No one was afraid of cinematic excess in the ’80s, and nothing says “cinematic excess” quite as perfectly as the rock musical, a sub-genre that took on all sorts of (rockin’ and rollin’ and just plain bitchin’) shapes in the decade that birthed everything from “Purple Rain” to “Flashdance” and “The Blues Brothers.”
Buried amongst a decade rife with musicals, rock jams, and the frequent intersection of the two is Walter Hill’s raucous “Streets of Fire,” an intensely creative rock musical fantasy filled with fantastic visuals and even better songs. It’s about as cool a film as anyone could ever hope to see, no matter the decade.
When it was released in the summer of 1984, the film was a box office bust: it made just $8 million on its $14.5 million budget, scuppering plans for an official trilogy, ultimately landing young star Diane Lane a Razzie nom (vile!), and sending...
Buried amongst a decade rife with musicals, rock jams, and the frequent intersection of the two is Walter Hill’s raucous “Streets of Fire,” an intensely creative rock musical fantasy filled with fantastic visuals and even better songs. It’s about as cool a film as anyone could ever hope to see, no matter the decade.
When it was released in the summer of 1984, the film was a box office bust: it made just $8 million on its $14.5 million budget, scuppering plans for an official trilogy, ultimately landing young star Diane Lane a Razzie nom (vile!), and sending...
- 8/15/2023
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
Cinema is a wonderful tool for showing us other lives. Stories that we enjoy on the big screen connect intimately to our understanding of our own lives and to the lives of others. The best films can be wish-fulfilment, they can throw us into unimaginable terror, or they can show us what we might do given the circumstances the film presents us with.
Many of these films feature a protagonist whose life at the beginning of the film is not too dissimilar to our own. How many of Hitchcock‘s great films use the premise of extraordinary things happening to ordinary people? And because of the way film works on us as an entertainment medium, there is a very real connection between our visceral reaction and what we see on screen.
Certain films shake us to our core, or delight us in ways we couldn’t possibly have imagined. The...
Many of these films feature a protagonist whose life at the beginning of the film is not too dissimilar to our own. How many of Hitchcock‘s great films use the premise of extraordinary things happening to ordinary people? And because of the way film works on us as an entertainment medium, there is a very real connection between our visceral reaction and what we see on screen.
Certain films shake us to our core, or delight us in ways we couldn’t possibly have imagined. The...
- 4/21/2021
- by Michael Walsh
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
George Barr McCutcheon's novel Brewster's Millions has been a source for movies about money madness since 1902. The book has been adapted for the big screen 13 times, including a 1914 film by Cecil B. DeMille; another silent version in 1921 starring Fatty Arbuckle; and on four occasions in India, in both Hindi and Telugu. While all the Millions versions follow the novel's plot of an average guy who has to spend an enormous amount of money in a limited time to receive an even larger inheritance, only Walter Hill's 1985 take features the premier black comedian of ...
- 10/12/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
George Barr McCutcheon's novel Brewster's Millions has been a source for movies about money madness since 1902. The book has been adapted for the big screen 13 times, including a 1914 film by Cecil B. DeMille; another silent version in 1921 starring Fatty Arbuckle; and on four occasions in India, in both Hindi and Telugu. While all the Millions versions follow the novel's plot of an average guy who has to spend an enormous amount of money in a limited time to receive an even larger inheritance, only Walter Hill's 1985 take features the premier black comedian of ...
- 10/12/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
To mark the release of Brewster’s Millions on 28th March, we’ve been given3 copies to give away on DVD. Brewster’s Millions is a 1985 comedy film starring Richard Pryor and John Candy based on the 1902 novel of the same name by George Barr McCutcheon. It was directed by Walter Hill. (48 Hours, The Getaway,
The post Win Brewster’s Millions on DVD appeared first on HeyUGuys.
The post Win Brewster’s Millions on DVD appeared first on HeyUGuys.
- 3/21/2016
- by Competitions
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Robert Townsend has come on board to direct a remake of the comedy "Brewster's Millions".
George Barr McCutcheon penned the original novel which has been adapted many times, though the most well-known would be Walter Hill's 1985 version starring Richard Pryor and John Candy.
That film follows a baseball fan who is called to New York city to hear the last will and testament of his recently deceased great-uncle. Said uncle makes an offer - if he can spend $30 million in 30 days, he's entitled to $300 million. If not, he loses it all. There's also strict conditions on how he can spend the cash, including having no more assets than what he started with.
Michael William Schmidt has penned the new adaptation which Joseph and Jack Nasser will produce. The new film changes the stakes - he must spend $100 million in one week to inherit $1 billion.
Source: Variety...
