| | | | The Flamingo Kid
(1984) |
young Matt Dillon stars as "The Flamingo Kid" in this warm and charming coming-of-age movie from Garry Marshall, who would go on to direct mega-hit "Pretty Woman" at the end of the 80's.
Matt's character is 18 year old Jeffrey Willis, a plumber's son from Brooklyn who ends up working at the 'exclusive' Long Island "El Flamingo Beach Club" in the summer of 1963.
Here, he finds himself in a very different environment and mixing with people very different from the proud and uncomplicated friends and family he has back home. Inevitably, he meets and falls in love with the beautiful and intelligent Carla who is charmingly played by Janet Jones.
As you might expect, Carla is from a priviliged background, and as is a recurring theme in the 80's, Jeffrey finds it difficult to be accepted by Carla's wealthy friends and family. Only her smooth talking salesman uncle, Phil Brodie -"The King", played with great charisma by Richard Crenna (famous as Col. Troutman in the Rambo series), takes any real interest in this bright new addition to Carla's life.
Jeffrey is very taken with "The King" and succumbs totally to his flattery, charm and talk of a future in his employ, much to the dismay of his proud father (Hector Elizondo), who, as a plumber believes in the honesty of a hard days work.
Any of you who have seen "Pretty Woman" (ie probably all of you!) will remember the Hotel Manager character, played by Hector Elizondo, for which he won a Golden Globe. Hector plays Dillon's father in "The Flamingo Kid" and brings the same qualities to this role. [see trivia]
Like any coming-of-age movie worth it's salt, The Flamingo Kid is full of interesting and colorful characters and situations. It is a very warm hearted film that will remind anyone of that period in their life where they took their first, tentative steps into the world and often found themselves at odds with their parents in persuing love and their dreams.
Garry Marshall both co-wrote the screenplay with Neal Marshall and directed the film, as is his trademark, with a fantastic and genuine warmth.
 Don't forget that The Flamingo Kid is now available to order on Widescreen DVD using our special 80s Retro Assistant...
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The Flamingo kid is kind of a cousin to Dirty Dancing, though this time it's one for the guys. It's the kind of film that you can't help but like, and you'll probably find that most people who have seen it, like it.
It has a great easygoing charm, much like Pretty Woman, but also has style, substance and a very warm regard for those late teen years that we all go through. If you haven't seen it, I urge you to rent or buy it. You won't be disappointed as long as you don't mind that its set in 1963, not 1983!
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Richard Crenna was nominated for a Golden Globe for his performance as "The King". 
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Actor John Turturro plays Ted from Pinky's. -Thanks to Ed Kotarski
The black friend of Jeffrey's - on his way to Notre Dame, on a basketball scholarship, is the actor Leon. -Thanks to Christine
Garry marshall considers actor Hector Elizondo to be a "lucky charm" in his movies. Ever since they first met in the early 80's, Hector has appeared in every single one of Marshall's movies and plays Dillon's father in Flamingo Kid.
Bronson Pinchot from "Beverly Hills Cop" and "Risky Business" plays a small role as 'Alfred'.
Janet Jones, Matt Dillon's upper-crusty love interest in the film is, in real life, married to hockey sensation Wayne Gretzky. -Thanks to Patrick Fogerty
Carole Davis who played Roxy in "Mannequin" also plays a small role as Joyce, the snobby daughter of the Brody's.
Marisa Tomei made her film debut in this movie! She plays Mandy, one of the bikini-clad girls who watches the card games near the beach. She is in at least one of those card game scenes, and utters only one line ("You're so drunk!") in the movie. -Thanks to Hershel Goulson
Brian Macnamara (Steve) and Fisher Stevens (Hawk) have appeared in 3 other movies together: "Short Circuit", When the Party's Over, and Mystery Date. -Thanks to Janene_machine
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Rediscover your favorites! If you like
The Flamingo Kid or 80's Romantic Comedy classics, then be sure to
check out this list: ..... Can't Buy Me Love ..... Say Anything ..... Some Kind Of Wonderful ..... Sixteen Candles ..... Valley Girl ..... Switching Channels ..... Grandview, U.S.A. ..... Dance 'til Dawn ..... Don't Tell Her It's Me ..... Mannequin ..... Teen Wolf ..... Secret of My Success ..... Secret Admirer ..... Pretty In Pink ..... She's Having a Baby ..... Dream A little Dream .....[More]
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The lead was originally to be played by Matthew Broderick. He dropped out and the whole part had to be re-written to fit Matt Dillon's acting style and personality difference. The Broderick character was very different. -Thanks to Ralph Garcia
The original name of the movie that was being considered during the filming was actually 'Sweet Ginger Brown' in reference to the Gin Rummy games featured in the movie. Obviously, this was changed prior to release. But a lot of the pre-production materials and local news reports of the filming of the movie at the time referenced this earlier title. -Thanks to Ed Tirakian
"The Flamingo Kid" was filmed at The Silver Gull Beach Club in Rockaway, New York. -Thanks to Nicole
The Adventure's Inn featured in the Flamingo Kid was located in Flushing, New York just off of the Bronx-Whitestone Expressway at Linden Place. It was originally part of an Amusement Park that closed in the mid 70's. The restaurant and arcade remained open until the early 80's. A large multiplex movie theatre and a Toys 'R us now take it's place!!!!!!!!! -Thanks to Rick
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|  |  |  | | The Flamingo Kid
Locations |
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 Featured Movie Location: "El Flamingo Beach Club"
Wanna see the real life filming location used for "El Flamingo Beach Club" in the movie? These scenes were actually shot at Silver Gull Beach Club, located in Rockaway, New York. [New! Show Google Map]
The movie shot at 'Adventure's Inn', which was an old luncheon/snack bar/restaurant and arcade in Flushing, Queens, New York -just off of the Bronx-Whitestone Expressway at Linden Place. It originally was part of an Amusement Park that closed in the mid 70's. The restaurant and arcade remained open until the early 80's. A large multiplex movie theatre and a Toys 'R us now take it's place. [Thanks to Scotty / Rick]
The information about the amusement park in the film called Adventurers Inn' is incorrect in both location and its demise. Not only is it stil in business but it's in Farmingdale Long Island (not Queens) and has changed it's name to Adventureland. [Thanks to Jim Resseque]
The Adventurers scene was also shot in Yonkers NY not in Queens. There used to be an adventurers on Central Avenue, which is now a Nathan's. It then moved lower down on Central Ave to Cross County. The Adventurers scene in the movie was shot in Yonkers at the Cross County Shopping Center-at the newer location. It was demolished and that space now holds the Multiplex. My lil brother and I got a kick out of seeing that Adventurers location when we went to the movies![Thanks to alissa]
Also the raceway betting scene was also filmed in Yonkers, NY at Yonkers Raceway which still exists. [Thanks to Mike]
Other locations include Brooklyn and Woodside.
The Flamingo Kid beach club scenes were filmed in Rockaway New York. [Thanks to Mike]
Can you help? Do you know any of the New York (or any other) filming locations used for The Flamingo Kid? [Please send them in]
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A pastiche of easy listening 60's tracks makes up the unremarkable soundtrack.
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Soundtrack Available:
Used Vinyl LP / Tape
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