Main Cast: Finster, Thora Birch, Harvey Keitel, Mimi Rogers, Christopher McDonald
Release Year: 1994
Country: US
Run Time: 95 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG
Plot
A young girl secretly adopts a runaway monkey only to have to deal with the simian's mischief-making tendencies in this family comedy. Young Eva (Thora Birch)'s dreams of having a pet are frustrated by the objections of her mother (Mimi Rogers) and allergic stepfather (Christopher McDonald). When she finds a stray capuchin monkey, she cannot resist it, and she keeps the animal -- which she names Dodger -- hidden in her room. Eva doesn't know that Dodger has just escaped from an evil organ grinder named Azro (Harvey Keitel, playing a regrettable Gypsy stereotype), who had trained the monkey to become an accomplished pickpocket. Old habits prove hard to break, and Dodger begins stealing everything in sight, landing Eva in plenty of trouble. Her problems are only compounded by the actions of the unscrupulous Azro, who wants to find Dodger and use him as part of an important robbery. The standard misunderstandings and slapstick comedy ensue, with the spunky Eva struggling to protect her new pet and herself. While probably too predictable to appeal to many adults, Monkey Trouble's skillful animal antics and resourceful young heroine may prove entertaining to youngsters. ~ Judd Blaise, All Movie Guide
Kevin Scannell - Peter; Victor Argo - Charlie; Jo Champa - Annie; Kimberly Cullum - Jesse; Alison Elliott - Tessa; Marcy Goldman; John La Fayette - Cates; Adam LaVorgna - Mark; Aaron Lustig - Store Manager; Robert Miranda - Drake; Julie Payne - Librarian; Remy Ryan - Katie; Harvey Vernon - Harold Weller; Deborah White - Katie's Mother; Julian Johnson - Jack; Andi Chapman - Christine; Frank Lugo - Mexican Park Attendant
Credit
Nathan Crowley - Art Director, Karen Rea - Casting, John C. Broderick - Co-producer, Christian Halsey Solomon - Co-producer, Eileen Kennedy - Costume Designer, Franco Amurri - Director, Ray Lovejoy - Editor, Chris Peppe - Editor, Mark Mancina - Composer (Music Score), Charles Kelly - Musical Direction/Supervision, Michelle Buhler - Makeup, Leslie Dilley - Production Designer, Luciano Tovoli - Cinematographer, Mimi Polk - Producer, Ridley Scott - Producer, Mimi Polk Sotela - Producer, Heidi Rufus Isaacs - Producer, Denise Pizzini - Set Designer, J.D. Street IV - Special Effects, Michael Evje - Sound/Sound Designer, Franco Amurri - Screenwriter, Stu Krieger - Screenwriter
Eva Gregory (Thora Birch) is a 9 year old girl who longs for a pet she can call her own. However, her mother, Amy, (Mimi Rogers) does not think she is responsible enough, and her stepfather (Christopher McDonald) is allergic to fur. She cannot keep the pet at her fathers house due to him being a pilot and traveling a lot. One day, Dodger the monkey runs away after his drunken master, who is a thief, blames Dodger for the reason his wife left him along with their son. So Dodger (Capuchin Monkey) runs away and meets Eva in the park. She names him Dodger. After going home, Eva finds out that keeping her monkey secret is trouble and only allows her brother Jack (who cannot speak), into her room with Dodger. While alone at her father's house, Eva makes money and goes to a grocery store to shop. She is later confronted by a cashier (who gets suspicious of Eva's backpack), Eva discovers that Dodger has stolen food and puts the food back. On her return home, she discovers he has also stolen golden jewelry and wallets. So she teaches him not to steal. Dodger's master, (who has been looking for him all this time), kidnaps him at a pet shop where Eva had kept Dodger while she was at school. He discovers that Dodger does not steal anymore. Angry, he confronts Eva while Eva's mother Amy, her stepfather, father and police look for Eva. Dodger saves her and his master is arrested. Dodger's master's son (whom Dodger actually belongs to), tries taking him back but fails. Dodger ends up living with Eva. (after showing her mother she was responsible and her stepfather gets over his allergies.)