George Barr McCutcheon penned the original novel which has been adapted many times, though the most well-known would be Walter Hill's 1985 version starring Richard Pryor and John Candy.
That film follows a baseball fan who is called to New York city to hear the last will and testament of his recently deceased great-uncle. Said uncle makes an offer - if he can spend $30 million in 30 days, he's entitled to $300 million. If not, he loses it all. There's also strict conditions on how he can spend the cash, including having no more assets than what he started with.
Michael William Schmidt has penned the new adaptation which Joseph and Jack Nasser will produce. The new film changes the stakes - he must spend $100 million in one week to inherit $1 billion.
Source: Variety...
- 2/28/2015
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
There have been at least 5 film adaptations of "Brewster's Millions" - the 1902 novel by George Barr McCutcheon. But maybe the one most are familiar with is the 1985 comedy film starring Richard Pryor and John Candy, which was directed by Walter Hill (who was not really known for comedies. He got this job after directing Eddie Murphy in "48 Hours"). The movie received mixed reviews en route to a $40+ million domestic box office. Now the story will be revisited again, for the umpteenth time, in a feature film that will be directed by Robert Townsend, from a screenplay penned by Michael Williams Schmidt. The novel revolves around Montgomery...
- 2/28/2015
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
The 11th - really - big screen adaptation of Brewster's Millions is in the works...
The history of Brewster's Millions on the big screen is extensive. Based on the novel by George Barr McCutcheon, that was published in 1902, there have, to date, been ten screen adaptations of it (not including television projects). They range from the first, a 1914 adaptation directed by Cecil B De Mille and Oscar Apfel, through arguably the highest profile, the Richard Pryor-headlined version that landed in 1985.
Well, number 11 is on the way (and we're indebted to Film Divider for pointing out there have been that many).
The new Brewster's Millions, the first English language take on the book since that 1985 project (that was helmed by Walter Hill, with John Candy co-starring), will be directed by Robert Townsend, based on a screenplay by Michael William Schmidt. The basic premise will be the same: for a man to inherit a large fortune,...
The history of Brewster's Millions on the big screen is extensive. Based on the novel by George Barr McCutcheon, that was published in 1902, there have, to date, been ten screen adaptations of it (not including television projects). They range from the first, a 1914 adaptation directed by Cecil B De Mille and Oscar Apfel, through arguably the highest profile, the Richard Pryor-headlined version that landed in 1985.
Well, number 11 is on the way (and we're indebted to Film Divider for pointing out there have been that many).
The new Brewster's Millions, the first English language take on the book since that 1985 project (that was helmed by Walter Hill, with John Candy co-starring), will be directed by Robert Townsend, based on a screenplay by Michael William Schmidt. The basic premise will be the same: for a man to inherit a large fortune,...
- 2/27/2015
- by simonbrew
- Den of Geek
The last time we checked on Brewster’s Millions, Richard Pryor and John Candy were rolling in it. That was 1985. Now Robert Townsend has signed on to direct a remake scripted by Michael William Schmidt and produced by Joseph and Jack Nasser. The story, based George Barr McCutcheon’s 1902 novel, centers on Monty Brewster, who is set to inherit $1 billion, with one key caveat: He must spend $100 million in one week or end up right back where he started – with nothing more…...
- 2/27/2015
- Deadline
Unfortunately the spec script Comic Con does not seem to currently be in production anywhere. But the geniuses who came up with setting a movie at that famed geek cluster, Michael Diliberti and Matthew Sullivan, have been rewarded with another job. They'll be tackling an adaptation of the George Barr McCutcheon novel Brewster's Millions for Warner Bros. You may think this movie must be a remake of the 1985 Richard Pryor movie, but you are wrong. According to THR, this will be merely the eighth adaptation of the original novel, in which a young man inherits a huge sum of money, but has to spend $1 million of it before he sees the rest. In Richard Pryor's version he had to spend $30 million in a month, and there's no word on whether or not the figure will be updated for modern times. All I know is it wouldn't be hard at...
- 8/18/2009
- cinemablend.com
Warner Bros. is developing an adaptation of the George Barr McCutcheon novel Brewster's Millions, signing on writers Michael Diliberti and Matthew Sullivan to pen the screenplay. The story centers on a man who inherits $1 million from a rich grandfather. When a rich uncle who hated the grandfather also passes away, the will leaves the young man $7 million -- but under the condition he spends the grandfather's million within a year and not end up with any assets from the spending spree. The 1902 novel, which became a play in 1906, has proved to be a popular film subject, with this project being the eighth incarnation. Popular versions include the 1945 film starring Dennis O'Keefe, directed by Allan Dwan, and the 1985 comedy starring Richard Pryor and John Candy and directed by Walter Hill. Diliberti and Sullivan got the gig coming off the buzz generated by their spec Comic Con. That buddy comedy revolves around...
