Mrs. Doubtfire

Mrs. Doubtfire
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Chris Columbus
Screenplay by	Randi Mayem Singer Leslie Dixon
Produced by	Marsha Garces Williams Robin Williams Mark Radcliffe
Starring	Robin Williams Sally Field Lisa Jakub Matthew Lawrence Mara Wilson Pierce Brosnan Harvey Fierstein
Cinematography	Donald McAlpine
Edited by	Raja Gosnell
Music by	Howard Shore
Production company	Blue Wolf Productions
Distributed by	20th Century Fox
Release date	November 24, 1993 (1993-11-24)
Running time	125 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$25,000,000
Box office	$441,286,195

Mrs. Doubtfire is a 1993 American comedy film, starring Robin Williams (who also served as co-producer) and Sally Field and based on the novel Alias Madame Doubtfire by Anne Fine. It was directed by Chris Columbus and distributed by 20th Century Fox. It won the Academy Award for Best Makeup. Although the film received mixed reviews during its original theatrical run, subsequent reevaluation has been more positive: the film was placed 67th in the American Film Institute's 100 Years, 100 Laughs: America's Funniest Movies, a list of the 100 funniest movies of the 20th century, and was also rated No. 40 on Bravo's 100 Funniest Movies of All Time. The original music score was composed by Howard Shore.

In 2001, a sequel titled Mrs. Doubtfire 2 began production by Bonnie Hunt, but was repeatedly scrapped since Williams believed the script to be useless. However, in 2014, the sequel re-began production, only to be cancelled after Williams' death.

Plot

Daniel Hillard is a voice actor living in California, who quits his job at an animation studio following a disagreement over a questionable script. He is a devoted father to his three children Lydia, Chris, and Natalie. However, Daniel is not a very responsible husband, and when he throws a rousing birthday party for Chris, his wife Miranda takes it a sign Daniel is too immature and seeks a divorce. At their first custody hearing, the judge grants Miranda custody of the children, since Daniel has neither residence nor job.

Daniel soon learns that Miranda intends to hire a housekeeper to care of the children. Seeing this as a chance to spend more time with his kids; surreptitiously alters her classifieds form. Daniel calls Miranda several times, using his voice acting to trick her into thinking that many lousy job applicants are calling. He then calls her as an elderly Scottish-accented nanny, whom he dubs "Mrs. Euphegenia Doubtfire". Impressed with her alleged qualifications, Miranda invites "Mrs. Doubtfire" for an interview. Daniel enlists his gay brother Frank, a makeup artist, and Frank's partner Jack to transform him into the character.

After being further impressed by the interview, Miranda hires Mrs. Doubtfire. The children initially struggle to adjust to Mrs. Doubtfire's strict methods, while Miranda quickly befriends "her". Daniel, who had to learn several skills, improves himself and his apartment as well. One day Chris and Lydia learn that Mrs. Doubtfire is their father in disguise, but Daniel tells them that he wears the costume so he can see his children every day. Glad that he is back with them, both agree to keep it secret from Miranda and Natalie.

Daniel also has a job at a TV station. CEO Jonathan Lundy sees Daniel clowning around with toy dinosaurs on the set of an outdated children's program that is on the cusp of cancellation. Impressed with Daniel's ingenuity, Lundy invites him to dinner in order for Daniel to pitch ideas as the new host. Miranda, meanwhile, invites Mrs. Doubtfire to a birthday dinner arranged by romantic interest Stuart Dunmire scheduled at the same time and place. Unable to reschedule either appointment, Daniel goes to the restaurant and tries to rotate between both dinners, changing in and out of the Mrs. Doubtfire costume in the restroom. He consumes several alcoholic beverages between the two tables and becomes tipsy. He forgets to change out of the Mrs. Doubtfire costume before returning to Lundy's table and dumps pepper (an ingredient Stuart is allergic to) on Stuart's order. When Lundy questions the costume, Daniel covers for his mistake by explaining that his alter ego is his idea for a new television persona. Impressed, Lundy agrees that is a good character. At Miranda's table, Stuart starts choking on the pepper. Out of regret, Daniel, still in the Mrs. Doubtfire costume, administers the Heimlich maneuver on Stuart. During the struggle, Daniel's mask peels off, revealing his identity. Horrified, Miranda storms out of the restaurant with the children.

