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Max Dugan Returns

  • 19831983
  • PGPG
  • 1h 38m
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
3.7K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Max Dugan Returns (1983)
Home Video Trailer from Anchor Bay Entertainment
Play trailer2:01
1 Video
19 Photos
  • Comedy
  • Drama

An English teacher and struggling single mother has her life disrupted when the father who abandoned her as a child comes back into her life.An English teacher and struggling single mother has her life disrupted when the father who abandoned her as a child comes back into her life.An English teacher and struggling single mother has her life disrupted when the father who abandoned her as a child comes back into her life.

IMDb RATING
6.6/10
3.7K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Herbert Ross
  • Writer
    • Neil Simon
  • Stars
    • Jason Robards
    • Marsha Mason
    • Donald Sutherland
Top credits
  • Director
    • Herbert Ross
  • Writer
    • Neil Simon
  • Stars
    • Jason Robards
    • Marsha Mason
    • Donald Sutherland
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 42User reviews
    • 9Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination

    Videos1

    Max Dugan Returns
    Trailer 2:01
    Max Dugan Returns

    Photos19

    Matthew Broderick and Jason Robards in Max Dugan Returns (1983)
    Matthew Broderick, Donald Sutherland, Jason Robards, and Marsha Mason in Max Dugan Returns (1983)
    Matthew Broderick and Jason Robards in Max Dugan Returns (1983)
    Jason Robards and Marsha Mason in Max Dugan Returns (1983)
    Jason Robards in Max Dugan Returns (1983)
    Donald Sutherland and Marsha Mason in Max Dugan Returns (1983)
    Donald Sutherland and Marsha Mason in Max Dugan Returns (1983)
    Marsha Mason in Max Dugan Returns (1983)
    Matthew Broderick, Jason Robards, and Marsha Mason in Max Dugan Returns (1983)
    Max Dugan Returns (1983)
    Matthew Broderick and Marsha Mason in Max Dugan Returns (1983)
    Jason Robards, Herbert Ross, and Marsha Mason in Max Dugan Returns (1983)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Jason Robards
    Jason Robards
    • Max Duganas Max Dugan
    Marsha Mason
    Marsha Mason
    • Nora McPheeas Nora McPhee
    Donald Sutherland
    Donald Sutherland
    • Brian Costelloas Brian Costello
    Matthew Broderick
    Matthew Broderick
    • Michael McPheeas Michael McPhee
    Dody Goodman
    Dody Goodman
    • Mrs. Litkeas Mrs. Litke
    Sal Viscuso
    Sal Viscuso
    • Coach Royas Coach Roy
    Panchito Gómez
    • Luisas Luis
    • (as Panchito Gomez)
    Charley Lau
    • Charley Lauas Charley Lau
    Mari Gorman
    Mari Gorman
    • Patas Pat
    Brian Part
    • Kevin Costelloas Kevin Costello
    Billie Bird
    Billie Bird
    • Older Womanas Older Woman
    Tessa Richarde
    • Blonde at Shoe Storeas Blonde at Shoe Store
    Jim Staahl
    Jim Staahl
    • Man at Shoe Storeas Man at Shoe Store
    • (as James Staahl)
    Duke Stroud
    Duke Stroud
    • Teacheras Teacher
    Sondra Blake
    Sondra Blake
    • Teacheras Teacher
    David Morse
    David Morse
    • Shoe Store Copas Shoe Store Cop
    Santos Morales
    • Groceras Grocer
    Irene Olga López
    • Grocer's Wifeas Grocer's Wife
    • (as Irene Olga Lopez)
    • Director
      • Herbert Ross
    • Writer
      • Neil Simon
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    Nora is a single mother who lives with her son Michael in a small house. They don't have much money but at least they have each other. Out of the blue comes Nora's father Max Dugan, who left her and her mother when Nora was nine years old. He brings a suitcase with dollar bills and showers her and Michael with gifts, trying to make up for lost time, knowing that he has a fatal heart ailment. The money comes from his shady career in Las Vegas and Nora is dating a policeman who is very interested in meeting him. —Mattias Thuresson
    • police officer
    • reference to jane austen
    • reference to william thackeray
    • reference to plato
    • riding a motorbike
    • 44 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Prices are double. Your love life's in trouble. The car won't start. Your boss has no heart. The door squeaks. The roof leaks. Your stereo just went mono. All you need is a little Max Dugan.
    • Genres
      • Comedy
      • Drama
    • Certificate
      • PG
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Actor Matthew Broderick's father, actor James Broderick died around the time that this film was being developed, made and released. Broderick's co-actor in this film, Jason Robards, knew his father and helped Matthew through his loss and grief.
    • Goofs
      When Nora McPhee drives home on the motorcycle with her son and parks, she leaves the ignition on, as evidenced by the brightly glowing taillight that will turn off and on with the ignition switch.
    • Quotes

      Michael McPhee: Can you make money from philosophy?

      Max Dugan: Yeah, if you have the right one.

    • Connections
      Referenced in The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson: Neil Simon/Joe Garagiola/Bill Maher (1982)

    User reviews42

    Review
    Top review
    Slightly corny, quite "80's", but very pleasant movie experience.
    I always enjoy watching this movie during those (rare) times that it comes on TV. I realize now that this movie makes an ideal holiday film, one that should best be seen around either Christmas/New Year's, or Thanksgiving holiday time. Why? Simply because it has such a strong "family values" theme to it. (Oh, and Max Dugan (Jason Robards) is also very generous with giving splendid gifts to his daughter and grandson (Marsha Mason and Matthew Broderick) in the film).

    Perhaps a bit corny by today's film standards, I would nevertheless recommend this film to anyone who lived through the 80's - at least to those who were cognizant of everything that was going on around them. It should stimulate a few memories of the zeitgeist of the 80's (like, think "materialism" and "philosophy") - and it's all done without special effects or smoke and filter-lens photography.

    This film shows Jason Robards in one of his best roles, with that deep, smooth, mellifluous voice of his just hitting all the right notes. Matthew Broderick is fun to watch in this film as well; it's an early peek at his big-screen work before he hit it big as Ferris Bueller in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off". Donald Sutherland is interesting as always, and Marsha Mason is excellent as the single mom trying to cope with all the crazy stuff happening to her.

    If you like this film, I would recommend you rent "Rocket Gibraltar" (1988) starring Burt Lancaster. Another excellent family film that showcases a well-known actor in one of his last film roles.
    helpful•5
    1
    • Eric-1226
    • Dec 14, 2002

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 25, 1983 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Max Dugans Moneten
    • Filming locations
      • Alexander Hamilton High School - 2955 S. Robertson Blvd., Palms District, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Twentieth Century Fox
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $17,613,720
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $2,791,002
      • Mar 27, 1983
    • Gross worldwide
      • $17,613,720
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 38 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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