At The Movies

"And... I'm... Ready to Take a Chance Again" ... That's what Gloria Mundy (Goldie Hawn) was ready to do with Tony Carlson (Chevy Chase) in this 1978 comedy-thriller about a twisted murder plot based in San Francisco. Dudley Moore co-starred as Stanley Tibbets, the orchestra conductor and 'closet' wanna-be playboy. Also appearing were Burgess Meredith (Mr. Hennessey), Billy Barty (J.J. MacKuen) and Brian Dennehy (Detective Ferguson). [Paramount 1116 (116 minutes)]

The movie features Barry's "Copacabana (At The Copa)" and the Academy Award-Best Song from a Motion Picture-nominated "Ready To Take A Chance Again". The movie inspired an ABC-TV series of the same name (January-August 1981).

Barry Manilow starred in this 1986 Made-for-TV movie about Lola Lamar, the showgirl "with yellow feathers in her hair and a dress cut down to there" (played by Annette O'Toole); Rico Castelli, who "wore a diamond" (played by Joseph Bologna), and Tony Starr, who "tended bar" (played by Barry Manilow).

Tony is charmed by Lola and love blooms between the two. But Rico sweet-talks chorus girl Lola into working for him in Havana, promising her a chance at the big time. When Tony learns that Rico's intentions are not exactly honorable, chaos erupts... [Dick Clark Cinema Productions, Inc., Image ID1813DPDVD (DVD, 8/20/2002), Image ID1812DP (VHS, 8/20/2002) (95 minutes)].

The TV Soundtrack features Barry on "Changing My Tune", "Lola", "Who Needs To Dream", "Call Me Mr. Lucky", "Big City Blues", "Sweet Heaven (I'm In Love Again)" and (of course) "Copacabana (At The Copa)".

Movie is featured on Manilow Archives Episode #63 aired January 2015.

You may ask... 'What does Barry Manilow have to do with this Disney-animated film from 1988?'  Well, it's the song "Perfect Isn't Easy" (lyrics by Jack Feldman and Bruce Sussman, music by Barry Manilow), performed by Bette Midler and produced by Barry Manilow!

The movie and motion picture soundtrack album to this 1994 John Waters' comedy, Serial Mom, starring Kathleen Turner, Sam Waterston, Ricki Lake, Matthew Lillard and Justin Whalin, including a cameo appearance by Suzanne Somers, features Barry Manilow's "Daybreak."

Along with Jack Feldman and Bruce Sussman, Barry Manilow wrote the songs for Don Bluth's 1994 animated presentation of Hans Christian Andersen's Thumbelina, a story about a tiny girl (Thumbelina) who meets a tiny prince (Cornelius), as told by swallow extraordinaire Jacquimo.

Before the girl and prince can follow their hearts, trouble starts when "Mama Toad Kidnaps Thumbelina", and so the adventure begins as the two remain separated. Love ultimately conquers and the two fly away to "see the universe and dance on Saturn's rings." [Warner Home Video 24000 (VHS), Fox 2002928DVD (DVD, 2/19/2002) (86 minutes)]

The movie and soundtrack feature Barry Manilow and Debra Byrd's end title duet, "Let Me Be Your Wings".

The Singing Cast includes Jodi Benson, Carol Channing, Charo, Gino Conforti, Barbara Cook, Gary Imhoff, Randy Crenshaw and "The Toads".

Bruce Sussman and Barry Manilow wrote the lyrics and music for this magical story about Hubie (voice by Martin Short), a wacky & wimpy (but shy & romantic) penguin, who has his eyes on Marina (voice by Annie Golden). But so does the mean & evil Drake (voice by Tim Curry). [MGM/UA Home Video M505247 (VHS), MGM/UA 905403DVD (DVD, 1/19/1999) (74 minutes)]

Hubie finds the perfect pebble as an engagement stone which he must get to Marina before the full-moon mating ceremony. But Drake throws Hubie into treacherous waters, where Hubie meets Rocko (voice by James Belushi) aboard the Good Ship Misery. Rocko helps Hubie find his way back to the Antarctica... and Marina for "Now And Forever" (the end title duet performed by Barry Manilow and Sheena Easton).

Tribute: Barry Manilow's "We Still Have Time" is the theme for this motion picture which stars Jack Lemmon, Bob Clark, Lee Remick and Robby Benson (1980).
After having been devastated and publicly humiliated by her husband's affair, Birdee Calvert-Pruitt (Sandra Bullock) finds herself lost and hopeless in 1998's Hope Floats. But with a little inspiration from her family, she swallows what little pride she has left and visits the local employment agency, and on the radio to start the new day off right? Barry's "Daybreak." Gena Rowlands (as Ramona), Harry Connick Jr. (as Justin Matisse), Mae Whitman (as Bernice) co-star.

Is this... Your Man? Well, in the 1987 movie Heat, Burt Reynolds plays tough-guy Nick Escalante who, in an early scene at a coffee shop in Las Vegas, steps over to the jukebox and picks a song that lets you know he's older, he's wiser, and you can bet he's goin' to surprise ya... Yup, Barry Manilow's "I'm Your Man."
Can't Hardly Wait: Barry Manilow's "Mandy" becomes the inspiration for a key storyline in this comedy about last chances and new beginnings for the graduating class of Huntington Hills High, including students Preston (Ethan Embry) and Amanda (Jennifer Love Hewitt). The 1998 film also includes "Ready To Take A Chance Again."

UNCONDITIONAL LOVE (WHO SHOT VICTOR FOX):
Release Date: 13 September 2002 (UK)
Debut on Starz!: 02 August 2003 (US). Barry appears as himself ("Can't Smile Without You") in this 'heart-warming' comedy directed by P.J. Hogan and produced by Jerry Zucker. Rupert Everett and Kathy Bates star as a "British valet (and) middle-aged housewife [who] unite to avenge the death of a mutual love interest." [New Line Home Entertainment (New Line Cinema) 794043631627 (DVD, 10/7/2003) (122 minutes)]

Along with songs by recording artists will.i.am and Boston, Barry Manilow's "Copacabana (At The Copa)" is prominently featured in this Dreamworks 2008 animated film, Madagascar 2: Escape 2 Africa.
Hellboy II: The Golden Army - During a hilarious scene, Abe Sapien (Doug Jones) and Hellboy aka Red (Ron Perlman) find themselves doing a drunken duet to Barry Manilow's "Can't Smile Without You" in Guillermo del Toro's 2008 film sequel.

This Page Created February 23, 2000 (Last Updated January 20, 2015)
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