At their next custody hearing, despite Daniel demonstrating he has a job and a suitable home, the judge is disturbed by Daniel's unorthodox behavior, and grants Miranda full custody of the children, with Daniel limited to supervised visitation once a week. Without Mrs. Doubtfire, the children again are withdrawn and depressed, and Miranda admits that their lives were so much better with "her". However, they are delighted when they see Daniel dressed as Mrs. Doubtfire hosting his own television program, "Euphegenia's House", which becomes a hit and looks like it will be aired on networks throughout American cities. Miranda pays a visit to Daniel after he wraps up one episode. Congratulating him on his success, she admits the kids were happier with him involved and is making efforts to appeal the custody ruling. Later the kids are greeted by Daniel, now undisguised and without supervision, who takes them out for the day. Miranda watches a Euphegenia's House episode where Mrs. Doubtfire answers a letter from a little girl whose parents are divorcing, saying no matter what living arrangements families have; love will prevail.

Cast

• Robin Williams as Daniel Hillard / Euphegenia Doubtfire
• Sally Field as Miranda Hillard
• Lisa Jakub as Lydia "Lydie" Hillard
• Matthew Lawrence as Christopher "Chris" Hillard
• Mara Wilson as Natalie "Nattie" Hillard
• Pierce Brosnan as Stuart "Stu" Dunmeyer
• Harvey Fierstein as Franklin "Frank" Hillard
• Scott Capurro as Jack
• Robert Prosky as Jonathan Lundy
• Polly Holliday as Gloria Cheney
• Anne Haney as Mrs. Sellner
• Martin Mull as Justin Gregory
• William Newman as Mr. Sprinkles
• Todd Williams as Todd the Bartender
• Terry McGovern as Lou

Production

Filming

The San Francisco house used for exterior shots of the film, taken a few days after Robin Williams' death. A fan-made tribute to Williams can be seen at its front steps.

Chicago was the studio's first choice for filming. However, two new television shows (ER and Chicago Hope) had a lease with the city around the same time period, and the production team eventually went with San Francisco. Various locations in the city were used for filming. Parts were shot at the studios of television station KTVU in Oakland. The street signs for the intersection near the "Painted Lady" home, Steiner and Broadway, were visible on-screen. The exact address 2640 Steiner Street 37°47′38.07″N 122°26′10.78″W became a tourist attraction for some time after the film's release. Following Robin Williams' death on August 11, 2014, the house became an impromptu memorial. Though the film's home exteriors were impressive, its interiors were all shot in a warehouse in the Bay Area that was turned into a soundstage. Williams' character Daniel Hillard lived upstairs from Danilo Bakery at 516 Green St. and his children attended a school at Filbert and Taylor.

The makeup for Mrs. Doubtfire's appearance took 4 hours to apply. Since the film was released, Williams has recounted on several occasions how he used to walk through San Francisco dressed in full Mrs. Doubtfire make-up and costume and on one occasion, visiting a sex shop to buy a large dildo.

The restaurant scene was filmed in an actual upscale restaurant called Bridges Restaurant & Bar in downtown Danville, California, which is still in operation, as of November 2024.

Music

Untitled

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic

Tracklisting

1. "Mrs. Doubtfire" - 2:58
2. "Divorce" -2:56
3. "My Name Is Else Immelman - 2:55
4. "Meeting Mrs. Doubtfire – 2:14
5. "Tea Time With Mrs. Sellner" - 3:58
6. "Dinner Is Served" - 2:18
7. "Daniel and the Kids" - 2:29
8. "Cable Cars" - 4:56
9. "Bridges Restaurant" - 6:13
10. "Show's Over" - 3:26
11. "The Kids Need You" - 3:21
12. "Figaro / Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" - 3:23

The score was composed, orchestrated, and conducted by Howard Shore. The song Robin Williams sings at the cartoon voiceover in the beginning is "Largo al factotum". Other songs featured often were chosen referencing the identity of Mrs. Doubtfire. These songs include:

• "Dude (Looks Like a Lady)" performed by Aerosmith
• "Walk Like a Man" performed by The Four Seasons
• "Luck Be a Lady" performed by Frank Sinatra
• "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" performed by James Brown

Additionally, these songs were featured:

• "Jump Around" performed by House of Pain
• "Stormy Monday Blues" performed by B.B. King and Albert Collins

Reaction

Box office

The film earned $219,195,243 in the United States, along with $222,090,952 in other countries, for a worldwide total of $441,286,195. It became the second highest grossing film of 1993, behind only Jurassic Park.

