Mannequin(1987 film)

Mannequin
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Michael Gottlieb
Written by	Edward Rugoff Michael Gottlieb
Produced by	Art Levinson
Starring	Andrew McCarthy Kim Cattrall Estelle Getty G. W. Bailey
Cinematography	Tim Suhrstedt
Edited by	Richard Halsey Frank Jimenez
Music by	Sylvester Levay
Production companies	Gladden Entertainment 20th Century Fox
Distributed by	20th Century Fox
Release date	February 13, 1987(1987-02-13)(United States)
Running time	90 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$7.9 million
Box office	$42.7 million (US)

Mannequinis a 1987 Americanromantic comedyfilm directed byMichael Gottliebin his directorial debut, and written by Edward Rugoff and Gottlieb. It starsAndrew McCarthy,Kim Cattrall,Estelle Getty,James Spader,Meshach Taylor,andG. W. Bailey.Theoriginal music scorewas composed bySylvester Levay.The film revolves around a chronically underemployed passionate artist named Jonathan Switcher who lands a job as a department-store window dresser and themannequinhe created which becomes inhabited by the spirit of a woman fromAncient Egypt,but only comes alive for Jonathan.

Mannequinreceived a nomination for anAcademy Award for Best Original Songfor its main title song, "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now"byStarship,which reached number one on both theBillboardHot 100andUK Singles Chart.Both early and later critical reception has been generally negative with common criticisms being made towards the ludicrous premise and the overly farcical and sentimental tone; however, audience responses have been comparatively more positive and in the years since its release, the film has developed a cult following. In 1991, a sequel calledMannequin Two: On the Movewas released.

Plot

InAncient Egypt,Ema "Emmy" Hesire takes refuge in a pyramid, pleading to the gods that she find true love rather than enter an arranged marriage. Emmy suddenly vanishes before her mother's eyes. In 1987Philadelphia,Jonathan Switcher is a sculptor working at a mannequin warehouse and finishes a single female mannequin he considers a masterpiece. His Boss fires him for spending time trying to make his mannequins works of art rather than assembling several each day.

Jonathan takes a number of odd jobs and is fired each time for working too slowly because he tries to make each project artistic. His girlfriend Roxie Shield, an employee of the Illustra department store, dumps him, criticizing him as a flake. After his motorcycle breaks down in the rain, Jonathan passes the Prince & Company department store. Seeing his mannequin in the display window, he remarks she is the first work that made him feel like a true artist. The next morning, he saves store owner Claire Timkin from being injured by her own shop sign. Grateful, Claire orders store manager Mr. Richards (who is secretly paid by Illustra to sabotage Prince & Company so it can be bought) to give Jonathan a job. Viewed with suspicion by security guard Captain Felix Maxwell, Jonathan works with and befriends flamboyant window dresser Hollywood Montrose. When Jonathan is putting together a window display, the mannequin he made comes to life with Emmy's spirit. She says she has existed for centuries as a muse, sometimes inhabiting the works of an artist she admires and inspires. She has encountered amazing people but has never found true love. Emmy explains the gods allow her life when she and Jonathan are unobserved, otherwise she is a mannequin.

With Emmy's help, Jonathan's window display is a massive success. Now placed in charge of visual merchandising, Jonathan asks Emmy to continue helping with the displays. Over several weeks, they create several popular displays, attracting new business while also deepening their relationship. Montrose realizes Jonathan loves a mannequin he created but does not judge him. Illustra's chief executive B.J. Wert sends Roxie to poach Jonathan but he refuses, saying he now works for people who value him. Annoyed by Felix's ineptitude and Richards' attitude towards Jonathan, Claire fires them. Deeply impressed with his work, Claire makes Jonathan vice president of the department store. One night, Jonathan takes Emmy through the city on his motorcycle, despite how unusual this seems to bystanders. He is witnessed by Richards and Felix, who conclude he is deeply fixated on a female mannequin.

Richards and Felix (who now works for Illustra) steal the female mannequins from Prince & Company. The next morning, Jonathan confronts Wert about the theft, who makes another job offer. Furious over Jonathan caring so much about the mannequin he calls Emmy, Roxie storms off. Jonathan follows Roxie while being pursued by security guards including Felix. Wert and Richards demand the police be called. Roxie loads the stolen mannequins into the store's large trash compactor, then is knocked out by debris. As Hollywood holds the pursuers at bay with a fire hose, a janitor watches Jonathan jump onto the compactor's conveyor belt to save the mannequin that is Emmy. As Jonathan risks his life for her, Emmy comes to life. Once safe, she realizes she is truly and permanently alive again. Emmy thanks the gods for uniting her with her true love and Jonathan promises to love her forever.

While the janitor wonders if other mannequins will come to life, Hollywood arrives and realizes Emmy was alive the entire time. Felix and his fellow guards rush in, followed by Wert and Richards who demand the police arrest Jonathan. Claire arrives, revealing she has security video of Richards and Felix breaking and entering, and committing theft. She accuses Wert of conspiracy, and Jonathan adds the man also kidnapped Emmy. Wert fires Roxie as he is arrested and hauled away alongside Richards and Felix. Jonathan realizes the security footage may have shown him being romantic with a mannequin, but Claire coyly suggests he should not worry about that. Some time later, Jonathan and Emmy are married in the store window of Prince & Company, with Claire asmaid of honorand Hollywood as best man. Numerous pedestrians outside the store window applaud the wedding.

