Melvin and Howard
“Poor Melvin. All he wanted was to be Milkman of the Month. Instead, he lost his job, his truck, and his wife. Then Howard Hughes left him $156,000,000.”
Synopsis
The story of hard-luck Melvin Dummar, who claimed to have received a will naming him an heir to the fortune of Howard Hughes. Inspired by real events.
Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes
Official promotional previews, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive clips.
Mary Steenburgen winning Best Supporting ActressOfficial
Type: Featurette • Published 2010-10-29
Top Cast
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Paul Le Mat
Melvin Dummar
Mary Steenburgen
Lynda Dummar
Jason Robards
Howard Hughes
Elizabeth Cheshire
Darcy Dummar
Chip Taylor
Clark Taylor
Melvin E. Dummar
Bus Depot Counterman
Michael J. Pollard
Little Red
Denise Galik
Lucy
Gene Borkan
Go-Go Club Owner #1
Lesley Margret Burton
Go-Go Dancer
Wendy Lee Couch
Go-Go Dancer
Marguerite Baierski
Go-Go Dancer
Janice King
Go-Go Dancer
Deborah Ann Klein
Go-Go Dancer
Theodora Thomas
Go-Go Dancer
Gloria Grahame
Mrs. Sisk
Elise Hudson
Easy Street Singer ("Rocky")
Robert Ridgely
Wally "Mr. Love" Williams
Release History & Theatrical Window
September 19, 1980
Wide Cinema Exhibition
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Jonathan Demme
- Screenplay & Story
- Bo Goldman
- Original Score
- Bruce Langhorne
- Original Title
- Melvin and Howard
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 35m
- Production Studios
- Universal Pictures
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Jonathan Demme
Bo Goldman
Bruce Langhorne
Tak Fujimoto
Craig McKay
Art Linson, Don Phillips
Department Leadership Roster
Jonathan Demme
Director
Bo Goldman
Writer
Bruce Langhorne
Original Music Composer
Tak Fujimoto
Director of Photography
Art Linson
Producer
Don Phillips
Producer
Toby Carr Rafelson
Production Design
Craig McKay
Editor
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
R: Restricted — Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
International Certification Matrix
FSK 12 — Restricted to viewers aged 12 and older.
Restricted — Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Melvin and Howard.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring Melvin and Howard.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Melvin and Howard
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Melvin and Howard about?
The story of hard-luck Melvin Dummar, who claimed to have received a will naming him an heir to the fortune of Howard Hughes. Inspired by real events.
Who directed Melvin and Howard?
Melvin and Howard was directed by Jonathan Demme.
Who stars in Melvin and Howard?
The principal cast of Melvin and Howard includes Paul Le Mat, Mary Steenburgen, Jason Robards, Elizabeth Cheshire, Chip Taylor.
When was Melvin and Howard released and how long is it?
Melvin and Howard was released in 1980 with a total runtime of 1h 35m.
Who composed the musical score for Melvin and Howard?
The original motion picture soundtrack for Melvin and Howard was composed by Bruce Langhorne.
What is the age rating and content advisory for Melvin and Howard?
Melvin and Howard holds official age classifications: DE: 12 (FSK 12 — Restricted to viewers aged 12 and older.); US: R (Restricted — Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.).