Critical reception

At the time of its release, several critics compared Mrs. Doubtfire unfavorably with Some Like It Hot (1959) and others who viewed the film favorably noted its similarity to Tootsie (1982).

Mrs. Doubtfire has a "Fresh" rating of 71% with an average score of 5.8 out of 10 on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 49 reviews. On Metacritic, the film holds a score of 53 / 100, indicating "mixed or average" review, based on 16 critics.

Accolades

• 66th Academy Awards
  • Best Makeup (Won)

• 51st Golden Globe Awards
  • Best Picture (Musical/Comedy) (Won)
  • Best Actor (Musical/Comedy) - Robin Williams (Won)

BAFTA Awards

• 1994
  • Best Makeup & Hair (nominee)

American Film Institute Lists

• AFI's 100 Years... 100 Laughs - No. 67
• AFI's 100 Years... 100 Songs:
  • Dude (Looks Like a Lady) - Nominated

Sequel

In 2001, Mrs. Doubtfire 2 began being developed by Bonnie Hunt. Robin Williams was set to return in disguise as an old nanny. Due to problems with the script, re-writing began in 2006 as Williams was unhappy with the plot, but the sequel was again "scrapped" later that year. The sequel's story involved Williams as Mrs. Doubtfire moving close to Lydia's college so he could keep an eye on her. Afterwards, Williams said the film's sequel was scrapped. Stating his reasons, he said, "The script didn't work."

As of April 17, 2014, a sequel was in development at 20th Century Fox. Williams and Chris Columbus were expected to return, and Elf screenwriter David Berenbaum was writing the script. However, following Williams' death on August 11, 2014, plans for a sequel were cancelled. However, it is possible that most presumed filming scenes from Mrs. Doubtfire 2 could have occurred when Williams was alive and could possibly be released as a dedicated film to Williams.

In popular culture

• Robin Williams as the Genie performs a spoof reprisal of his role as Mrs. Doubtfire in Aladdin and the King of Thieves when he tries to give a dejected Jasmine some moral support.
• In the How I Met Your Mother episode "The Playbook," Barney performs the role of Mrs. Doubtfire as Mrs. Stinsfire as a trick to pick up girls.
• Tobias Fünke (David Cross) dresses up as an elderly nanny named Mrs. Featherbottom in Arrested Development to get closer to his daughter, something described by the narrator as "the exact plot of Mrs. Doubtfire."
• In the Hot in Cleveland episode "Don Elka," Simon performs the role of Mrs. Doubtfire as Mrs. McCrakin as to disguises to win back his first love Joy.
• In the Simpsons episode "Simpsoncalifragilisticexpiala(Annoyed Grunt)cious," Homer chases away an elderly nanny named Mrs. Pennyfeather, having seen Mrs. Doubtfire and thus believing her to be a man in drag.
• In an episode of Bobby's World, when Bobby's mother initially refuses to allow his uncle ted to babysit him, Ted disguises himself as a woman named Mrs. Nouggiefire.
• In a segment of the Viewer mail #2 episode of Family Guy titled "Fatman & Robin," many of Williams' characters are referenced, including Mrs. Doubtfire, who advises Peter, "Time to lose some weight, dearie."

See also

• Avvai Shanmughi, the 1996 re-make in Indian Tamil-language
• Chachi 420, the 1998 re-make in Indian Hindi-language
• Cross-dressing in film and television

External links

• Mrs. Doubtfire at IMDb
• Mrs. Doubtfire at the TCM Movie Database
• Mrs. Doubtfire at AllMovie
• Mrs. Doubtfire at Box Office Mojo