Max Dugan Returns
| Max Dugan Returns | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Herbert Ross |
| Produced by |
Herbert Ross Neil Simon |
| Written by | Neil Simon |
| Starring | |
| Music by | David Shire |
| Cinematography | David M. Walsh |
| Edited by | Richard Marks |
| Distributed by | 20th Century Fox |
Release date |
|
Running time | 98 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $17,613,720 |
Max Dugan Returns is a 1983 American comedy-drama film starring Jason Robards as Max Dugan, Marsha Mason as his daughter Nora, Matthew Broderick as Nora’s son Michael, and Donald Sutherland. Both Matthew Broderick and Kiefer Sutherland (cameo) are featuring in their first film appearance. This would be the last Neil Simon film to be directed by Herbert Ross, as well as the last of his films starring Mason (Simon's wife at the time).
Synopsis
Max Dugan (Jason Robards), the long-lost father of Nora McPhee (Marsha Mason), drops in on her as various trials and tribulations have befallen her. With him, he brings some promises and the news of his impending death and also $687,000 he managed to embezzle from a Las Vegas casino which he plans to use to improve the quality of life for his daughter and his grandson, Michael (Matthew Broderick). Meanwhile, police officer Brian Costello (Donald Sutherland) helps Nora after her car is stolen and becomes her boyfriend in the process.
Cast
- Jason Robards as Max Dugan
- Marsha Mason as Nora McPhee
- Matthew Broderick as Michael McPhee
- Donald Sutherland as Officer Brian Costello
- Kiefer Sutherland as Bill Costello (Mike's school friend) cameo
- Dody Goodman as Mrs. Litke
- David Morse as Shoe Store Cop
- Bill Aylesworth as Chris (Mike's school friend)
Production notes
Max Dugan Returns marks the first of only three times (as of 2018) that Donald Sutherland and his son Kiefer have appeared together in a dramatic film project, the others being A Time to Kill and Forsaken, in the latter of which they both starred in the leads.
Matthew Broderick was cast in this film and Simon's play Brighton Beach Memoirs simultaneously.
The real-life father of Matthew Broderick (whose birthname is James Joseph Broderick), noted character actor James Broderick, died (November 1, 1982) around the time of the making of this film. Co-star Jason Robards, who knew James and was a friend, helped Matthew through his grief over the loss of his father.
Former professional baseball player Charley Lau appears as himself having been hired by Robards' character Dugan to coach Broderick's Michael to hit better for his high school team. At the time of the movie, Lau was the hitting coach for the Chicago White Sox.
This was the last motion picture that Mason and Simon collaborated on before their divorce.