Fire Sale (1977): Cast & Plot
Fire Sale is a 1977 comedy starring Rob Reiner as Russel Fikus, Kay Medford and Vincent Gardenia. It runs 1 hour 28 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 28m (88 min)
- Genre
- Comedy
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- 20th Century Fox
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Fire Sale About?
The premise of Fire Sale without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
The Fikus family is far from ordinary. Benny and Ruthie head to Florida, leaving Benny’s department store to son Russell, whom they barely respect. Russell struggles under pressure while disowned brother Ezra, a failing high‑school basketball coach, deals with a wife desperate for a baby. Chaos and humor follow as each sibling confronts his crisis.
Fire Sale Themes & Keywords
· 8 tags- father son relationship
- high school basketball coach
- wife wants to have a baby
- store owner
- father disowns son
- brother brother relationship
- husband wife relationship
- based on novel
Fire Sale Cast & Characters
Rob Reiner leads the cast as Russel Fikus, with Kay Medford as Ruth Fikus and Vincent Gardenia as Benny Fikus.
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Rob Reiner as Russel Fikus - Kay Medford as Ruth Fikus
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Vincent Gardenia as Benny Fikus -
Sid Caesar as Sherman
Also Starring in Fire Sale
· 28 more- Anjanette Comer Marion Fikus
- Alan Arkin Ezra Fikus
- Byron Stewart Captain
- William Prince Mr. Cooper (uncredited)
- Richard Libertini Painter
- Alex Rocco Al
- Bob Harks Doctor (uncredited)
- Bill Henderson Psychiatrist (uncredited)
- Don Keefer Banker
- Selma Archerd Ellie
- Raven Grey Eagle Visitor (uncredited)
- William Bogert Insurance Doctor
- MacIntyre Dixon Painter
- Sally Marr Jackie
- Oliver Clark Mr. Blossom
- Barbara Dana Virginia
Show all 32 cast members Show fewer cast members
- John Hudkins Wheelchair Patient (uncredited)
- Augusta Dabney Mrs. Cooper
- Mickey Gilbert Fireman
- Viola Harris Helen
- John Batiste M.D. #1
- Speedy Zapata Janitor
- Alan Oliney Cop
- Bob Leslie Van Driver (uncredited)
- John Hatfield Stoned Van Passenger (uncredited)
- John Horn Louis
- Sellon Kimelle Nurse
- Allen G. Norman High School Student (uncredited)
Fire Sale Plot Summary
What happens in Fire Sale from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 1-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Benny Fikus, Rob Reiner, hatches a plan to cash in on his failing clothing store by staging arson. He wants Sherman, a man in a mental hospital who still believes World War II is being fought, to escape and torch the shop, which they’ve convinced him is a Nazi military headquarters.
Full summary
The whole story of Fire Sale, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know Fire Sale?
9 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 9
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
What is the original plan Benny Fikus devises to save his failing clothing store?
Cars in Fire Sale
26 cars on screen, including the 1973 Buick Electra 225 and the 1973 Volkswagen Thing Typ 181.
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1973 Buick Electra 225 Main role -
1973 Volkswagen Thing Typ 181 Main role -
Mack L-Series Important role -
Moto Guzzi Eldorado Important role
Fire Sale Also Known As
5 alternative titles, including “Schmok” and “Es brennt an allen Ecken”.
- Also known as
-
- Schmok
- Es brennt an allen Ecken
- Se venden incendios
- Os Incendiários Estão Chegando
- 一团乱麻
Seen Fire Sale?
Movies Like Fire Sale
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Substance of Fire, The Fireman and Fire Fighters.
Fire Sale FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, cast and post-credit scenes of Fire Sale, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Fire Sale?
Fire Sale runs 1 hour 28 minutes (88 minutes).
When was Fire Sale released?
Fire Sale was released on June 9, 1977.
Who is in the cast of Fire Sale?
Fire Sale stars Rob Reiner as Russel Fikus, Kay Medford as Ruth Fikus and Vincent Gardenia as Benny Fikus, among 32 credited actors.
Does Fire Sale have a post-credit scene?
No. Fire Sale has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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