Podcast Episode #12 Max Dugan Returns
A Neil Simon script written for the big screen, Max Dugan Returns never receives the praise it so richly deserves. Maybe it's because Simon keeps giving us hit after hit, we never really discover this gem. A widowed, down-on-her-luck teacher and mother, Nora McPhee (Marsha Mason) struggles through daily life with her son, Michael (Matthew Broderick) until she stumbles into a new love, Detective Brian Costello (Donald Sutherland), and her absentee, wanted-by-the-law father, Max Dugan (Jason Robards) show up on her doorstep. Witty banter, superb acting, and the ease of which the characters interact almost make it seem effortless. Glimpses of early Ferris (Ferris Bueller's Day Off) can be seen in Broderick's film debut. Also noteworthy, Max Dugan Returns is Donald Sutherland and Kiefer Sutherland's first time in the same film and Kiefer's film debut as a bad-boy influence for Broderick. Some things never change.
Digital Copy (Rental from Amazon)
Theme from Max Dugan Returns by David Shire
Film Trailer for Max Dugan Returns
Check out the scene with Kiefer Sutherland - Film debut (:20 seconds in)!