the 54th Academy Awards and 39th Golden Globe Awards.

<i>Arthur 2: On the Rocks</i> 1988 sequel to the 1981 film Arthur directed by Bud Yorkin

Arthur 2: On the Rocks is a 1988 American romantic comedy film and the sequel to the 1981 film Arthur. Dudley Moore, Liza Minnelli, John Gielgud, Geraldine Fitzgerald, Stephen Elliott, Thomas Barbour, Ted Ross and Barney Martin reprise their roles with Cynthia Sikes replacing Jill Eikenberry, who was committed to filming L.A. Law at the time, in the role of Susan Johnson. Burt Bacharach also returned to score the film. The soundtrack also features songs by popular artists, including OMD and Kylie Minogue. While still a comedy, On the Rocks is somewhat darker than its predecessor. The film received generally negative reviews and also was a financial disappointment when compared to the more successful original.

<i>Plenty</i> (film) 1985 film by Fred Schepisi

Plenty is a 1985 drama film directed by Fred Schepisi and starring Meryl Streep. It was adapted from David Hare's play of the same name.

<i>The Prowler</i> (1951 film) 1951 American film noir thriller film by Joseph Losey

The Prowler is a 1951 American film noir thriller film directed by Joseph Losey that stars Van Heflin and Evelyn Keyes. The film was produced by Sam Spiegel and was written by Dalton Trumbo. Because Trumbo was blacklisted at the time, the screenplay was credited to his friend, screenwriter Hugo Butler, as a front.

<i>Stepping Out</i> (1991 film) 1991 film by Lewis Gilbert

Stepping Out is a 1991 American musical comedy film directed by Lewis Gilbert, written by Richard Harris and starring Liza Minnelli.

<i>The Miracle Worker</i> (1962 film) 1962 film by Arthur Penn

The Miracle Worker is a 1962 American biographical film about Anne Sullivan, blind tutor to Helen Keller, directed by Arthur Penn. The screenplay by William Gibson is based on his 1959 play of the same title, which originated as a 1957 broadcast of the television anthology series Playhouse 90. Gibson's secondary source material was The Story of My Life, the 1903 autobiography of Helen Keller.

<i>Rent-a-Cop</i> 1988 film by Jerry London

Rent-a-Cop is a 1987 American thriller comedy starring Burt Reynolds and Liza Minnelli. Reynolds plays a disgraced police officer, now working as a security guard, who falls in love with Minnelli, who plays a prostitute.

<i>Romantic Comedy</i> (1983 film) 1983 film by Arthur Hiller

Romantic Comedy is a 1983 American romantic comedy film directed by Arthur Hiller and starring Dudley Moore and Mary Steenburgen. The screenplay by Bernard Slade is based on his 1979 play of the same title.

<i>Arthur</i> (2011 film) 2011 romantic comedy film directed by Jason Winer

Arthur is a 2011 American romantic comedy film written by Peter Baynham and directed by Jason Winer. It is a remake of the 1981 film of the same name written and directed by Steve Gordon. Its story follows Arthur, a wealthy and alcoholic philanderer who, after a drunken run in with the law, is forced by his mother to marry Susan, a suitable spouse, or else he will be stripped of his inheritance. But things suddenly become complicated once he meets and falls in love with a free-spirited woman named Naomi. It stars Russell Brand, Helen Mirren, Jennifer Garner, Greta Gerwig, and Nick Nolte.

