Arthur (film)

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Arthur
Directed by Steve Gordon
Written by Steve Gordon
Starring Dudley Moore
Liza Minnelli
John Gielgud
Geraldine Fitzgerald
Jill Eikenberry
Stephen Elliott
Ted Ross
Barney Martin
Helen Hanft
Music by Burt Bacharach
Studio Orion Pictures
Distributed by Warner Bros.
Release date(s) July 17, 1981
Running time 97 min
Language English
Budget $7,690,978
Followed by Arthur 2: On the Rocks

Arthur (1981) is a film set in New York City which tells the story of drunken millionaire playboy Arthur Bach (Dudley Moore), who is on the brink of an arranged marriage to a wealthy heiress, Susan Johnson (Jill Eikenberry).

Arthur earned over $82 million at the box office in the United States, placing it fourth on the box office charts for the year. It was notable for its title song, Best That You Can Do, co-written and sung by Christopher Cross. It was followed by a 1988 sequel, Arthur 2: On the Rocks, which was enough of a failure for star Dudley Moore to disown it.

This film is number 10 on Bravo's "100 Funniest Movies," and was number 53 on the American Film Institute's 100 Years...100 Laughs.

Contents

[edit] Plot summary

Arthur Bach is a spoiled playboy, and the heir to a vast fortune which he is told will only be his if he marries Susan. He does not love Susan, but his family thinks that she will make something of him. Arthur heeds to his family's needs and proposes to Susan but then meets a poor working-class woman, Linda Marolla (Liza Minnelli) and falls in love with her. When his family threatens to cut off Arthur's inheritance if he does not marry Susan, Arthur asks his valet, Hobson (John Gielgud), to help out.

[edit] Production

For the role of Arthur, Steve Gordon had originally considered George Segal; however, after the success of 10 he was replaced with Dudley Moore. Bud Cort originally accepted the role of Arthur, but he dropped out before production began.

[edit] Remake

It is reported that Arthur is to be remade at Warners with the British actor/comedian Russell Brand in the lead role.[1] Brand confirmed this during his March 10, 2009 appearance on The Howard Stern Show.

[edit] Academy Awards

Wins:

Nominations:

[edit] Honors

American Film Institute recognition

[edit] References

[edit] External links