With the help of a talking freeway billboard, a “wacky weatherman” tries to win the heart of an English newspaper reporter, who is struggling to make sense of the strange world of early-90s Los Angeles.

Credits: TheMovieDb.

Film Cast:

• Harris K. Telemacher: Steve Martin
• Sara McDowel: Victoria Tennant
• Roland Mackey: Richard E. Grant
• Trudi: Marilu Henner
• SanDeE: Sarah Jessica Parker
• Ariel: Susan Forristal
• Frank Swan: Kevin Pollak
• Morris Frost: Sam McMurray
• Mr. Perdue: Patrick Stewart
• Bob, News Anchor: Andrew Amador
• Gail: Gail Grate
• Maitre D’ at Brunch: Eddie De Harp
• Rap Waiter at L’Idiot: M.C. Shan
• June: Frances Fisher
• Cynthia: Iman
• Ted: Tommy Hinkley
• Tom: Larry Miller
• Sharon: Anne Crawford
• Sheila: Samantha McCoy
• Man: Thornton Simmons
• Crook: Dennis Dragon
• Bank Executive: Richard Stahl
• Boring Speaker: Aaron Lustig
• Woman: Julianna McCarthy
• Floss Waiter at L’Idiot: Time Winters
• Chef: Pierre Epstein
• Jesse: Wesley Thompson
• Straight Weatherman: George Plimpton
• Pilot: David Glyn Price
• Tony: Wesley Mann
• Tod PA: Mark Steen
• Tod PA: Jaime Gomez
• Tod PA: Amy Wallace
• Changing Room Woman: Cheryl Baker
• Old Woman: May Boss
• Co-Pilot: Scott Johnston
• Chainsaw Juggler: Robert Lind
• Hard Rock Patron: Tony Marsico
• Cameraman: Burt Nacke
• Airline Ticket Agent: Mary Pedersen
• Spokesmodel Teacher: Matt Stetson
• Roller Skater in Front of Tail O’ the Pup (uncredited): Paula Abdul
• Bellman (uncredited): Brian Banowetz
• Parking Valet (uncredited): Sean Michael Beyer
• Waiter (uncredited): Michael E. Burgess
• Carlo Christopher (uncredited): Chevy Chase
• Extra (uncredited): Tina Cote
• Boy in Yard (uncredited): Larry Echerer
• Harris’ Boss (uncredited): Woody Harrelson
• Sara’s Mother (voice) (uncredited): Terry Jones
• Gravedigger (uncredited): Rick Moranis
• Voicephone (voice) (uncredited): Robert Picardo
• Dressing Room Girl (uncredited): Cindra Skotzko
• Stage Hand (uncredited): Terri Wilson

Film Crew:

• Costume Design: Rudy Dillon
• Art Direction: Charles William Breen
• Editor: Richard A. Harris
• Producer: Michael I. Rachmil
• Director: Mick Jackson
• Executive Producer: Steve Martin
• Original Music Composer: Peter Rodgers Melnick
• Director of Photography: Andrew Dunn
• Producer: Daniel Melnick
• Casting: Mindy Marin
• Casting Assistant: Amy Wallace
• Executive Producer: Mario Kassar
• Location Manager: Jerry Ariganello
• Music Editor: Kathleen Bennett
• Production Sound Mixer: James E. Webb
• Sound Re-Recording Mixer: Andy Napell
• Special Effects Coordinator: Alan E. Lorimer
• Still Photographer: Marcia Reed
• Production Design: Lawrence Miller
• Script Supervisor: Pamela Alch
• Set Decoration: Chris Butler
• Unit Production Manager: Chris Coles
• Supervising Sound Editor: Lon Bender
• Supervising Sound Editor: Mark P. Stoeckinger
• Sound Re-Recording Mixer: Richard Portman
• First Assistant Editor: Jane Kass
• Stunt Coordinator: Joe Dunne
• Makeup Artist: Frank Griffin
• Hairstylist: Toni-Ann Walker
• Hairstylist: Joy Zapata
• Makeup Artist: Robert Ostermann

Movie Reviews:

• Peter McGinn: Okay, this is a bit of fluff, really, cinematically speaking. Comparable to a madcap comedy in the old days of cinema, it is witty and funny. I wouldn’t call it great, just good enough so that when I saw a DVD copy at a thrift store, I picked it up. I wouldn’t have thought to buy it new.
• Steve Martin wrote it, so you have weird little jokes like his character telling a blonde Bimbo girlfriend Sandy that her name is normal and not like a hippy name, and then she spells it S a n capital D, small e, capital E – well, you get the idea. Not Mensa level depth in humor, but harmless fun.
• The ensemble cast work well together to provide laughs and an interest in what happens to everyone. I could have done without the bed hopping at the hotel somewhere near the middle of the film, but it is what it is. The movie makes for a pleasant watch. After the pandemic, when you feel safe to have friends over, this would be a good one, because you won’t need to sweat not talking over it. People won’t lose the plot. The small element of fantasy with the freeway traffic signs is cute, too. Enjoy.
• JPV852: Quirky and off-kilter romantic-comedy that shines thanks to Steve Martin’s unique delivery and some weird humor that involves an omnipresent freeway billboard. Seen this one a few times over the years and still holds up; just an easy-going movie. **3.75/5**