Mr. North
- For the alternative rock band from Dublin, Ireland see Mrnorth.
| Mr. North | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Danny Huston |
| Produced by |
John Huston Steven Haft Skip Steloff Tom Shaw |
| Screenplay by |
John Huston James Costigan |
| Based on |
Theophilus North by Thornton Wilder |
| Starring | |
| Music by | David McHugh |
| Cinematography | Robin Vidgeon |
| Edited by | Roberto Silvi |
Production company |
Heritage Entertainment Inc. Showcase Productions International |
| Distributed by | The Samuel Goldwyn Company |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 93 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office |
$1,221,366[1] (limited release) |
Mr. North is a 1988 American comedy-drama film starring Anthony Edwards, based on the 1973 novel Theophilus North by Thornton Wilder.
Directed by Danny Huston, the film became a family project; produced by John Huston, it also stars Anjelica Huston, Danny's future wife Virginia Madsen, and Allegra Huston.
Plot
In 1920s Newport, Rhode Island, Theophilus North (Anthony Edwards) is an engaging, multi-talented, middle-class Yale graduate who spends the summer catering to the wealthy families of the city. He becomes the confidant of James McHenry Bosworth (Robert Mitchum), and a tutor and tennis coach to the families' children. He also befriends many from the city's servant class including Henry Simmons (Harry Dean Stanton), Amelia Cranston (Lauren Bacall), and Sally Boffin (Virginia Madsen).
Complications arise when some residents begin to ascribe healing powers to the static electricity shocks that Mr. North happens to generate frequently. Despite never claiming any healing or medical abilities, he is accused of quackery, and must, with the help of those he has befriended, defend himself.
In the end, Mr. North accepts a position of leadership at an educational and philosophical academy founded by Mr. Bosworth, and begins a romance with Bosworth's granddaughter Persis.
Cast
- Anthony Edwards as T. Theophilus North
- Robert Mitchum as James McHenry Bosworth
- Lauren Bacall as Amelia Cranston
- Harry Dean Stanton as Henry Simmons
- Anjelica Huston as Persis Bosworth-Tennyson
- Mary Stuart Masterson as Elspeth Skeel
- Virginia Madsen as Sally Boffin
- Tammy Grimes as Sarah Baily-Lewis
- David Warner as Dr. Angus McPherson
- Hunter Carson as Galloper Skeel
- Christopher Durang as YMCA clerk
- Mark Metcalf as George Skeel
- Katharine Houghton as Mrs. Skeel
- Thomas H. Needham as Judge Nicholas Catwalader
- Richard Woods as Willis
- Harriet Rogers as Tante Liselotte
- Layla Summers as Nadia Denby
- Lucas Hall as Joseph Denby
- Thomas-Laurence Hand as Luther Denby
- Linda Peterson as Mrs. Denby
- Cleveland Amory as Mr. Danforth
- Christopher Lawford as Michael Patrick Ennis III
Production
Director Danny Huston brought the original script by James Costigan to his father for feedback, and John Huston rewrote it with his Prizzi's Honor coauthor Janet Roach.[2] Eugene Lee was the Production Designer.
Originally John Huston was to play James McHenry Bosworth; but just after filming began, the illness that eventually killed him forced his withdrawal. He was quickly replaced by family friend Robert Mitchum.[2]
References
- ↑ "Mr. North". Box Office Mojo.
- 1 2 Longsdorf, Amy (November 17, 1988). "With 'Mr. North,' Danny Huston Gets His Bearings As A Director". The Morning Call.
External links
- Mr. North at the Internet Movie Database
- Mr. North at AllMovie
- Mr. North at Box Office Mojo
- Mr. North at Rotten Tomatoes