| | | | Tootsie
(1982) |
ne of the most charming films born of the 80's was the delightful cross-dressing comedy Tootsie starring Dustin Hoffman and directed by Sydney Pollack.
Michael Dorsey (Dustin Hoffman) is a New York method actor whose stubborn opinions on how he should play roles have earned him a reputation as 'difficult'. He is able to give succinct advice when teaching his fellow actors, but he can't seem to land a job himself. During a hilarious argument with his frustrated agent George Fields (Sydney Pollack), he is told that no-one will hire him. All Michael wants to do is raise enough money to put on a play written by his roomate Jeff (Bill Murray).
As part of his pro-active teaching methods, Michael takes his friend Sandy (Terri Garr) to try out for a part in a soap opera. In fact, he is better at being a confident woman than she is. When she doesn't get the part, Michael sees an opportunity to get work without the Dorsey stigma getting in the way. He transforms himself into Dorothy Michaels, sweet talkin' southern gal, with a stern and sometimes frighteningly forceful manner!
Dorothy's strong will wins a part in Southwest General, a wonderfully cheesy daytime soap where s/he meets co-stars Julie Nichols (Jessica Lange) and John Van Horn (George Gaynes). It is here that she is nicknamed Tootsie by the show's chauvenistic director (Dabney Coleman). Dorothy's cattle prod assertiveness increases her popularity with the hoards of female fans and the show's ratings skyrocket.
Complications arise as Dorothy starts to spend time with Julie and falls in love with her, but Julie's father Les (Charles Durning) also has his eye on the strong-willed southern belle, and Dorothy is caught in the middle! Watch out for the terrific montage at Les' farmhouse where the old romantic gazes at Dorothy whilst she falls for Julie!
Soon the pressure is too much, hopping from one identity to another is giving our harried actor an identity crisis, and so 'Tootsie' needs to come out of the closet.
 Don't forget that Tootsie is now available to order on Widescreen DVD using our special 80s Retro Assistant...
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Gender-bending dress-up comedies are a familiar screen formula. Other outings such as Some Like It Hot (1959) and Mrs Doubtfire (1993) have proved that it is a winning one.
In Tootsie, Dustin Hoffman's performance is so accomplished that you frequently forget he is playing two characters. Supported by a cast on top-form, Teri Garr's neurotic actress, Dabney Coleman's sleazy director, Bill Murray's droll roommate, and George Gaynes as the lecherous 'Tongue' give him room to deliver some of his finest work. The always vacant Jessica Lange (in an Oscar winning role) is charming enough as Michael's co-star, whilst Sydney Polack is a stand-out riot, and Charles Durning is unmissable as the sweet old chump who falls for the illusion.
Moments To Fast Rewind:
Murray: "You Sl*t!"
George Gaynes: "Does Jeff know?"
Dorothy accosting George Fields in the Russian Tea Room
Dorothy revealing her true identity.
Les singing 'That's All '
This is essential viewing, the sharp script, delightful supporting cast and masterful direction make Tootsie one of the funniest, most intelligent comedies you're ever likely to see.. Go Tootsie, go.
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"Tootsie" received 10 Oscar nominations including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, and two nominations for Best Supporting Actress for Teri Garr and Jessica Lange (Lange won the Oscar). 
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"Tootsie" was a huge hit at the box office, Grossed $177.2m in the US alone.
Bill Murray agreed to omit his name from the opening credits to prevent audiences expecting a "Bill Murray" movie along the lines of Meatballs or Caddyshack.
This movie was memorably spoofed on an episode of Steven Spielberg's early-90s cartoon "Tiny Toon Adventures". The episode was "Thirteensomething", written by Sherri Stoner, and it involved the character of Babs Bunny trying to pass herself off as human on a soap opera. Several lines from "Tootsie" are even directly quoted. -Thanks to John Edward Kilduff
Director Cameo: Sydney Pollack as Michael's agent, George Fields.
Tootsie marked Geena Davis' film debut.
Dustin Hoffman is credited twice:
Dustin Hoffman .... Michael Dorsey
Dustin Hoffman .... Dorothy Michaels
Other Taglines:
Desperate, he took a female role and became a star. If only he could tell the woman he loves.
