A working-class boy falls for a girl from a wealthy family, and must compete for her with a rich boy who also wants her.A working-class boy falls for a girl from a wealthy family, and must compete for her with a rich boy who also wants her.A working-class boy falls for a girl from a wealthy family, and must compete for her with a rich boy who also wants her.
William H. Macy
- Bronski
- (as W.H. Macy)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaFoolin' Around (1980) and Somewhere in Time (1980) were the first theatrical feature films of actor William H. Macy where he was billed in both as "W.H. Macy". Somewhere in Time (1980) released first stateside in early October 1980 prior to Foolin' Around (1980) premiering in the USA about a fortnight later mid October 1980.
- Quotes
Daggett - a retired tycoon, Susan's grandfather: [Daggett to Wes] Your dog can be a friend, booze can be your friend, but if you have a girl for a friend you'll end up drunk kissing your dog.
- Alternate versions"Videotape versions of the film are ten minutes shorter" according to the American film guide publication 'Rating the Movies'.
- SoundtracksFoolin' Around
Music and lyrics by Jim Seals and Charles Bernstein
Performed by Seals and Crofts
Featured review
Hilarious, Old-Time Film With Great Supporting Performances
This little seen film, which I caught for the first time over twenty years ago, is a wonderful throwback to 1930's screwball comedy in more ways than one. Young hick (Busey) starts college at the University of Minnesota, and falls in love with debutante O'Toole, despite her mother's intentions to marry her to society dolt Calvin. What ensues are a series of pratfalls and slapstick bits that, while not terribly deep, are nonetheless quite funny. More importantly, Busey and O'Toole are so damn likeable, you really do want them to fall in love.
But, like all great 1930s comedies, what makes the film sparkle is not the lead performances (in the 30s, these were usually played by likeable ingenues without much depth), but by the character actors who formed the background for the story. This film is no different in that the film is practically stolen from the leads by three splendid supporting performances -- Cloris Leachman as O'Toole's society-conscious mother, Eddie Albert as O'Toole's crusty grandfather and Busey's boss, and especially Tony Randall as Leachman's butler. Randall's performance deserves special note because his stiff demeanor is beautifully contrasted with his profane and off-color dialogue (the final words we hear from him, behind closed doors, almost made me fall off my chair laughing).
While no masterpiece, this is a wonderful picture to watch if you'd like a brief look at a long lost style of filmmaking.
But, like all great 1930s comedies, what makes the film sparkle is not the lead performances (in the 30s, these were usually played by likeable ingenues without much depth), but by the character actors who formed the background for the story. This film is no different in that the film is practically stolen from the leads by three splendid supporting performances -- Cloris Leachman as O'Toole's society-conscious mother, Eddie Albert as O'Toole's crusty grandfather and Busey's boss, and especially Tony Randall as Leachman's butler. Randall's performance deserves special note because his stiff demeanor is beautifully contrasted with his profane and off-color dialogue (the final words we hear from him, behind closed doors, almost made me fall off my chair laughing).
While no masterpiece, this is a wonderful picture to watch if you'd like a brief look at a long lost style of filmmaking.
- chrstphrtully
- Jun 12, 2003
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Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Fooling Around
- Filming locations
- 1350 Nicollet Avenue, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA(exteriors: construction site)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
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