Mr. Saturday Night

For the musical based on this film, seeMr. Saturday Night (musical).For other uses, seeMr. Saturday Night (disambiguation).

Mr. Saturday Night
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Billy Crystal
Written by	Billy Crystal Babaloo Mandel Lowell Ganz
Produced by	Billy Crystal
Starring	Billy Crystal David Paymer Julie Warner Helen Hunt Ron Silver
Cinematography	Donald Peterman
Edited by	Kent Beyda
Music by	Marc Shaiman
Production companies	Castle Rock Entertainment New Line Cinema Face Productions
Distributed by	Columbia Pictures
Release date	September 23, 1992(1992-09-23)
Running time	119 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$43 million
Box office	$23 million

Mr. Saturday Nightis a 1992 Americancomedy-drama filmthat marked the directorial debut of its star,Billy Crystal.

It focuses on the rise and fall of Buddy Young Jr., a stand-up comedian. Crystal produced and co-wrote the screenplay with the writing duoBabaloo MandelandLowell Ganz.It was filmed from November 1991 to March 1992 and released on September 23, 1992, byColumbia Pictures.Co-starDavid Paymerreceived anAcademy Awardnomination forBest Supporting Actor.

Plot

Stand-up comedian Buddy Young Jr. became a television star with the help of his brother and manager, Stan, but alienated many of those closest to him once his career began to fade.

Through a series of flashbacks, the brothers are seen during childhood entertaining their family in the living room. The older Buddy continues his career as a comic in the primarily Jewish resorts ofthe Catskills,where he meets his future wife, Elaine.

As Buddy's fame grows, so does his ego. He hits the big time with his own Saturday night television show. But despite the warnings of his brother, Buddy uses offensive material on the air, costing him his show and causing his career to suffer, officially ending when his stand-up act on theEd Sullivan Showis scheduled right afterthe Beatles' first U.S. appearance, leading to his act being ignored and cut short. Furious over being snubbed, he goes into an offensive tirade and quits.

As an older man, long past his prime, Buddy is estranged from Stan as well as from his daughter, Susan. A chance at redemption comes when a young agent named Annie Wells finds him work and even gets Buddy a shot at a role in a top director's new film. Buddy nevertheless gives in to his own self-destructive nature, continuing to hurt his relationships with his family.

Eventually Buddy realizes how he has hurt his family and mends the relationships by giving money Stan gave him from their mother's estate to his daughter Susan and beginning to play shows at retirement homes. The show ends with his brother giving him a painting he made of the two of them as children in their parents living room where they used to entertain the family onShabbat.

Cast

• Billy Crystalas Buddy Young Jr.
• David Paymeras Stan Young
• Julie Warneras Elaine Young
• Helen Huntas Annie Wells
• Jerry Orbachas Phil Gussman
• Ron Silveras Larry Meyerson
• Mary Maraas Susan Young

Cameos

ComediansJerry Lewis,Carl Ballantine,Slappy White,andJackie Gayleappear in theNew York Friars' Clubscene.

Production

Development

Billy Crystal first originated the character of Buddy Young Jr. for a 1984HBOspecial,A Comic’s Line.On a 1985 episode ofSaturday Night Live,he made an appearance as the character during aWeekend Updatesegment."One night, the producer said, 'Johnny Cash,June CashandWaylon Jenningsare in the audience tonight — what if I put them near the Weekend Update desk?' I did [Buddy] live and I was likeDon Rickles,I just had funny interplay with them. I had no idea what I was going to say. Live! And it was really funny. And then I knew I had something. "

The opening title sequence was designed byElaine Makatura BassandSaul Bass.

Reception

Critical reception

Mr. Saturday Nightreceived mixed reviews from critics. It holds a 59% rating onRotten Tomatoesbased on 29 reviews with the consensus stating: "Billy Crystal's flawed directorial debut can't seem to decide whether it wants the viewer to love its protagonist or hate him, but it features fine work from Crystal and his co-stars".Audiences polled byCinemaScoregave the film an average grade of "A−" on an A+ to F scale.

Box office

Mr. Saturday Nightwas abox office bombin theUnited Statesand Canada, grossing $13.3 million,less than a third of its budget.It grossed $23 million worldwide.

Awards and nominations

At the65th Academy Awards,David Paymerwas nominated forBest Supporting Actor(the film's only nomination).Billy Crystalalso hosted the ceremony, during his traditionalBest Picturemedley, Crystal added the movie to the list, immediately afterwards adding the line, "I just wanted to see how it feels, so sue me."

Award	Category	Nominee(s)	Result
Academy Awards	Best Supporting Actor	David Paymer	Nominated
American Comedy Awards	Funniest Actor in a Motion Picture (Leading Role)	Billy Crystal	Nominated
Artios Awards	Outstanding Achievement in Feature Film Casting – Comedy	Pam Dixon	Nominated
Chicago Film Critics Association Awards	Most Promising Actress	Julie Warner	Nominated
Golden Globe Awards	Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy	Billy Crystal	Nominated
	Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture	David Paymer	Nominated
Political Film Society Awards	Peace		Nominated
Young Artist Awards	Best Young Actor Co-Starring in a Motion Picture	Jason Marsden	Nominated

Home media

The film was released twice on DVD, the first time on December 8, 1998, byPolyGram Video,and again on June 4, 2002, byMGM Home Entertainment.

Stage adaptation

Further information:Mr. Saturday Night (musical)

In 2021, the film was adapted into a Broadway musical, opening at theNederlander Theatrein spring of 2022. Previews began on March 29, with the show opening on April 27. Crystal reprised his role as Buddy Young Jr., thirty years after creating the role on screen. Crystal, Ganz, and Mandel penned the book, reuniting the original screenplay team, and featured a score with music byJason Robert Brownand lyrics byAmanda Green.Paymer also reprised his role as Stan. The Broadway cast also featuredRandy Graffas Elaine,Shoshana Beanas Susan, and Chasten Harmon as Annie. The musical was directed byJohn Randoand choreographed by Ellenore Scott.At the 2022Tony Awards,the musical was nominated for five awards, including Best Musical, Best Score, Best Book, Best Actor in a Musical for Crystal, and Best Featured Actress in a Musical for Bean. On July 17, 2022, the production announced its closing for September 4, 2022, after 28 previews and 116 performances.

See also

• List of American films of 1992
• The Comic

External links

• Mr. Saturday NightatIMDb
• Mr. Saturday NightatRotten Tomatoes
• Mr. Saturday NightatBox Office Mojo