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Dummy

 
Movies:

Dummy

  • Director: Frank Perry
  • AMG Rating: starstarstar
  • Genre: Drama
  • Movie Type: Courtroom Drama
  • Themes: Fighting the System, Miscarriage of Justice, Living With Disability
  • Release Year: 1979
  • Country: US
  • Run Time: 90 minutes

Plot

Based on a true story, Dummy stars LeVar Burton as Donald Lang, a deaf-mute teenager accused of killing a prostitute. Paul Sorvino co-stars as Lowell Myers, the hearing-impaired public defender who takes Burton's case. The court, deciding that Lang is incompetent to stand trial, orders the boy to be shunted away to a mental institution. Doggedly following the evidence trail, Myers argues for "due process" in the treatment of his client. While the film's ending is upbeat, real life does not always turn out so well, as the ironic closing title (which details what has happened to Burton's character since this case was resolved) demonstrates. Initially telecast May 27, 1979, Dummy was adapted by Ernest Tidyman from his own book. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Cast

Patrick Billingsley - Dr. Morris; Wilbert Bradley - Bartender; LeVar Burton - Donald Lang; Paul Butler - Sgt. Alonzo Hobbs; Samantha Caulfield - Woman Expert; Jobe Cerny - Bailiff; Joe Clarke - Young Donald; Lorenzo Clemons - 2nd Worker; Burton Collins - 2nd Orderly; Paul Cook - Grand Jury Foreman; Nathan Davis - Cop; Brian Dennehy - Ragoti; Rose Gregorio - Jean Markin; Allen Hamilton - Dr. Romney; Gregg Henry - Asst. DA Smith; Helen Martin - Mrs. Harrod; Jack Orend - Weary Worker; Paula Preston - 1st Trustee; Holly Robinson - Genettia Lang; Ira Rogers - Rev. Jamison; Paul Sorvino - Lowell Myers; James Spinks - Bar Patron; Ian Williams - Court Clerk; Steven Williams - Julius Lang; Nancy Baird - Teacher; Bernard Chestleigh - Jail Guard; Frankie Hill - Ernestine Williams; Jonathan Pilurs - Detective Romain; James O'Reilly - Judge O'Mara; Ray Price - Black Giant; Tricia Borha - Mrs. Lang; Obilo - Husband; Richard Cosentino - Dock Worker; Melody Robb - Case Worker; Bill Nigut - Chief Orderly; Irma Riley - Black Hooker; Frank Heinrich - Male Resident; Yaumilton Brown - Card Player; J.J. Butler - Jury Foreman

Credit

Frank Perry - Director, Donald R. Rode - Editor, Gil Askey - Composer (Music Score), William J. Cassidy - Production Designer, Ernest Tidyman - Screenwriter

Similar Movies

Suspect; The Green Scarf; The Walking Stick
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Wikipedia: Dummy (film)
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Dummy

Theatrical release poster
Directed by Greg Pritikin
Produced by Bob Fagen
Richard Temtchine
Written by Greg Pritikin
Starring Adrien Brody
Milla Jovovich
Illeana Douglas
Vera Farmiga
Jared Harris
Music by Mike Ruekberg
Cinematography Horacio Marquinez
Editing by William Henry
Michael Palmerio
Distributed by Artisan Entertainment
Lionsgate Entertainment
Release date(s) September 12, 2003 (limited)
Running time 91 min.
Language English

Dummy is a 2002 drama film/comedy film written and directed by Greg Pritikin. It starred Adrien Brody, Milla Jovovich, Illeana Douglas, Vera Farmiga and Jared Harris. The original music score is composed by Mike Ruekberg. The film is marketed with the tagline The story of a dummy and his man.

Contents

Plot summary

Steven Schoichet is a recently unemployed ne'er-do-well who has difficulty expressing himself. Steven's best friend is Fangora "Fanny" Gurkel, an aspiring punk rock singer who, along with Steven, is just looking for her niche. Eventually, Fanny takes a shine to Yiddish Klezmer music and Steven finds he has a knack for ventriloquism. Through his newfound talent, Steven discovers that he is able to overcome his social problems through his dummy and decides to try impressing and winning the heart of Lorena Fanchetti.

Main cast

Trivia

  • From the time this film was shown at an AFI Premiere screening on February 21, 2002 to the time it was released to theaters on September 12, 2003, there were so many changes that the earlier screening could be considered as a work in progress. The cast was revised and eight new songs were added to the soundtrack.
  • This film was shot on location in New York City and Wayne, New Jersey.
  • According to the official presskit issued at the time of the film's release, Adrien Brody learned ventriloquism and puppetry for his role in the film under the personal tutelage of actor/ventriloquist Alan Semok, who also designed and built the "dummy" character for the production. Brody performed the dummy's character live on set and without the benefit of post production dubbing.
  • When Steven returns something at the costume shop, a sign hanging on the door says "All sales are final".
  • The dummy's name is never revealed in the film.

External links


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