- 8/17/2009
- by James Cook
- TheMovingPicture.net
Can we really call something a remake if it’s the eighth time the story is being turned into a movie? That’s what I wondered when I saw that “Brewster’s Millions” is headed for the big screen once again. Based on George Barr McCutcheon’s 1902 novel, the tale of a man who must blow $1 million in order to inherit another $7 million was first adapted to film in 1914 (one of Cecil B. DeMille’s first works as a director). And then it was remade in 1921 (starring Fatty Arbuckle), 1926 (with a female lead), 1936, 1945, 1961 (retitled “Three on a Spree”) and, most famously, 1985 (see below). Unofficial Indian adaptations of the story were made in 1988 and 1997, as well.
The story is certainly a good one to revisit with the world in a recession, because it’s pretty much the greatest economic fantasy of all time. Yet at the same time, the idea of...
The story is certainly a good one to revisit with the world in a recession, because it’s pretty much the greatest economic fantasy of all time. Yet at the same time, the idea of...
- 8/17/2009
- by Christopher Campbell
- MTV Movies Blog
Matthew Sullivan and Michael Diliberti have been tapped by Warner Brothers to bring another adaptation of George Barr McCutcheon’s 1902 novel, ‘Brewster’s Millions,’ to the big screen according to The Hollywood Reporter. This version of the story would be the eighth time this story has made it to the big screen, most recently being adapted into a film starring Richard Preyor and John Candy and directed by Walter Hill.
The story centers on a man who inherits $1 million from his rich grandfather. A rich uncle leaves the young man $7 million upon his passing, but this inheritance has one stipulation. The young man has only one year to spend every cent of his grandfather’s inheritance in order to obtain the $7 million left by the uncle.
Sullivan and Diliberti got the job penning the remake after their spec ‘Comic Con’ generated buzz. That film about two geeky friends planning a...
The story centers on a man who inherits $1 million from his rich grandfather. A rich uncle leaves the young man $7 million upon his passing, but this inheritance has one stipulation. The young man has only one year to spend every cent of his grandfather’s inheritance in order to obtain the $7 million left by the uncle.
Sullivan and Diliberti got the job penning the remake after their spec ‘Comic Con’ generated buzz. That film about two geeky friends planning a...
- 8/17/2009
- by Kirk
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Today on the remake front, it's been decided that Brewster's Millions is the next target. Even though Millions has been adapted 7 other times from the book by George Barr McCutcheon. The folks over at Warner Brothers hired screenwriters, Michael Diliberti and Matthew Sullivan, to provide their take on the original 1902 novel. This will be the first attempt for the duo, aside from Dilberti's work as an assistant on the mind numbing Failure To Launch...but you gotta start somewhere right?...
- 8/17/2009
- by Niki Stephens
- JoBlo.com
For the past few years, my friends and I have talked about the potential for a Brewster's Millions remake on several different occasions. Everyone has those movies they're oddly obsessed with, and for us it's this flick. I think it's because the storyline (originally based on George Barr McCutcheon's 1902 novel) is perfect remake material, which is why we've already seen eight versions of it -- the last of which being the hilarious 1985 film starring Richard Pryor and John Candy. Not to mention the film is a great fit for some fun buddy humor, allowing a studio (in this case Warner Bros.) to pair up two of today's hottest comic actors and watch them go to town.
The central premise is that a man inherits hundreds of millions of dollars, but in order to retrieve it he must first spend a smaller amount (it was $30 million in the 1985 film) in...
The central premise is that a man inherits hundreds of millions of dollars, but in order to retrieve it he must first spend a smaller amount (it was $30 million in the 1985 film) in...
- 8/17/2009
- by Erik Davis
- Cinematical
Warner Bros has signed up two writers for a new take on George Barr McCutcheon's 1902 novel Brewster's Millions. The movie will be the eighth big screen outing for the book, with a 1945 version starring Dennis O'Keefe and 1985's Richard Pryor and John Candy comedy proving the most popular. McCutcheon's story follows a man who is given $$1 million from a rich grandfather and $$7 million from a rich uncle. (more)...
- 8/17/2009
- by By Alex Fletcher
- Digital Spy
Michael Diliberti and Matthew Sullivan have been tapped to pen "Brewster's Millions," the latest take on the George Barr McCutcheon novel set up at Warner Bros. The 1902 novel, which became a play in 1906, has proved to be a popular film subject, with this project being the eighth incarnation. Popular versions include the 1945 film starring Dennis O'Keefe, and the 1985 comedy starring Richard Pryor and John Candy. The story centers on a man who inherits $1 million from a rich grandfather. When a rich uncle who hated the grandfather also passes away, the will leaves the young man $7 million -- but under the condition he spends the grandfather's million within a year and not end up with any assets from the spending spree.
