Mannequin (film)

Infobox_Film
name = Mannequin


caption = The movie poster for "Mannequin"
director = Michael Gottlieb
writer = Michael Gottlieb
Edward Rugoff
starring = Andrew McCarthy
Kim Cattrall
Estelle Getty
James Spader
G. W. Bailey
Steve Vinovich
producer = Art Levinson
Edward Rugoff (executive)
music = Sylvester Levay
cinematography = Tim Suhrstedt
editing = Richard Halsey
Frank E. Jimenez
distributor = 20th Century Fox
released = February 13, 1987 (USA)
runtime = 90 min.
country = USA
language = English
gross = $42,700,000
amg_id = 1:31327
imdb_id = 0093493
followed_by = ""

"Mannequin" is a 1987 romantic comedy film, starring Kim Cattrall, Andrew McCarthy, Meshach Taylor, James Spader, G. W. Bailey, and Estelle Getty. It was written and directed by Michael Gottlieb, and the original music score was composed by Sylvester Levay. It was followed by a sequel, "", in 1991. The film was nominated for one Oscar for the Original Song category for "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now". [ [http://awardsdatabase.oscars.org/ampas_awards/BasicSearch?action=searchLink&displayType=1&BSCategoryExact=1600&BSFromYear=60] --Nomination listed at the Academy Awards database.]

Plot summary

McCarthy plays Jonathan Switcher, a struggling artist who goes from one dead-end job to another. This all changes when a mannequin (Cattrall) he created for a department store window inexplicably comes to life. The mannequin, "Emmy," was actually once Emahasure, a real-life princess from ancient Egypt. Her beauty and love inspire Switcher to become the best window dresser in town. Of course, there is intrigue involving a rival department store's attempt to drive the heroes out of business, and together the two star-crossed lovers must outwit the store's bumbling security guard, the rival store's scheming executives, and others intent on the store's demise.

The story has a subplot: in order to regain full status as a real life person, the mannequin must find true love. The film is an unacknowledged remake of the obscure 1948 film "One Touch of Venus", starring Robert Walker and Ava Gardner.

Main cast

Filming locations

Portions of the film were shot in the Wanamaker's flagship store in Philadelphia, and in a Boscov's department store in the former Camp Hill Shopping Mall (now Camp Hill Shopping Center) near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Reception

The film received negative reviews on its release. The film received "Two Thumbs Down" on "Siskel & Ebert and The Movies". In his print review, Roger Ebert felt the film was "dead" and full of clichés, and awarded it a half star. [ [http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19870213/REVIEWS/702130304/1023] --Roger Ebert's review. "Chicago Sun-Times", February 13, 1987.] Rita Kempley of "The Washington Post" said that "Mannequin" is a movie made by, for and about dummies." [ [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/mannequinpgkempley_a0cac0.htm] --Rita Kempley's review. "The Washington Post", February 13, 1987.] Today, it is still considered to be of poor quality by major critics and has a score of 22% on Rotten Tomatoes. [rotten-tomatoes|id=1013259-mannequin|title=Mannequin] Intriguingly, the movie enjoys a devoted, almost cult-like admiration by many fans and is considered a Hollywood success, grossing over $42 million.

Trivia

*The film was mocked in episode 2, season 5 of Family Guy titled Mother Tucker, in which Peter is warned that a videotape in his possession causes a horrifying death to all who view it, as in The Ring; the videotape turns out to be Mannequin, and it is shown to indeed have the forewarned effect (presumably because of how bad the film is). [http://www.gametrailers.com/player/usermovies/26088.html?id=26088]
*The film was referenced in episode 6, season 7 of Married... With Children ("What I Did For Love"), in which Bud Bundy is talking to a mannequin in a department store and mentions seeing the film.
*Ween's tribute to Philadelphia, Freedom of '76 mentions this song in the line, "Mannequin was filmed at Woolworths."
* Both Kim Cattrall and G. W. Bailey starred in Police Academy.

ee also

* Hollywood Montrose
* Pygmalion
* Agalmatophilia
* Pinocchio

References

External links

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* [http://film.virtual-history.com/film.php?filmid=20951 Movie stills]