Themes: Dishonor Among Thieves, Dangerous Attraction
Main Cast: Dustin Hoffman, Nicole Kidman, Loren Dean, Bruce Willis, Steven Hill
Release Year: 1991
Country: US
Run Time: 107 minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Plot
In this film version of E. L. Doctorow's Billy Bathgate, Loren Dean plays the title character, a street-smart kid who inveigles his way into the confidence of 1930s gangster Dutch Schultz (Dustin Hoffman). Billy is ordered to look after Schultz' new moll, Drew Preston (Nicole Kidman), while Dutch fends off tax evasion charges and such up-and-coming rivals as Lucky Luciano (Stanley Tucci). Even though they know they're playing with dynamite, Billy and Drew fall in love. In attempting to escape Schultz' wrath, Billy succeeds only in putting himself in the thick of a gun battle between his boss and Luciano. When "Charley Lucky" emerges triumphant, Billy is forced once again to rely on his wits to escape being sent to the bottom of the briny in a cement overcoat. Bruce Willis shows up in an extended cameo as Dutch Schultz' former business associate. Billy Bathgate was adapted for the screen by British playwright Tom Stoppard. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Steve Buscemi - Irving; Stanley Tucci - Lucky Luciano; Billy Jaye - Mickey; John Costelloe - Lulu; Tim Jerome - Dixie Davis; Robert F. Colesberry - Jack Kelly; Stephen Joyce - Mr. Hines; Frances Conroy - Mary Behan; Moira Kelly - Rebecca; Kevin Corrigan - Arnold; Judy Allison - Bingo Winner; Tom Ambrose - Reporter; Steve Aronson - Reporter; Richard Bekins - Carter; Xander Berkeley - Harvey Preston; Todd Brenner - Reporter; Darryl Caron - 1st Bell Hop; Anthony Catanese - Luciano Thug; Ted Cleanthes - Supervisor; John Clohessy - Racetrack Program Seller; Tony Cucci - Luciano Thug; Noel Derecki - Billy's Gang Member; Paul A. DiCocco, Jr. - Luciano Thug; Joseph Dolphin - News Vendor; Jerry Guarino - Hitman; Barton Heyman - Banker; Paul Herman - Dutch's Thug; John J. Hladik - Auctioneer; Katharine Houghton - Charlotte; Simon Jutras - Hotel Manager; William G. Kane - Man in Window; Chuck Kinlaw - Reporter; Robert Kramer - Billy's Gang Member; Lewis W. Lake - Farmer; Terry Loughlin - Mr. Chambers; Todd Louiso - Bell Boy; Charles Ress Lyons - Reporter; William Jay Marshall - George; Max Maxwell - Hitman; Barry McGovern - Father McInerny; Frank McLean - Newsboy; Kip Newton - Bartender; Harry O'Reilly - Fire Inspector; Vincent Pantone - Luciano Thug; Nick Pernice - Tote Man; Robert D. Raiford - Judge; James Raitt - Chophouse Bartender; Christopher Rubin - Harvey's Friend; Kas Self - Woman at Bake Sale; Mike Starr - Julie Martin; Martin Thompson - Reporter; Karen L. Thorson - Woman at Table; Nicolas E. Tishler - 2nd Bell Hop; Rick Warner - Reporter; Rachel York - Embassy Club Singer; Danny Zorn - Billy's Gang Member; John Moio - Hitman; Kenny Vance - Dutch's Thug; Rick Washburne - Hitman; Howard Feuer; Josh Phillip Weinstein - Billy's Gang Member
Credit
Dennis Bradford - Art Director, Tim Galvin - Art Director, John Willett - Art Director, Howard Feuer - Casting, Patricia Birch - Choreography, Joseph G. Aulisi - Costume Designer, Robert Benton - Director, Alan Heim - Editor, David Ray - Editor, Robert Reitano - Editor, Mark Isham - Composer (Music Score), Danny Michael - Musical Direction/Supervision, Richard Dean - Makeup, Rosemary Zurlo - Makeup, Patrizia Von Brandenstein - Production Designer, Bruce S. Pustin - Production Designer, Thomas A. Razzano - Production Designer, Néstor Almendros - Cinematographer, Robert F. Colesberry - Producer, Arlene Donovan - Producer, Hilton Rosemarin - Set Designer, John Robotham - Stunts, Michael Russo - Stunts, Noon Orsatti - Stunts, Daniel W. Barringer - Stunts, Tom Stoppard - Screenwriter, George DeTitta, Sr. - Set Decorator, E.L. Doctorow - Book Author
Billy Bathgate is a youngster in the 1930s Bronx. After gangster Dutch Schultz takes him under his wing, Billy begins to work his way up the ranks of the organization.
Production
The film was filmed in Hamlet, NC and the Hall of Springs in Saratoga Springs, NY. In an episode of VH1's Confessions of a Teen Idol, Jamie Walters claimed he was up for a part in Billy Bathgate and even went to Dustin Hoffman's house to audition but ultimately did not get the part.