- 8/17/2009
- WorstPreviews.com
Michael Diliberti and Matthew Sullivan have been hired to write Brewster's Millions , the latest take on the George Barr McCutcheon novel set up at Warner Bros. The 1902 novel, which became a play in 1906, was adapted into a 1945 film starring Dennis O'Keefe, directed by Allan Dwan, and into the 1985 comedy starring Richard Pryor and John Candy and directed by Walter Hill. The story centers on a man who inherits $1 million from a rich grandfather. When a rich uncle who hated the grandfather also passes away, the will leaves the young man $7 million -- but under the condition he spends the grandfather's million within a year and not end up with any assets from the spending spree.
- 8/17/2009
- Comingsoon.net
Oddly enough this film was on telly last weekend, I’ve never seen if before and I was lucky enough to catch the second half in between recovering from a night out on the town and catching up on my laundry (what a glamorous life I lead huh?)
Word on the street is that Brewster’s Millions is being remade! The 1985 film starred the brilliant Richard Pryor and was directed by Walter Hill, it was the seventh adaptation to have made it to the big screen – meaning this remake will be the Eighth. In the 1985 version Pryor must spend $30 million in 30 days leaving him broke and penniless in order to inherit a massive $300 million – that catch? He can’t tell anyone why he’s recklessly throwing his money away!
Michael Diliberti and Matthew Sullivan have been drafted by in Warner Bros. to pen the script, based on the George Barr McCutcheon...
Word on the street is that Brewster’s Millions is being remade! The 1985 film starred the brilliant Richard Pryor and was directed by Walter Hill, it was the seventh adaptation to have made it to the big screen – meaning this remake will be the Eighth. In the 1985 version Pryor must spend $30 million in 30 days leaving him broke and penniless in order to inherit a massive $300 million – that catch? He can’t tell anyone why he’s recklessly throwing his money away!
Michael Diliberti and Matthew Sullivan have been drafted by in Warner Bros. to pen the script, based on the George Barr McCutcheon...
- 8/17/2009
- by Craig Sharp
- FilmShaft.com
Brewster’s Millions, which modern audiences know best as a terrific Richard Pryor vehicle from 1985 (directed, somewhat surprisingly, by Walter Hill), is getting another airing. Which shouldn’t come as any great surprise really, as when we say another, we mean that this will be the eighth time the story has been adapted for the screen, making it pretty much the Groundhog Day of movie remakes (which gives us an idea*).The reason for the constant upgrades is that George Barr McCutcheon’s original story has two elements which Hollywood can’t get enough of: a madcap conundrum (in the Pryor version, Brewster must spend $30 million in 30 days within a number of limitations, including not being able to tell anyone about this condition in order to receive his full inheritance of $300 million), and a strong moral backbone. Both elements are timeless, ergo both elements can be endlessly updated.According to The Hollywood Reporter,...
- 8/17/2009
- EmpireOnline
Michael Diliberti and Matthew Sullivan have been tapped to pen "Brewster's Millions," the latest take on the George Barr McCutcheon novel set up at Warner Bros.
The 1902 novel, which became a play in 1906, has proved to be a popular film subject, with this project being the eighth incarnation. Popular versions include the 1945 film starring Dennis O'Keefe, directed by Allan Dwan, and the 1985 comedy starring Richard Pryor and John Candy and directed by Walter Hill.
The story centers on a man who inherits $1 million from a rich grandfather. When a rich uncle who hated the grandfather also passes away, the will leaves the young man $7 million -- but under the condition he spends the grandfather's million within a year and not end up with any assets from the spending spree.
Diliberti and Sullivan got the gig coming off the buzz generated by their spec "Comic Con." That buddy comedy revolves around...
The 1902 novel, which became a play in 1906, has proved to be a popular film subject, with this project being the eighth incarnation. Popular versions include the 1945 film starring Dennis O'Keefe, directed by Allan Dwan, and the 1985 comedy starring Richard Pryor and John Candy and directed by Walter Hill.
The story centers on a man who inherits $1 million from a rich grandfather. When a rich uncle who hated the grandfather also passes away, the will leaves the young man $7 million -- but under the condition he spends the grandfather's million within a year and not end up with any assets from the spending spree.
Diliberti and Sullivan got the gig coming off the buzz generated by their spec "Comic Con." That buddy comedy revolves around...
- 8/16/2009
- by By Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.