Beethoven's 2nd (film)
Beethoven's 2nd | |
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![]() Beethoven's 2nd poster | |
Directed by | Rod Daniel |
Written by | John Hughes (characters) (as Edmond Dantes) Amy Holden Jones (characters) Len Blum (written by) |
Produced by | Michael C. Gross Joe Medjuck |
Starring | Charles Grodin Bonnie Hunt Nicholle Tom Christopher Castile Sarah Rose Karr Debi Mazar Chris Penn |
Cinematography | Bill Butler |
Edited by | William D. Gordean Sheldon Kahn |
Music by | Randy Edelman |
Distributed by | Universal Pictures |
Release date | December 17, 1993 (USA) |
Running time | 89 minutes (95 minutes with deleted scenes) |
Country | USA |
Language | English |
Beethoven's 2nd is a 1993 family film, and the first sequel to the 1992 film, Beethoven. It starred Charles Grodin and Bonnie Hunt, and Beethoven's four puppies, Tchaikovsky, Chubby, Dolly, and Mo. This is the second installment in the Beethoven film series. There was never going to be a theatrical sequel to Beethoven until the box office success of the film and home video sales were higher than expected.
Cast
- Charles Grodin - George Newton
- Bonnie Hunt - Alice Newton
- Nicholle Tom - Ryce Newton
- Christopher Castile - Ted Newton
- Sarah Rose Karr - Emily Newton
- Debi Mazar - Regina
- Chris Penn - Floyd
- Ashley Hamilton - Taylor Devereaux
- Danny Masterson - Seth
- Catherine Reitman - Janie
- Maury Chaykin - Cliff Klamath
- Heather McComb - Michelle
- Felix Heathcombe - Percy Pennypacker
- Scott Waara - Banker
- Jeff Corey - Gus, the Janitor
- Virginia Capers - Miss Linda Anderson
- Jordan Bond - Jordan, the Newspaper Boy
- Pat Jankiewicz - Arthur Lewis
- Damien Rapp - Teen Heckler
Debi Mazar, who plays wicked Regina, a modern-day Cruella de Vil, is a known dog lover, unlike her character.
Christopher Masterson had a small role in the film, however, his older brother, Danny Masterson, had a leading role in the film. The two were not playing brothers in the movie so neither one mentioned to anyone that they were related. When producers went to view the film, they noticed the resemblance and reshot all of Chris's scenes with another actor.
Kevin Dunn, who plays Missy's true owner, Brillo, is uncredited.
Production
All park scenes were filmed in Montana at Glacier National Park, though only California was specified as location in the film.
The movie's theme song, "The Day I Fall in Love", performed by Dolly Parton and James Ingram, was nominated for an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, and a Grammy Award for Best Song from a Motion Picture.
The instrumental "Kentucky Square Dance" by Larry Hochman from Associated Production Music is featured in the fairgrounds scene.
Deleted scenes
The following scenes were never shown in theaters, video, or DVD; only on television:
- Ted removing his jacket to use it as a cover for the puppies he and Emily were placing in a cardboard box.
- Ted and Emily are trapped in the apartment garage (where Regina and Floyd reside), so they try to open the garage door by stepping on a wire that opens it, but to no avail. However, Beethoven chews on the wire, which causes the garage to open.
- After George Newton finds out about the puppies, the next scene shows him stapling fliers on each tree saying "Puppies for sale", while Emily secretly takes them off one-by-one, then attempts to potty-train them next to a hydrant, but it becomes very difficult for him.
- The Newtons were packing all of their belongings and gear into their car before leaving their house.
- After the McDonald's scene, the Newtons are singing car songs.
- During the stay at their lake house, Ted secretly picks out air fresheners from the local convenience store.
- Emily telling her mom that she taught their puppy Tchaikovsky, but he doesn't really follow her at all afterwards.
- At Taylor's party, it shows Beethoven struggling to get free from the support beam, with the glass bottles shown shaking frequently. Although the scene where the three party guys are shown pouring beer onto Beethoven is edited out (but not in the final cut of the film).
- During The fair scene when George is eating the kids show up to take him to the eating contest with Beethoven,the scene originally ends with George saying "What kind of a contest is it where you just sit?" however there is an extended version which shows them walking away with Ted saying "C'mon Dad"
- After George's nightmare sequence of a lot of puppies in his living room, the Newton family's commercial airs on their TV and they all begin to watch it. The difference here (compared to the final cut of the film) is that once the doorbell rang (after the commercial), Ryce stands up quickly from the couch and answers the door, instead of her shouting, "I'll get it!"
Reception
There is a scene in the movie where Nicholle Tom's character, Ryce, is locked in an attic by her drunk boyfriend, played by Ashley Hamilton, in which he clearly plans on sexually assaulting her. Although Beethoven saves the day, many critics including Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel felt the scene treated the serious issue of date rape too lightly and/or that it was inappropriate for a family film.
This film has also been noticed by many (including The New York Times), to have a very similar plot from 101 Dalmatians.