Cast

• Andrew McCarthyas Jonathan Switcher
• Kim Cattrallas Ema "Emmy" Hesire
• Estelle Gettyas Claire Timkin
• James Spaderas Mr. Richards
• G. W. Baileyas Captain Felix Maxwell
• Meshach Tayloras Hollywood Montrose
• Carole Davisas Roxie Shield
• Steve Vinovichas B.J. Wert
• Christopher Maheras Armand
• Andrew Hill Newman as Compactor Room Janitor

Production

Development

The idea for the film came when directorMichael Gottliebwas walking downFifth Avenueand thought he saw a mannequin move in the window ofBergdorf Goodman.Others observe the similarities to the plot of the filmOne Touch of Venus(1948).The film was made based on the marketing principles of noted Hollywood market researcher Joseph Farrell, who served as an executive producer. The film was specifically designed to appeal to target demographics. Though not a star, McCarthy was cast after tests of his films showed that he strongly appealed to girls, the target audience.

Filming

The producers contacted various state film commissions across America looking for an elegant center city department store in which to shoot the movie. They visited stores across the country before settling onJohn Wanamaker'sin Philadelphia (now Macy's Center City). The store was given the name Prince and Company for the film.Interior filming at Wanamaker's took about three weeks, with shooting usually beginning around 9 pm and going until 6 am the next day.

Additional scenes were filmed in the formal gardens behindThe Hotel Hershey.Scenes taking place at the fictitious department store Illustra were filmed at theBoscov'sdepartment store in the former Camp Hill Mall (now Camp Hill Shopping Center) nearHarrisburg, Pennsylvania.Philadelphia mayorWilson Goodeestimated the film injected $3 million into the city.

Prior to the start of filming, Cattrall spent six weeks posing for a Santa Monica sculptor, who captured her likeness. Six mannequins, each with a different expression, were made.Cattrall recalled, "There's no way to play a mannequin except if you want to sit there as a dummy [...] I did a lot of body-building because I wanted to be as streamlined as possible. I wanted to match the mannequins as closely as I could."The actress also said that doing the film made her feel "grown up":

I've become more of a leading lady instead of, like, the girl... All the other movies that I've done I played the girl, and the plot was around the guy. I've never had anybody to do special lighting for me, or find out what clothes look good on me, or what camera angles are best for me... In this movie, I learned a lot from it. It's almost like learning old Hollywood techniques... I've always been sort of a tomboy. I feel great being a girl, wearing a dress.

Music

Featured in the film, "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now"was co-written byAlbert HammondandDiane Warrenand recorded by the American rock bandStarshipin 1986. It is a duet featuring Starship vocalistsGrace SlickandMickey Thomas.It reached number one on theBillboardHot 100on April 4, 1987,and topped theUK Singles Chartfor four weeks the following month, becoming the UK's second-biggest-selling single of 1987.

Mannequin Soundtrack (by Sylvester Levay) 00. Twentieth Century Fox (00:13):

• Prologue (02:02)
• In My Wildest Dreams (complete studio) (04:24)
• My Girl (02:46)
• Making Baloons (02:13)
• Jonathan's Theme (02:08)
• Looking For A Job (00:46)
• I Have Just The Job For You (00:12)
• The Mannequin (00:53)
• Roll Over Bill Shakespeare (00:36)
• Identify Yourself (00:49)
• Don't You Like Your New Scarf (00:03)
• You Like To Work With Your Hands (00:06)
• Emmy’s Theme (00:51)
• First Window (00:33)
• Store Front (01:32)
• We Have Got Ourselves a Mission (00:18)
• Temporary Insanity (00:03)
• Chris, Who's Chris (00:41)
• Do You Dream About Me (03:48)
• Just When I Think You’re Real (00:06)
• Talk To Them (00:10)
• Oh Yes Hot Smoking (00:27)
• Flambe Terrorist (violin background) (01:50)
• Comon' Rambo (00:07)
• Full Filled Stay In The Caribbean (00:39)
• Get A Picture (00:58)
• You're Gonna Pay For That (background) (01:20)
• Department Store Fight (00:50)
• That'll Teach Em (00:15)
• Hang Gliding (01:19)
• We'll Never Dress The Mannequins In Time (00:28)
• Movin’ On Up (01:03)
• You Can't Worry What Will Happen To Us (Jonanthan's Theme 2) (00:21)
• You Personally Vouch For This Guy (00:17)
• Put Your Arms Around Me (Emmy’s Theme 2) (01:00)
• Shoe Polish On My Face (00:06)
• Expert At Surveilance (01:45)
• Harley Ride (01:02)
• It's Breath Taking (Jonathan’s Theme 3) (01:25)
• I'm In The Hands Of A Vegetable (01:55)
• Saving Emmy (00:33)
• You're Never Gonna See Her Again (05:47)
• I Always Have, I Always Will (Jonathan's Theme 4) (00:32)
• Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now (End Credits) (04:36)

Reception

Box office

The film debuted at number three at the US box office behindPlatoonandOutrageous Fortune,grossing $6 million over the four-dayPresident's Dayweekend, surpassing the other opener,Over the TopstarringSylvester Stallone.To date, the film has grossed a total of $42.7 million in the United States and Canada.

