Bugsy Malone facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bugsy Malone
Theatrical release poster by Charles Moll
Directed by	Alan Parker
Produced by	Alan Marshall
Written by	Alan Parker
Starring	Jodie Foster Scott Baio John Cassisi
Music by	Paul Williams
Cinematography	Peter Biziou Michael Seresin
Editing by	Gerry Hambling
Distributed by	Fox-Rank Distributors (United Kingdom) Paramount Pictures (United States)
Release date(s)	September 15, 1976 (1976-09-15)
Running time	93 minutes
Country	United Kingdom United States
Language	English Italian
Budget	£575,000-£1 million
Money made	$2.8 million

Bugsy Malone is a super fun 1976 gangster musical comedy film! It was written and directed by Alan Parker, and it was his very first movie. This film is special because it stars child actors playing grown-up roles. Some of the main young stars were Jodie Foster, Scott Baio, and John Cassisi.

The movie tells the exciting story of a character named "Bugsy Malone" and the big fight for power between two rival gangs, led by "Fat Sam" and "Dandy Dan."

The story is set in New York City and makes fun of old gangster movies. Instead of real guns, the characters use "splurge guns" that shoot out lots of whipped cream! The film is loosely based on real events from the 1920s in New York and Chicago, a time when alcohol was illegal (called the Prohibition Era). It takes ideas from famous gangsters like Al Capone. Alan Parker made the story much lighter and fun for kids, which is why it got a "G" rating in the U.S.

Bugsy Malone first showed at the 1976 Cannes Film Festival and was released in cinemas in 1976. It was a big hit in the UK! Critics loved the story, the songs, and how unique the movie was, especially the acting by the young cast, like Jodie Foster.

The film has won some cool awards too! It got eight nominations at the 30th British Academy Film Awards and won three, including "Best Supporting Actress" for Jodie Foster and "Best Screenplay" for Alan Parker.

What is Bugsy Malone About?

The Story of Gangs and Cream Guns

The movie takes place during the Prohibition Era, a time when selling alcohol was against the law. A gangster named Roxy Robinson gets "splurged" by a rival gang using special cream-shooting "splurge guns." Once you're splurged, you're "all washed up... finished!"

We meet Fat Sam, a boss of a secret club called a Speakeasy. He introduces us to Bugsy Malone, who promotes boxing but doesn't have much money. At Fat Sam's club, everyone is dancing and singing to the song "Fat Sam's Grand Slam." Fat Sam is worried because his enemy, Dandy Dan, wants to take over his business.

New Friends and Big Plans

Blousey Brown, a young girl who wants to be a singer, comes to audition. But Fat Sam is too busy worrying about Dandy Dan. Bugsy meets Blousey when he accidentally trips over her bags. He really likes her and starts to flirt.

Suddenly, Dandy Dan's gang attacks Fat Sam's club! They shoot up the place with their splurge guns. Dandy Dan's gang keeps attacking Fat Sam's businesses, taking over his rackets and splurging his gang members. Fat Sam sends his men to find the guns, but they get ambushed and splurged too.

Bugsy goes back to Fat Sam's to help Blousey get another audition. Tallulah, Fat Sam's girlfriend and a singer at the club, tries to flirt with Bugsy. Even though Bugsy isn't interested, Tallulah gives him a big kiss just as Blousey walks in, making Blousey feel jealous. Fat Sam hires Blousey after her audition, but she's still upset with Bugsy.

Adventures and a Creamy Battle

Fat Sam asks Bugsy to go with him to a meeting with Dandy Dan. It turns out to be a trap, but Bugsy helps Fat Sam escape! Fat Sam is so thankful that he pays Bugsy $200. Bugsy and Blousey make up and have a romantic boat ride on a lake. Bugsy promises to take her to Hollywood.

When Bugsy returns Fat Sam's car, he gets attacked, and his money is stolen. Luckily, Leroy Smith saves Bugsy. Bugsy realizes Leroy could be a great boxer and helps him train.

Fat Sam needs Bugsy's help again after one of his men, Knuckles, is accidentally splurged by a broken gun. Bugsy doesn't want to help at first, but Fat Sam offers him $400, which is enough money for the tickets to Hollywood for Blousey. Blousey is sad when she finds out Bugsy hasn't bought the tickets yet.

Bugsy and Leroy follow Dandy Dan's men to a warehouse where the splurge guns are hidden. They can't take on the whole gang alone, so Bugsy gets a big group of workers from a soup kitchen to help.

They steal the guns and take them to Fat Sam's. Just as they arrive, Dandy Dan's gang shows up! A huge splurge gun fight breaks out, covering almost everyone in cream. Even the customers start throwing cream pies! The fight stops when the piano player falls onto the keys, hitting a single low note. Everyone, covered in cream, sings a final song called "You Give a Little Love." They realize they can all be friends, and Bugsy and Blousey finally leave for Hollywood.

Who are the Characters in Bugsy Malone?

The Music of Bugsy Malone

The songs in Bugsy Malone were written by Paul Williams. The movie's soundtrack album was first released in 1976.

Here are the songs from the movie:

• "Bugsy Malone" – Sung by Paul Williams
• "Fat Sam's Grand Slam" – Sung by Paul Williams
• "Tomorrow"
• "Bad Guys"
• "I'm Feeling Fine"
• "My Name Is Tallulah" – Sung by Louise "Liberty" Williams
• "So You Wanna Be a Boxer?"
• "Ordinary Fool"
• "Down and Out"
• "You Give a Little Love" – Sung by Paul Williams

There's also a stage version of Bugsy Malone that has a few extra songs not heard in the movie.

How Bugsy Malone Became Famous

Bugsy Malone is a much-loved movie! In 2003, viewers of Channel 4 in the UK voted it as the 19th greatest musical ever. It was even ranked higher than famous musicals like The Phantom of the Opera and Cats. In 2008, Empire Magazine listed it as one of the 500 greatest movies of all time.

The film has also been turned into a popular stage show. In 2003, a TV show called Bugsy Malone: After They Were Famous brought some of the original child actors back together, including Jodie Foster and Scott Baio.

The songs from the movie are still popular! In 2010, the band Silvery covered "You Give a Little Love." Also, Olly Murs used a part of "So You Wanna Be a Boxer?" in his song "Hold On."

In 2011, Bugsy Malone was the most shown film in secondary schools across the United Kingdom, showing how much kids still enjoy it! The song "You Give A Little Love" was even sung by a children's choir in an episode of the Netflix show Black Mirror in 2017.

The song "Ordinary Fool" has been sung by many famous artists, including Ella Fitzgerald and The Carpenters.

Bugsy Malone on Stage and in Comics

Stage Adaptation

Alan Parker, who wrote and directed the film, also wrote the story for a stage play version of Bugsy Malone. This play first opened in London's West End in 1983 and ran for 300 shows! Famous actress Catherine Zeta-Jones even played Tallulah in one of the early productions. Later, in 1997, the National Youth Music Theatre put on a version with an all-youth cast. The play has been brought back to the stage many times since then, proving how popular it remains!

Comic Book Adaptation

In 1976, the film was also turned into a comic book by Graham Thompson. This comic book was only released in the United Kingdom.

See also

In Spanish: Bugsy Malone para niños