Max Dugan Returns (1983): Cast, Box Office & Plot
Max Dugan Returns is a 1983 comedy drama directed by Herbert Ross, starring Jason Robards as Max Dugan, Matthew Broderick and Marsha Mason. It runs 1 hour 38 minutes and earned $17.6 million worldwide.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 38m (98 min)
- Director
- Herbert Ross
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- 20th Century Fox
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Max Dugan Returns About?
The premise of Max Dugan Returns without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
She’s an English teacher and single mother whose daily life is a series of mishaps—rising prices, a car that won’t start, a heartless boss, leaky roof, squeaky doors, and a stereo that’s gone mono. When the estranged father who abandoned her as a child returns, Max Dugan’s unexpected presence forces her to confront the past and reshapes her chaotic world.
Max Dugan Returns Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- reference to jane austen
- reference to william thackeray
- reference to plato
- nosy neighbor
- underage smoking
- savings account
- home run
- making pancakes
- widow divorced man relationship
- high school teacher
- teacher as protagonist
- female teacher
+38 more Show fewer
- motorcycle theft
- car theft
- reference to schopenhauer
- police lieutenant
- bare chested male
- professional coach
- reference to the chicago white sox
- learning to drive a motorcycle
- person thought dead is alive
- english literature teacher
- baseball player
- father daughter reunion
- high school english teacher
- professional baseball
- grandfather grandson relationship
- following someone
- watching a video tape
- baseball
- wad of cash
- suitcase full of money
- intrusive friend
- con artist
- dating
- single father
- madcap comedy
- domestic drama
- california
- united states of america
- nevada
- single mother
- father daughter relationship
- daughter
- teacher
- mother son relationship
- volkswagen beetle
- volvo
- reference to university of michigan
- reference to hugh hefner
Max Dugan Returns Cast & Characters
Jason Robards leads the cast as Max Dugan, with Matthew Broderick as Michael McPhae and Marsha Mason as Nora McPhae. Directed by Herbert Ross; 49 actors are credited in all.
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Director Herbert Ross
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Jason Robards as Max Dugan -
Matthew Broderick as Michael McPhae -
Marsha Mason as Nora McPhae -
Donald Sutherland as Brian Costello
Also Starring in Max Dugan Returns
· 45 more- Brian Part Kevin Costello
- Shelley Morrison Mother at ball game
- Dody Goodman Mrs. Litke
- Charley Lau Charley Lau, boxing coach
- Kiefer Sutherland Bill
- David Morse Shoe Store Cop
- Thomas Rosales Jr. Robber
- Benjie Bancroft Policeman at Station
- Billie Bird Older Woman
- Santos Morales Grocer
- Tom Fridley Steve
- Panchito Gómez Luis
- George P. Wilbur Cop in Car
- Sal Viscuso Coach Roy
- Sondra Blake Teacher
- Ray Girardin Umpire
Show all 49 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Irene Olga López Grocer's Wife
- De'voreaux White Boy
- Gary Combs Policeman
- Jim Staahl Man at Shoe Store
- Mari Gorman Pat
- Tom Spratley Truck Washer
- Bradley Lieberman Boy
- Tessa Richarde Blonde at Shoe Store
- Duke Stroud Teacher
- Joey Coleman 3rd Baseman
- Dennis Crosswhite Baseball Player's Dad (uncredited)
- John Moio Policeman
- Lydia Nicole Celia
- Robert D'Arcy Cabbie
- Billy 'Pop' Atmore Baseball Player
- Howard Himelstein Shoe Store Cop
- Bill Aylesworth Chris
- Elisa Dolenko Maria
- Marc Jefferson Wendall
- Grace Woodard Maitre D'Cafe
- Ken Neumeyer Waiter
- Frank D'Annibale Bears Coach
- John Corvello Basketball Coach
- Carmen Silveroli Sr. Shoe Store Manager
- Della Thompson Student
- Ty Fredericks Student
- Kent Kreutziger Student
- Patric Z Student (as Patrick Rodriguez)
- Dorian Turner Student
More from Herbert Ross
More films directed by Herbert Ross, best-rated first: Play It Again, Sam, The Turning Point, The Goodbye Girl and Pennies from Heaven.
Max Dugan Returns Plot Summary
What happens in Max Dugan Returns from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In Venice, California, 15-year-old Michael McPhae wakes his mother, Nora McPhae, a widowed high school English teacher who has fallen asleep while grading tests. They head to school in her dilapidated Volvo, which is stolen later that morning. Detective Brian Costello offers to drive Nora to work, and when they arrive she tells her students that they will have to redo the test. Unable to afford a replacement car, Nora is lent a motorcycle by Brian, who spends the evening teaching her how to ride it.
Full summary
The whole story of Max Dugan Returns, scene by scene
Max Dugan Returns Box Office
Max Dugan Returns grossed $17.6 million worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$17.6M
- US & Canada
- $17.6M
Max Dugan Returns Videos
2 videos: 2 clips.
- Clip Matthew Broderick - Max Dugan Returns
How Well Do You Know Max Dugan Returns?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- 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
- Question 10: not answered
Who portrays the estranged father Max Dugan?
Cars in Max Dugan Returns
47 cars on screen, including the 1959 Volvo PV 544 and the 1981 Mercedes-Benz 380 SL R107.
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1959 Volvo PV 544 Main role -
1981 Mercedes-Benz 380 SL R107 Important role -
1977 Plymouth Fury Important role -
Yamaha SR 125 Important role
Max Dugan Returns Also Known As
8 alternative titles, including “Max Dugans Moneten” and “Per fortuna c'è un ladro in famiglia”.
- Also known as
-
- Max Dugans Moneten
- Per fortuna c'è un ladro in famiglia
- Návrat Maxe Dugana
- Le retour de Max Dugan
- 돌아온 맥스 듀간
- Hola Mr. Dugan
- 贵客光临
- A Volta de Max Dugan
Seen Max Dugan Returns?
Movies Like Max Dugan Returns
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Max Takes Back His Freedom, Max and Jane Want to Do Theater and Max and Jane Want to Do Theater.
Max Dugan Returns FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office and post-credit scenes of Max Dugan Returns, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Max Dugan Returns?
Max Dugan Returns runs 1 hour 38 minutes (98 minutes).
When was Max Dugan Returns released?
Max Dugan Returns was released on March 25, 1983.
Who directed Max Dugan Returns?
Max Dugan Returns was directed by Herbert Ross.
More films by Herbert Ross Who is in the cast of Max Dugan Returns?
Max Dugan Returns stars Jason Robards as Max Dugan, Matthew Broderick as Michael McPhae and Marsha Mason as Nora McPhae, among 49 credited actors.
How much did Max Dugan Returns make at the box office?
Max Dugan Returns grossed $17.6 million worldwide.
Does Max Dugan Returns have a post-credit scene?
No. Max Dugan Returns has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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