The Flamingo Kid

Starring:Matt Dillon, Hector Elizondo, Molly McCarthy, Martha Gehman, Richard Crenna, Jessica Walter, Carole Davis, Janet Jones, Brian McNamara, Fisher Stevens, Leon, Bronson Pinchot, Frank Campanella, Richard Stahl, Joe Grifasi, Ron McLarty, Seth Allen, Irving Metzman, Adam Klugman, Ray Roderick
Director: Garry Marshall
Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

Matt Dillon broke through as a heartthrob in this surprisingly affecting comedy, from director Garry Marshall. Dillon plays a Brooklyn kid who lands a summer job at a tony Long Island beach club in 1963. His good looks and obsequious manners win him favor among the snobby members, who trigger dreams that he might actually move up far enough in the world to be one of them--particularly his hero, the club gin champ (Richard Crenna). Meanwhile, his hard-working plumber father (Hector Elizondo) casts a jaundiced eye at all the easy moolah his son is raking in in tips and the lessons about easy living that he seems to be learning. Marshall captures a loose comic nostalgia and the sense of a teen who is suddenly discovering his own abilities--and seeing his parents for the first time, both for bad and for good. --Marshall Fine

Description

Jeffrey Willis is out to set the world on fire'starting with a well-to-do Long Island beach club! Matt Dillon leads an all-star cast, including Richard Crenna, Hector Elizondo, Jessica Walter and Janet Jones, in this poignant, fast-moving and totally engrossing story that USA Today calls "funny, sensitive [and] beautifully written!" Everything was settled for 18-year-old Jeffrey (Dillon), the plumber's son from Brooklyn: one last summer of carefree fun before college. But when he gets a job as a cabana boy at the El Flamingo Beach Clubwith its shapely coeds, gin-playing cardsharps and wealthy snobsJeffrey is lured into a world distinctly different from his working-class roots a world that could ultimately draw him away from his education, his background and his family!

Customer Reviews:

From Small Screen to Big Screen.......2005-12-23

Garry Marshall was noted for two things, a great sitcom director and the big brother of Laverne DeFazio a.k.a. Penny Marshall. This film showed that he could translate his skill from the small screen to the big screen. And it is written by Garry and Neal Marshall, what a talented family!

In 50's New York City, if you have made it you live in Manhattan, if not, you live in Brooklyn. Jeffrey Willis is the son of a plumber (Hector Elizando) and lives in Brooklyn. He has graduated from High School and is the first in his family to go to college. This is his last summer before becoming a true adult. His father has arranged a summer office job but he wants a summer of fun. He gets a job as a cabana boy at the prestigious El Flamingo Beach Club.

Next to sun and surf, the main diversion is gin rummy. Jeff just happens to be a wiz at gin. He quickly catches the attention of Phil Brody, the club cardsharp. But things don't sit as well when he catches the eye Phil's daughter (Carole R Davis). In the end, Jeff decides to go to college.

The 50's was the last decade of innocence. This film captures this spirit. While the boys talk a good game, they seldom got anywhere with the girls. Marshall keeps the film on the right note for high drama to light comedy.

While some may say that this was a star studded cast only Matt Dillon had a solid movie background. Richard Crenna was a TV star from 50's and 60's. The remaining cast had TV notoriety but would gain their fame later - Hector Elizondo (Chicago Hope) and Jessica Walters (Arrested Development). Even Dillon's success didn't happen until this film and later.

This is a great film to watch when you want to see the end of innocence in America.

Master OF The Rare Laserdiscs Movies........2005-07-10

I have The Flamingo Kid ON LASER DISC!! And I own it on DVD too,'tis one of my Favorite Comedies 80s movies.,You'll love this movie :)

'THE FLAMINGO KID'.......2003-08-07

MATT DILLON OFFICIALLY BECAME A SUPERSTAR AS HE SHINES IN THIS SURPRISINGLY EFFECTIVE 1984 COMEDY. DILLON STARS AS A COLLEGE AGED BROOKLYN YOUTH WHO AGAINST HIS FATHERS (HECTOR ELIZONDO) WISHES LANDS A SUMMER JOB AT AN UPPER CLASS LONG ISLAND BEACH CLUB. THERE DILLON MEETS A SUAVE CAR DEALERSHIP OWNER (RICHARD CRENNA) WHO IS ALSO THE FAT CAT GIN RUMMY KING OF THE FLAMINGO BEACH CLUB. THERE ARE PLENTY OF LAUGHS AS WELL AS TOP NOTCH ACTING AND GREAT DIRECTING BY GARRY MARSHALL. LOOK FOR NICE SUPPORTING ROLES GIVEN BY JESSICA WALTER AND JANET JONES WHO WE DISAPPOINTINGLY NEVER REALLY SAW MUCH OF AFTER THIS SOLID PERFORMANCE.

Sweet Ginger Brown.......2002-07-03

Good coming of age movie set in 1963 about a guy, his Dad, and the bi wig aouto dealer and card shark. Plus you get to see one of the great butts in film history when Janet Jones in her film debut gets out of the pool.

"Dad, how many potatoes do you think you'll eat b4 u die?".......2001-11-29

I fell on the floor with above line by Matt Dillon, to his father, perfectly played by Hector Elizando. And many other lines as well.

Dillon is a young impressionable kid from working-class Brooklyn who is in awe of the part played by Richard Crenna, a charming charlton. Dillon's character is swept up by wealth and the beautiful people and Crenna's character undoubtedly likes the attention. So Jeffrey hangs on to every word and goes home at night and repeats them. It doesnt take long for his true-to-his word father to catch on and call him on it.

The differences in class and values come to a head when Elizando and Crenna meet.

Description

Disc 1 Side A: The Flamingo Kid WS Disc 1 Side B: The Flamingo Kid P&S

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

From Small Screen to Big Screen.......2005-12-23

Master OF The Rare Laserdiscs Movies........2005-07-10

I have The Flamingo Kid ON LASER DISC!! And I own it on DVD too,'tis one of my Favorite Comedies 80s movies.,You'll love this movie :)

'THE FLAMINGO KID'.......2003-08-07

Sweet Ginger Brown.......2002-07-03

"Dad, how many potatoes do you think you'll eat b4 u die?".......2001-11-29

I fell on the floor with above line by Matt Dillon, to his father, perfectly played by Hector Elizando. And many other lines as well.

The differences in class and values come to a head when Elizando and Crenna meet.

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

From Small Screen to Big Screen.......2005-12-23

Master OF The Rare Laserdiscs Movies........2005-07-10

I have The Flamingo Kid ON LASER DISC!! And I own it on DVD too,'tis one of my Favorite Comedies 80s movies.,You'll love this movie :)

'THE FLAMINGO KID'.......2003-08-07

Sweet Ginger Brown.......2002-07-03

"Dad, how many potatoes do you think you'll eat b4 u die?".......2001-11-29

I fell on the floor with above line by Matt Dillon, to his father, perfectly played by Hector Elizando. And many other lines as well.

The differences in class and values come to a head when Elizando and Crenna meet.

Funny and very entertaining.

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