The Flamingo Kid
| The Flamingo Kid | |
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Theatrical release poster
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| Directed by | Garry Marshall |
| Produced by |
Michael Phillips Nick Abdo (associate producer) |
| Written by |
Garry Marshall Neal Marshall Bo Goldman |
| Starring | |
| Music by | Curt Sobel |
| Cinematography | James A. Contner |
| Edited by | Priscilla Nedd-Friendly |
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Production
company |
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| Distributed by | 20th Century Fox |
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Release date
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Running time
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100 min. |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $31.6 million |
The Flamingo Kid is a 1984 American comedy film directed by Garry Marshall and written by Marshall, Neal Marshall and Bo Goldman. It stars Matt Dillon, Richard Crenna, Hector Elizondo, and Janet Jones. It tells the story of a working class boy who takes a summer job at a beach resort and learns valuable life lessons. It was the first movie to receive a PG-13 rating, although it was the fifth to be released with that rating, after Red Dawn, The Woman in Red, Dreamscape, and Dune.
The film's Tagline is A legend in his own neighborhood.
In the summer of 1963, Jeffrey Willis (Matt Dillon) joins some friends for a day of Gin rummy at the El Flamingo Club, a private beach resort. There, he meets the girl of his dreams Carla Sampson (Janet Jones). After the Gin game and being told of the club's strict policy regarding guests, Jeffrey is upset, but not for long, since he immediately landed a job as a car valet and eventually, cabana steward. Jeffrey is a kid from a middle class Brooklyn family and his father (Elizondo) does not approve of him working at the private club.
His hero and mentor at the resort is the reigning Gin rummy card game champ, Phil Brody (Crenna).
Jeffrey, a winning Gin Rummy player himself, and his friends, admire Brody and how his wins at the Gin rummy table make him seem "psychic," knowing which cards to give up. Brody also takes a liking to Jeffrey, eventually showing him his car business, and gives him hopes that car sales are where he belongs as a career.
Jeffrey gets further immersed in the "easy buck," defying his father's guidance. During dinner, Jeffrey notably says he "will not be needing college" and plans to pursue being a car salesman instead. Jeffrey and his co-workers at The Flamingo also venture to Yonkers Raceway together, risking cash on a horse tip but come up short when the trotter breaks stride.
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Wikipedia