Radio Days
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| Radio Days | |
|---|---|
 Radio Days theatrical poster |
|
| Directed by | Woody Allen |
| Produced by | Robert Greenhut |
| Written by | Woody Allen |
| Narrated by | Woody Allen |
| Starring | Mia Farrow Julie Kavner Dianne Wiest Danny Aiello Tony Roberts Jeff Daniels |
| Music by | Dick Hyman |
| Cinematography | Carlo Di Palma |
| Editing by | Susan E. Moore |
| Distributed by | Orion Pictures |
| Release date(s) | January 30, 1987 |
| Running time | 85 min. |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $16,000,000 USD |
| IMDb profile | |
Radio Days is a 1987 film directed by Woody Allen. The film looks back on American family life during the Golden Age of Radio.
Allen narrates the stories of his youth, although he is never seen by the audience. The young Allen is portrayed onscreen by Seth Green as "Joe".
Contents |
[edit] Featured cast
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Danny Aiello | Rocco |
| Woody Allen | The Narrator |
| Leah Carrey | Grandma |
| Jeff Daniels | Biff Baxter |
| Larry David | Communist Neighbor |
| Mia Farrow | Sally White |
| Seth Green | Joe |
| Kitty Carlisle Hart | Maxwell House (coffee) radio jingle singer |
| Paul Herman | Burglar |
| Julie Kavner | Mother |
| Diane Keaton | New Year's Singer |
| Judith Malina | Mrs. Waldbaum |
| William Magerman | Grandpa |
| Kenneth Mars | Rabbi Baumel |
| Josh Mostel | Abe |
| Tony Roberts | "Silver Dollar" Emcee |
| Rebecca Schaeffer | Communists' Daughter |
| Wallace Shawn | Masked Avenger |
| Mike Starr | Burglar |
| Don Pardo | "Guess That Tune" host |
| Michael Tucker | Father |
| Dianne Wiest | Bea |
| Kenneth Welsh | Radio voice |
[edit] Synopsis
The Narrator (Woody Allen) tells us how the radio influenced his childhood in the days before the TV. In the New York City of the late 1930s to the New Year of 1944, this coming-of-age tale mixes the Narrator's experiences with contemporary anecdotes and urban legends of the radio stars.
Even though the Narrator's Jewish-American family lives modestly in the Queens neighborhood of Rockaway Beach, each member finds in radio shows an escape from reality through the gossip of celebrities, sports legends of the day, crooners, etc. For the Narrator, the action adventurers on the radio (one of them based on The Shadow) inspire him, as he daydreams about his attractive replacement teacher, movie stars, and World War II. Meanwhile, the story of an aspiring radio star's (Mia Farrow) career is also told, along with the tale of the Narrator's aunt Bea (Dianne Wiest) and her search for love.
The musical score features classic songs from the 1930s and 40s, which play an important part in the plot. Even Orson Welles's famous radio broadcast of The War of the Worlds has an important role in Bea's life.
While having similarities to both Manhattan and Fellini's Amarcord, this film is Woody Allen's homage to his beloved New York City.
[edit] Awards and nominations
[edit] 1988 Academy Awards (Oscars)
- Nominated – Best Achievement in Art Direction:
Art Direction: Speed Hopkins — Set Decoration: Carol Joffe, Leslie Bloom, George de Titta, Jr. - Nominated – Best Original Screenplay: Woody Allen
[edit] 1988 BAFTA Film Awards
- Won – Best Costume Design : Jeffery Kurland
- Won – Best Production Design: Santo Loquasto
- Nominated – Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Dianne Wiest
- Nominated – Best Editing: Susan E. Morse
- Nominated – Best Film: Robert Greenhut, Woody Allen
- Nominated – Best Screenplay Original: Woody Allen
- Nominated – Best Sound: Robert Hein, James Sabat, Lee Dichter
[edit] 1988 Writers Guild of America Awards
- Nominated – WGA Screen Award for Best Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen: Woody Allen