References

  1. ↑ "Arthur (1981)". Box Office Mojo . Retrieved February 26, 2024.
  2. ↑ Lenburg, Jeff (2001). Dudley Moore: An Informal Biography. Lincoln, Nebraska: iUniverse. p. 79. ISBN   978-0-595-18268-8.
  3. ↑ Pollack, Dale (November 27, 1981). "'Arthur' success even surprised Joffe". Los Angeles Times .
  4. ↑ Carr, Jay (January 8, 1999). "The verdict is in: Travolta triumphs in court drama". Deseret News .
  5. ↑ Evans, Bradford (March 3, 2011). "The Lost Roles of John Belushi" . Vulture . Archived from the original on September 28, 2018. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
  6. 1 2 3 Cormier, Roger (July 17, 2016). "10 Rich Facts About Arthur". Mental Floss . Retrieved March 12, 2017.
  7. ↑ Thomson, David (February 27, 1994). "FILM / Up where she belongs: A decade ago Debra Winger had the film world at her feet. A year ago her career seemed to be on its last legs. Now she is back, with an Oscar nomination. David Thomson is a fan". The Independent . Retrieved August 18, 2018. She turned down the soft female leads in hits such as Raiders of the Lost Ark and Arthur.
  8. ↑ Evans, Bradford (March 22, 2012). "The Lost Roles of Gilda Radner" . Vulture . Archived from the original on May 28, 2019.
  9. 1 2 Prato, Greg (October 18, 2013). "Christopher Cross". Songfacts . Retrieved July 26, 2020.
  10. ↑ Harmetz, Aljean (September 9, 1981). "Hollywood Is Joyous Over Its Record-Grossing Summer". The New York Times . Retrieved October 10, 2017.
  11. ↑ "Domestic Box Office for 1981". Box Office Mojo . Retrieved February 26, 2024.
  12. ↑ Canby, Vincent (July 17, 1981). "Dudley Moore Stars as Screwball in 'Arthur'". The New York Times . Retrieved July 26, 2020.
  13. ↑ Ebert, Roger (1981). "Arthur". Chicago Sun Times . Retrieved January 23, 2014– via RogerEbert.com.
  14. ↑ Schickel, Richard (August 3, 1981). "Cinema: Hobson's Choice". Time . Retrieved January 23, 2014.
  15. ↑ "Arthur (1981)". Rotten Tomatoes . Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  16. ↑ "Films Viewed by President and Mrs. Reagan". Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.
  17. ↑ "The 54th Academy Awards (1982) Nominees and Winners". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences . Retrieved August 24, 2011.
  18. ↑ "BAFTA Awards: Film in 1982". British Academy Film Awards . Retrieved September 16, 2016.
  19. ↑ "Arthur". Golden Globe Awards . Retrieved July 5, 2021.
  20. ↑ "24th Annual GRAMMY Awards". Grammy Awards . Retrieved May 1, 2011.
  21. ↑ "The 7th Annual Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards". Los Angeles Film Critics Association . Retrieved July 5, 2021.
  22. ↑ "1981 New York Film Critics Circle Awards". New York Film Critics Circle . Retrieved July 5, 2021.
  23. ↑ "Awards Winners". Writers Guild of America Awards. Archived from the original on December 5, 2012. Retrieved June 6, 2010.
  24. ↑ "AFI's 100 Years...100 Laughs" (PDF). American Film Institute. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 24, 2016. Retrieved August 6, 2016.
  25. ↑ "AFI's 100 Years...100 Passions Nominees" (PDF). American Film Institute. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 24, 2016. Retrieved August 6, 2016.
  26. ↑ "AFI's 100 Years...100 Songs" (PDF). American Film Institute. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 24, 2016. Retrieved August 6, 2016.
  27. ↑ Arthur 2: On the Rocks at Rotten Tomatoes
  28. ↑ Easton, Nina (July 12, 1988). "Weekend Box Office results, July 1988". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved April 26, 2013.
  29. ↑ Canby, Vincent (July 8, 1988). "Review/Film; Moore and Minnelli in 'Arthur 2'". The New York Times . p. C8. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
  30. ↑ "Russell Brand as Arthur?". GamesRadar+ . December 4, 2008. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  31. ↑ "Arthur (2011)". Rotten Tomatoes . Retrieved January 8, 2016.
  32. ↑ "Brand: 'Arthur' remake was a bad idea". Irish Examiner . February 18, 2013. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
  33. ↑ Srinivasan, Karthik (March 19, 2019). "Amitabh Bachchan-Starrer Sharaabi Borrowed 2 Songs From Bangla Music And An All-Women American Vocal Group". Film Companion . Retrieved February 26, 2024.
  34. ↑ See the New You (December 17, 2008). Arthur3.wmv. Archived from the original on December 11, 2021. Retrieved April 17, 2019– via YouTube.
  35. ↑ "The Seventh Annual 'On Cinema' Oscar Special". Letterboxd . Retrieved March 9, 2020.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.