What do you get when you cross a hopelessly straight starving actor with a dynamite red sequined dress? You get America's hottest new actress.
Can you keep a secret? In the next 72 hours, this desperate, unemployed actor will secretly audition for the lead of a soap opera. And become America's hottest new actress.
This Is a Hell of a Way To Make a Living.
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Find much more great trivia in the filmmaker's commentary on the Tootsie DVD.
Rediscover your favorites! If you like
Tootsie or 80's Comedy classics, then be sure to
check out this list: ..... Raising Arizona ..... Good Morning, Vietnam ..... Blues Brothers ..... Heathers ..... Fast Times At Ridgemont High ..... This Is Spinal Tap ..... Naked Gun ..... Adventures In Babysitting ..... Airplane ..... License To Drive ..... Money Pit ..... Porky's ..... Risky Business ..... Twins ..... Soul Man .....[More]
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The character of Dorothy originally did not speak with a Southern accent, but in doing research Dustin Hoffman discovered his voice fell more closely into the range of female pitch while doing the accent.
Dudley Moore was originally offered the role but turned it down. -Thanks to Kenneth Sutton
Dustin Hoffman suggested the title, which was his mother's nickname for him when he was a child. She "used to throw me up in the air and say, how' my tootsie wootsie?"
In Sydney recently, Sydney Pollack said "No one ever laughted during the shooting of any of the scenes of the film. It's only funny because of it's story structure." -Thanks to Stuart
Hoffman's four-pound silicone breasts cost $175 each. The size of bra that Dustin Hoffman wore in the movie was a 36C. -Thanks to Krystal
Drag queen Holly Woodlawn was one of Dustin Hoffman's coaches for this movie. Woodlawn's own Svengali has a brief cameo in this movie. That's right...I'm talking about the high priest of Pop Art, Mr. Andy Warhol. -Thanks to John Edward Kilduff
Hoffman allegedly tried out his role as 'Dorothy' by passing himself off as his daughter's Aunt Dorothy at her parents' evening at school. Apparently he convinced the teachers. -Thanks to Stephanie Osborne
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|  |  |  | | Tootsie
Locations |
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Locations include the Hurley Mountain Inn, Hurley, New York (bar scene) and The Russian Tea Room, New York City.
The Farm scene was filmed in Huley NY at the historic Wynkoop Farm owned by the Updall family. It is just up the road from the Huley Mountain Inn. [Thanks to David Burgess]
National Sound studios provided the location at which the soap was "shot." You can see the word National in the background whenever the soap actors leave work and are then approached by autograph seekers. It's at 460 West 42nd Street --I used to do voiceover promos there.
I saw another familiar location --Michael and Jeff's apartment is located on the third floor of 15-17 West 18th Street, which is a building that is now full of loft-style apartments. (A friend of mine lived in that very building with her husband on the 4th floor.) [Thanks to RL]
Well I am wondering if it was used in tootsie. There was a movie filmed where I work now on West 4th Street at Boxer's Restaurant and Bar. Some customers told me Jessica Lange played a bartender and they closed the bar for days. The address is 190 West 4th. [Thanks to Leighann]
Can you help? Do you know any of the New York, New York (or any other) filming locations used for Tootsie? [Please send them in]
|  | | | | ![[16:9 -Widescreen Enhanced]](16_9.gif) | ![[5.1 CH SURROUND]](dd5.gif) | Trailer, Commentary |
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Exceptional work from jazzer Dave Grusin who composed the melodious and memorable score. It also featured the very successful classic ballad 'It Might Be You' sung by Stephen Bishop. It was released on CD by Warner with a Japanese pressing, but is sickeningly scarce.
1. It Might Be You (Theme From "Tootsie")
2. An Actor's Life (Main Title)
3. Metamorphosis Blues (It Might Be You) - Instrumental
4. Don't Let It Get You Down
5. Montage Pastorale (It Might Be You)
6. Tootsie
7. Working Girl March
8. Sandy's Song
9. Out Of The Rain
10. Media Zap
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Soundtrack Available:
Used On CD
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