Critical response

OnRotten Tomatoes,the film has an approval rating of 20% based on 40 reviews and an average rating of 3.9/10. The site's consensus states: "Mannequinis a real dummy, outfitted with a ludicrous concept and a painfully earnest script that never springs to life, despite the best efforts of an impossibly charming Kim Cattrall. "OnMetacritic,the film has a score of 21 out of 100 based on reviews from 13 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews".Audiences surveyed byCinemaScoregave the film a grade B+ on scale of A to F.It was savaged byLeonard Maltin,who called it "absolute rock-bottom fare, dispiriting for anyone who remembers what movie comedy should be".In his print review,Roger Ebertawarded it a half star and wrote, "A lot of bad movies are fairly throbbing with life.Mannequinis dead. The wake lasts 1 1/2 hours, and then we can leave the theater. "

Rita Kempley ofThe Washington Postcalled the film "made by, for, and about dummies".Janet MaslinofThe New York Timesputs the blame on the writer-director: "as co-written and directed by Michael Gottlieb,Mannequinis a state-of-the-art showcase of perfunctory technique ".Dan McQuade, writing inPhiladelphia Magazine,referencing the film's use of Philadelphia as a setting, panned the film and wrote, "The message ofMannequin,clumsy as it is, is that the greatest place and time in recorded history is 1980s Philadelphia... Truly, this is the most uplifting film ever made about the city. "

David Cornelius ofDVD Talkwrote: "Mannequinis one of the stupidest movies ever conceived, and one of the worst. Which makes it, in its own lousy way, mesmerizing. To watch it is to get sucked in by its hypnotic ways; its very off-the-wall shoddiness is astounding. Spader alone is worth the price of admission – surely aware of the movie's badness, the actor hams it up with a deliriously over-the-top performance. "He called it" a Bad Movie Essential "but warned viewers with a lower pain threshold for bad films to" obviously skip it as it is a dreadful film ".

Though initially poorly received,Mannequinhas been cited as a romantic comedy cult classic and has managed to garner an ardent and strongcult following;its fans have praised the film's sets, costumes, supporting cast, script, and the romantic chemistry between lead actors McCarthy and Cattrall.The film is considered one of the many popular comedy films from the golden age of 1980sBrat Packfilms because it features actors Spader, Cattrall, and McCarthy who all starred in other movies of that era.Retrospective reviews have also commended the provocative and progressive portrayal of Hollywood for being an unashamedly positivehomosexualcharacter who befriends the main character and manages to be heroic in the finale.

Accolades

Award	Category	Recipients	Result
Academy Awards	Best Original Song	"Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" Music and Lyrics byAlbert HammondandDiane Warren	Nominated
ASCAP Film and Television Music Awards	Most Performed Songs from Motion Pictures		Won
Fantafestival	Best Film	Michael Gottlieb	Won
	Best Director		Won
	Best Actor	Andrew McCarthy	Won
Fantasporto	Best Film	Michael Gottlieb	Nominated
	Best Screenplay		Won
Golden Globe Awards	Best Original Song	"Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" Music and Lyrics by Albert Hammond and Diane Warren	Nominated
Grammy Awards	Best Song Written Specifically for a Motion Picture or Television		Nominated

Home media

Mannequinwas released onVHS,Betamax,and digital stereoLaserDiscformat in September 1987 by Cannon Films throughMedia Home Entertainment.The film was released on DVD byMGM Home Entertainmenton October 7, 2004, in a widescreen Region 1 DVD, and was later re-released to DVD on January 16, 2008, in a newdouble featureedition withMannequin Two: On the Moveas the second disc.Mannequinwas released on Blu-ray for the first time by Olive Films (under license from MGM) on November 3, 2015.

Sequels and legacy

In 1991, a sequel calledMannequin Two: On the Movewas released and was directed byStewart Raffill.The sequel was dubbed as "one of the worst follow-ups ever made".In 2010, Gladden Entertainment executives were said to be in the "early development" stage of the remake, envisioning a plot of the man crushing on a "laser display hologram"as opposed to a mannequin.However, no further details were made public about its development.An original mannequin prop was located by Philadelphia brandSouth Felliniin 2019 and has been placed on display in the company's boutique.The film was also parodied byJames CordenandVictoria Beckhamin 2017 onThe Late Late Show with James Cordenas a precursor to theCarpool Karaokesegment.

External links

• MannequinatIMDb
• MannequinatAllMovie
• Mannequinat theTCM Movie Database
• Mannequinat theAFI Catalog of Feature Films
• MannequinatBox Office Mojo
• MannequinatRotten Tomatoes