Buddy (1997 film) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Buddy |
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Theatrical release poster
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| Directed by | Caroline Thompson |
| Produced by | Fred Fuchs Steve Nicolaides Francis Ford Coppola (uncredited) |
| Screenplay by | Caroline Thompson |
| Story by | William Joyce Caroline Thompson |
| Starring | |
| Music by | Elmer Bernstein |
| Cinematography | Steve Mason |
| Editing by | Jonathan Shaw |
| Distributed by | Sony Pictures Releasing |
| Release date(s) | June 6, 1997 (United States) September 25, 1997 (Australia) |
| Running time | 84 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $19 million |
| Money made | $10.1 million |
Buddy is a 1997 American family comedy film written and directed by Caroline Thompson and produced by Columbia Pictures and Jim Henson Pictures. It starred Rene Russo as Mrs. Gertrude "Trudy" Lintz and Robbie Coltrane as her husband.
The film was based on the life of a gorilla called Massa with elements of Gertrude Lintz's other gorilla Gargantua (who was called "Buddy" at the time). In real life, Massa became the oldest gorilla on record until 2008, while Buddy/Gargantua died young as a circus attraction and his remains are now on display in a museum.
The gorilla suit used for Buddy was created by Jim Henson's Creature Shop.
Plot
Millionaire animal lover and overall spoiled rich girl Trudy (Rene Russo) adds Buddy, a gorilla, to her family. Buddy finds life in the city very difficult to deal with. Although Trudy raises him as her own son in her mansion (which also houses a few comical chimpanzees, a kitten, a horse, a cheeky talking green parrot, her prize-winning champion pack of briards, a raccoon, and a flock of geese), he becomes hard to control due to his strength. A particularly bad experience in the Chicago World's fair makes things even harder for Buddy. After he goes on an aggressive rampage and nearly destroys Trudy's home, Buddy is taken to an ape sanctuary to live among his own kind in peace.
Cast
- Rene Russo as Gertrude "Trudy" Lintz
- Robbie Coltrane as Dr. Bill Lintz
- Alan Cumming as Dick Croner
- Paul Reubens as Professor Spatz
- Dane Cook as Fair Cop
- Peter Elliott as Buddy the Gorilla
- Jerry Nelson as Ape 1, Raccoon, Goose 1
- Steve Whitmire as Ape 2, Porcupine, Dog, Goose 2
- Frank Oz as Horse, Ape 3, Goose 3
- Dave Goelz as Parrot, Goose 4, Turtle
Dane Cook cameos as a cop at the Chicago World's fair. Buddy operated by Peter Elliott (adult Buddy), Lynn Robertson Bruce (juvenile Buddy), Peter Hurst, Mark Sealey (toddler Buddy), Michelan Sisti, Leif Tilden, Star Townsend, Robert Tygner, and Mak Wilson (facial controls). Buddy's vocal effects provided by Hector C. Gika, Gary A. Hecker, and Frank Welker.
See also
In Spanish: Buddy (película) para niños
